Well, I thought these images were interesting, to say the least. It seems as though our friendly neighborhood Spiderman has met up with a real-life figure: Barack Obama. Art imitating life?
Anyway, I remember that a few days ago in class we were discussing comics, a medium that is often overlooked in favor of books and TV. Yet comics, in the past and the present, seem to have been good reflections of society and culture. Comic book writers are often able to depict situations and explore problems that they could not have in the real world by using metaphors. For example, the persecuted X-Men have been used at various times to represent minorities in race and religion. Cloak and Dagger are two heroes who fight in the "war on drugs", and the Spiderman comic was one of the first to explore the negative effects of drug use. In addition, don't the comics of a certain period reveal its essential characteristics and outlook? During WWII, Superman became immensely popular, while today's uncertain times have resulted in Batman's resurgence.
Although some people tend to look down on comics, isn't it clear that they have a significant impact on society? They explore situations and ideas that are central to human nature. I'm sure that we're all aware of the Justice League, but some might not know that an alternate, "evil" version of the League exists (the Crime Syndicate of America). This alternate version occurred when the League's heroes took their vision of justice too far and started to use some more "questionable" methods, eventually becoming oppressive and dictatorial. Perhaps that sounds a little familiar, justifying the means with the ends?
Aren't the comics a medium where we can explore ideas in a different world, play with those thoughts and see where we end up?
Thoughts?
(PS: I hope you guys are going to the Interact Poetry Slam! It's at 6:30 to 8:30 on Monday night, and email me at ericwei@comcast.net the title and author of your poem.)
(Eric Wei)
7 comments:
I agree that we can go in all sorts of directions with comic books, but isn't that the same thing with literature in general? You can make up any sort of situation in a book and still have the same sort of concepts that comic books have. Actually, when I read a comic book, I can imagine how easily it can turn into a novel.
I think that the reason why so many people look down on comic books is because of its structure. People usually connect pictures with few words with children. Think about it. That's how we all begin reading. Comic books seem to be viewed in the same category as that. Therefore, people tend to shy away from comic books and try to find a good book with the same sort of cultural reflection. The simplicity involved with reading comic books discourages many older readers, despite its content.
Comics can be used to spread awareness among young people. My younger brother was once obsessed with Spiderman and insisted that he purchase a complementary costume. He would make sure to wear it upon the arrival of guests and claim to be a "good guy". He fought against criminals, just like Spiderman.
Who doesnt enjoy pictures? And words? Think of them in combination! This type of artform is perfect for the subliminal spreading of messages. After all, there's a part of us that wants to be a super hero. Just like books such as Twilight and Harry Potter, we read comics to find idealism..well, an odd kind of idealism. We acknowledge that there is trouble in our world, but we hope that there is someone watching out for us.
(Sam Maliha)
Though I didn't take part in this class discussion (I believe I was making up a vocab quiz.. or maybe that was the day I was out?) I find it hard to believe that anyone would say that comics are an ignored medium. Haven't the past few summer blockbusters proved to us that graphic novels and comics are becoming some of the hottest sources for big-screen adaptations? With Watchmen as one of the most anticipated films at the moment, it's hard to believe that comics are ignored.
In fact, Time did an article on the rise of graphic novels and comics a little while back (I'm thinking June-July?) following the big-screen debut of Wanted. Of course, there are always the more family-friendly comic book heroes to consider, such as Batman and Spiderman. But there has definitely been a spike in popularity for newer works from less mainstream artists such as Mark Millar. This is due to the fact that comic books are becoming, as you noted, reflective of an increasingly more complex society. Thus, you'll have the morals being transmitted through the work, but also social commentary and criticism. As Mike Mignola (Creator of Hellboy) says, "Kids aren't kids anymore. They're so exposed to everything. They wouldn't accept really simplistic superheroes."
