Peanuts 1960's Collection

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the Peanut's 1960 collection. The characters and the way the artist creates such strong and rich personalities in  these children is just purely entertaining and sweet. We have Linus, who is very much the kid brother. He is a bit naive and ignorant but sweet and means well. Then we have Lucy, who is very much the older sister. She has the strongest, and loudest personality. She's tough, and can be a bit sassy. We have Snoopy, the lovable and silly dog of Charlie Brown, and then of course, Charlie Brown himself. Charlie Brown is the cynical, introverted one. I think the reason why I was so amused by Peanuts, is because of the individuality each character had. In each strip, you got more personality and development of these characters. I was really brought in o the story by the unique voices of these characters. It definitely has more of an adult tone to it. It is witty and sarcastic. I really liked how this is a world of children, and it does have a sense of a children world, especially since no adults are ever seen, but the dialogue for each character is just so rich and funny, that it is tremendously difficult to not eat the strips up.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

I learned a lot of interesting elements in to understanding comics. What I found the most compelling was the different way the Japanese comics are not only made, but how they are read, and what they are focused on. In the East, comics are considered much more of an art form, rather than just a form of entertainment or amusement. They focus more on a moment or a present that does not have a specific goal or even push the story forward, yet it is a moment that makes you feel. I find this interesting because over here in the West, comics are best known for being solely a form of entertainment. I am not saying that comics used solely as entertainment is a negative thing, but it could be used much more abstractly if wanted. This to me is a key element in the purpose of comics to begin with. The writer talks about how comics simplify pieces to focus more in detail. This is most likely one of the reasons why the medium of comics is so popular and why, even though the Japanese create their comics differently, focus more on the meaning versus the goal of the characters. Although, the Japanese view these "simple" comics as beneath the "art" that they categorize comics as. I think this is interesting because ultimately the point of comics mean the same to both the West and the East. Most comics are created for a point, not to just entertain. It is for the same reason that any other medium of story is created.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

What is really great about reading a piece of work without any words is that there is no confused perspectives or worn down plots. Everything is straight to the point. It's simple, but more beautiful and honest in a way. It was interesting that a running theme throughout the story was that this man who migrated to this new place with a new culture and language could not communicate. Yet, we were not given this information through words but simply character expression and juxtaposition. There was a sincerity in the comparison of the story itself and also how it was told. There were a lot of simple, yet clever transitions in The Arrival. The story starts with these 'clips' of items that seem random but also important. Then, we receive the bigger picture...literally, and see all of these small items that could be in a photo book or scrap books, sit unscaled in this beautiful yet sad look of a family. The man puts these belongings in to a trunk and rests his hands on top of it. The next illustration is of the wife's hand resting on the man's. Not only are these transitions smooth, and carry the story seamlessly, but they also are great tools used to show the emotion and story behind these characters.

Another element to think about how Shaun Tan was able to tell such a delightful story using no words is what he choses to focus on. This is a book that pulls you in, and you are unable to hesitate because you are immediately going on this somewhat heartbreaking journey with this man. You cannot get lost within mumbo jumbo like some books. You are living this life alongside him. There are some stories where people are unable to attach to because they do not feel immediately connected to the character. Sometimes that is not necessarily the author's fault but the reader themselves, but using The Arrival as an example...I have been to two foreign countries in my life, but I was just a visitor. I could not imagine, using my own mind, what it would feel like to have to uproot your life, be away from your family, and live and work in a foreign country and culture, but The Arrival made me know exactly what it is like. At least through his own perspective, which in my opinion seems to be a universal feeling.