Review on understanding comics by Scoot McCloud

Under standing comics by Scott McCloud is a very well illustrated book. The author of the book has written the this book in a very  out of the box thinking  format. He has written the book in the form of a comic strip, which is definitely unorthodox as well as daring. The way author explains understanding comics is based on what is the basic of creating comics  and  what it really is. As Scott explains us that comics are basically sequential art . He further explains us regarding the icons used in the comics and their importance. Scott McCloud also brings out an important point that words are also considered as Icons in comics and further explores why we get so involved in the comics. Going further into detail he also talks about the percentage of the scene that a character covers the scene panel. He also discusses the importance of consistency and how it is important for us as comic artist. He points out that in a 3 panel page if we don’t show a consistency of action then, the reader will be lost and will be confused regarding the  context and the narrative. One example he had provided was  the a bird flying.  And a child aiming at a bird to practice his aim. In a similar fashion he talks about another technique used by the artist called moment to moment techniques, where he draws our attention to different panels to show how artists build up an moment to set the mood  and show the importance of the moment. Overall the book is very impressive as it makes it easier for  students, and beginners to understand the basics of comics how comics works with its principles and different techniques applied. And it is most impressive way to help students understand  about comics.

Review on The Arrival by Shaun Tan

After reading , the Arrival by Shuan Tan, I was very surprised to read such a well illustrated graphic novel. Whenever the word comic is first uttered by anyone, i automatically think of the discription of a book, with images, a narrative and some dialogues. However,  this comic , which had been illustrated  so well with such a brilliant narrative storyline would have been wasted if the artist had given it any dialogues. 

As I understand it, the plot revolves around main protagonist  who along with his family leave their country in search for more peaceful life style. The illustrations that are created here are stunning and are well visualized. Even the changing shape of clouds, and rendering of the  darker and lighter shades of the shadows is well created.  Unlike other comics, Shaun Tan, has applied his skills of anatomy and  study of light and shadows  in a more realistic manner. It would not be too farfetched to  say this comic, The arrival, could also transcend into different mediums such as a silent movie, or a short TV show. The  narrative of the arrival, is quite a serious  aspect of the comic, as it could be interpreted into many event and connect with different viewer in different perspective. Some may  relate to it as the immigration process back when US was newly found. while others may place it into their their own perspective.

As per my view, I like to see it as, a journey of a man, who had lost his family along the way of them leaving  their homeland. And thier struggles to find each other in the new, unfamiliar place where they dont know the language, and over coming the language barrier by  sharing his rough drawings with strangers to have a better understanding of what he looks for.