Week 6 Comics and Graphic Novels Topic

This week I started having a look at the optional topic, the Comic Book, which I am thrilled was an option because I adore comic books so I feel like this topic is just going to be an utter enjoyment for me. First of all I need to define what a comic actually is.

By definition, a comic is a sequential novel that employs the use of extravagant imagery and speech bubbles to convey a story. At least, this is what I believed until I had a look at Reading 7 and Sabin’s definition of what a comic was. I realized that I had not put enough thought into my definition of a comic, so I decided to change it a bit and I came up with this instead.
A comic is a sequential novel that tells a story through the use of imagery and, but not in all cases, text. It can be a single image or multiple images. It is a publication in its own book form or it can be displayed in newspapers, magazines, etc.

Which I am happier with by far, after this I had a look at the history of the comic and was quite intrigued by the “Golden Age of Comics”. The Golden Age of Comics refers to a period in comic book history, from the late 1930s until the late 1940s, where the modern comic book was first published. During this time there was a surge of popularity of the comic. Also the archetype of the superhero was created and defined. Many of the most famous super heroes were created during this period, including Superman and Wonder Woman.

I also had a look at the founding father of the comic, Winsor McCay. Winsor McCay’s “Little Nemo” comic strip, with its world of magic, fantasy and dreams, as well as the inventive use of frames and page layout played a major role in the development of the comic.

I think that this is enough for this week. I may have a look at the bookmaking interlude, the Stick and Elastic Band Book later on this week and I will post up some photos of what I come up with, hooray!! Time for coffee and a snooze I think. Not really, I still have far too much work to do. However I have found this topic to be both fun and very informative so far. I am grasping the topic well.