Tiffany, when Eric says that comics are "a medium that is often overlooked," I think he is specifically referring to comic BOOKS (or graphic novels), rather than the movie adaptations of these written mediums. Clearly, in the past few years, comics in general or the stories they provide are not anywhere near "ignored," as there have been countless movies based off of them (as you noted). However, there seems to be much less "hype" about the books or novels themselves. As far as I know, while many teenagers choose to watch "Spiderman," "X-Men," or "The Dark Knight" in theaters, a significantly smaller number of teens choose to read these comics. I think this is the point that Eric was trying to make (and please, Eric, correct me if I'm wrong).
Anyway, I feel as if comics DO have an impact on society. The metaphors and themes they utilize cause us (or at least those of us who enjoy them) to think about what message is being conveyed or what idea stands out. On the contrary, though, is it maybe more fitting to say that SOCIETY has an impact on COMICS? I need to think about this one for a minute...
I personally am quite intrigued by how comics have changed over the years as society has grown more complex. I agree with the creator of "Hellboy": kids truly ARE no longer satisfied with simplistic superheroes. It seems as if they have become increasingly demanding of comic plot-lines or characters. Or perhaps it's just that, lately, more young adults and/or more older adults have found an interest in comics or their movie adaptations, as opposed to simply "kids" paying attention to them?
What's for certain is that "superhero movies" have evolved to a whole new level which may actually favor older audiences over younger audiences. In fact, for many such movies, "superhero movie" is not even the most appropriate name. Rather, movies like "V for Vendetta" or "The Dark Knight" would more appropriately be named "anti-hero movies." Also among this category would be "Watchmen," in which the masked vigilante named Rorschach displays key characteristics of an anti-hero, one of which Eric actually mentioned: belief in the idea that "the ends justify the means." As you may recall from the "Watchmen" trailer, Rorschach says, "The world will look up and shout 'Save us!'... and I'll whisper 'No'." A quote like this makes you think, doesn't it? It sure intrigues me...
(Janet Lee)
I think that the impacts of graphic novels were much more significant before the wide spread of Internet. Surely, before Internet was developed for more common users, there weren't that many sources which teenagers could communicate (more easily)with the outside world. The fact that current popular movies such as Batman or Spiderman come from comic books that were created many years ago shows that in today's society there are more alternative mediums for teens to connect with others. (Pokemon and Yugioh are more popular as TV series than as in comic books,I think)
There are various themes present in all sorts of comic books. Certainly there are those that carry important messages to the audience while others contain 'junk or waste'. Similar to how we cannot call all works of literature 'great', I don't think we can classify all graphic novels to have messages implying various social issues. However, the comics that make it big are usually the ones with important social messages that can reach a diverse audience.
(Jennifer Park)
While I can't claim that I'm well informed when it comes to comics, I can relate it to an interview I heard on the radio a few weeks ago. It was talking about how we like to go to movies because they show us a life where good always triumphs over evil. This is also true in the majority of comic books. In a world where many people don't have faith in humanity and our future, people need a hero, and this is where we can find it. In comic books, movies, movies ABOUT comic books, we're provided with an example of a world where the bad guys lose. And it's not too hard to ingest, pictures and a few words, or moving pictures. It's almost a relief that there is a possibility that such a world exists somewhere.
I apologize if this isn't exactly coherent. I haven't slept in 30 hours and this is the first thing I haven't had to translate.
(Megan West)
Regarding comics, I am a fan of Calvin and Hobbes. I have read Calvin and Hobbes practically since I learned to read, but it has only been in the past few years that I have realized the philosophical undertone in much of what Calvin and Hobbes say. Yes, granted, Calvin is an underachiever who would rather play in the snow, torture Susie, or clone himself, but some of the things he says are quite profound. This is because Calvin is based on John Calvin, and Hobbes is based on Thomas Hobbes. It fascinates me how Bill Watterson managed this and made it such an interesting comic. But maybe that's the art of it all... Anyway, I found this website regarding the connection between Calvin and Hobbes and their 17th century counterparts (it's quite interesting): http://www.dailyrepublican.com/calvin-hobbes.html.
Another thought... I think that some adults are still drawn to comic books like Calvin and Hobbes because they are deeper and more thought-provoking than child books, but they are funny, too.
Emily T.
Post a Comment