Understanding Comics the Invisible Art
by Scott McCloud is an illustrated guide through the making, observing and understanding of visual forms.
Hardcopy of the book may be purchased from the campus book store, or borrowed from the campus library.
There is a FREE version of the entire book in PDF form by linking onto the title.
The PDF is FREE, however will take some time to download.
Save it to your desktop.
Class discussion will occur on Mondays.
It is expected that each student be prepared by reading the full chapter before hand and prepare yourself with at least 5 talking points and the answers to the following questions.
Your participation in discussion is not only valued, but as well, important to your on going development as a visual thinking and communicator, and your class grade!
Copy your class notes and submit to me at the conclusion of each Monday's discussion.
questions
chapter 1
Setting the record straight p.2
i. What is a medium?
ii. What is McCloud’s dilemma regarding the interpretation of comics?
iii. According to the author, what are the differences between pictures and comics?
iv. Why is it difficult to interpret comics? Explain
v. What definition does McCloud suggest?
vi. Explain how time operates in comics according to McCloud.
vi. Explain how time operates in comics according to McCloud.
vii. What are the ancient civilizations that he points to in setting the record straight that provide us with some of the earliest forms of visual comic structures?
chapter 2
Vocabulary of comics p.28
Choose three areas you found interesting from this chapter. Vocabulary of comics p.28
Prepare to discuss your talking points with the class.
chapter 3
Blood in the Gutter p.60
i. Regarding comics what is meant by the 'gutter'?
ii. What is meant by the cell?
iii. What happens between them?
iv. Discuss the concept of closure in comics.
v. According to McCloud, what is meant by transition in comics. Choose one you find interesting, why?
vi. On page 84-85 there is a visual story being told. What is it about and what is the point behind it?
chapter 4
Time Frames p.94
i. In terms of the concept of time, is each frame a single moment? Discuss
ii. In comics is time and space one and the same? Explain
iii. How does changing the exterior edge of panel's shape affect time?
iv. How is motion visualized in comics?
v. What happens with the addition of words to a cell / panel? Explain how it effects time.
Bring in two extra talking points you wish to share with the class.
chapter 5
Living in Line p. 118
i. How is visible and invisible phenomena made visual via the use of lines?
ii. How can emotions be described visually?
iii. How can backgrounds and environments assist with the comprehending of space?
iv. Word balloons and lettering often illustrate a variety of emotions - bring in two specific examples from our text.
chapter 6
Show and Tell p.138
i. Explain how words and images combined in describing the world that McCloud attributes to historic story telling.
ii. According to the author, children are expected to "combine words and pictures" as long as they do what?
iii. Name the seven types of picture/word combinations. Explain their differences.
iv. Of these 7, which one seems the most active to you? Why?
Bring in two extra talking points you wish to share with the class.
chapter 7
The Six Steps p.162
i. According to McCloud, does he consider comics art? Explain.
ii. What are The Six Steps? How do they differ?
iii. What is the creative process in the creation of the Six Steps?
iv. What step sets the shape for the artist/designer to decide if the work will be described in a 2D, 3D work, song, movie, comic, book?
v. What is the essential question at the core of the creative process as described by McCloud?
chapter 8
A Word About Color p.185
i. As color was added to newspaper media, what two things increased?
ii. What is communicated more clearly in black and white?
iii. What types of colors were superheroes printed in? Why?
iv. What are the benefits of the addition of color in images?
Bring in two extra talking points you wish to share with the class.
chapter 9
Putting It All Together p. 195
i. In this chapter we have the opportunity to reflect back through the information of the entire book.
Which concept do you find the most interesting, and why?
Do any still confuse you? Discuss.
ii. After the completion of this book, what major ideas have you learned about comics?
Please list them.
iii. Describe the visual and conceptual processes that comics use to communicate ideas from one person to another.
And finally,
iv. Following the read of McCloud's Understanding Comics, do you see comics differently now? Explain.
v. Using the attributes we now understand with the world of comics, what other visual examples can you think of that have similar ways of conveying ideas?
Name them and explain.
