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.