Category: Student Posts

The process of making this comic was a unique one. Starting with the assignment of writing the text version of the narrative was an essay I had never tried before. Then converting it into a short comic was even more of a challenge. I debated for a while over what to include and how to include it. I finally decided to focus mainly on the part of my narrative that talked about my first comics/graphic novels; it seemed relevant. After trying to sketch a few different character types, I got the idea to draw it in the same style as the first graphic novel: Bone. The odd white figures seem out of place to most people but I think it really added to the tone, for me at least. My first draft had a really confusing panel structure- we had just finished reading Palestine by Joe Sacco and his dense illustration style must have influenced me. I got critiques on it in the group review session but I knew it was coming. I changed the structure to more panels and now I think the comic works much better and reads more fluently.

I really enjoyed doing the assignment because it was fun not only to remember all those days reading comics, but I really liked the cartooning part, especially since I was able to imitate the Bone style.

Through the process of creating this comic book, I learned a number of things. First, writing comics is HARD WORK and extremely time-consuming. Unlike an essay, which you can go back and change during the revision stages, changing a panel within your comic means changing the REST of the panels in your comic. This can be a tedious and frustrating process. However, this process helped me learn and acquire a deeper understanding of comics and their subtleties. It definitely allowed me to develop a newfound appreciation for comics and comic book writers. It’s interesting how they have a reputation of being frivolous and juvenile, when they are in fact extremely complex and multi-faceted beneath the surface level. Comics make for a very stimulating reading experience in my opinion, and I hope readers of my comic would say the same!

*Will fully write when reflection post is up to have more clear idea of what to write*

This was a tough process full of windy roads and constant doubts.

But we made it.

Literacy Narrative: The Comic

When I first was told of this assignment, I immediately knew I wanted to incorporate this aspect. I initially thought I would stay close to the text, but after going over sketching and outlining I decided to take a lighter approach. Unlike the comics we have read for class thus far, I chose to incorporate color. Whenever I think back to my youth, I had always associated comics with superheroes and bright colors, so I wanted to do so in my own comics. One thing I didn’t anticipate in regard to coloring is the sheer amount of time it takes to properly shade in a panel; let alone sketching. All in all the time spent on each panel was a little over an hour. However, there was no burden in completing this assignment. I can honestly admit this was the first time, I have ever felt in any capacity like a true artist. It has been extremely gratifying and has allowed me to garner great respect even for the lowest of craftsman. If nothing else, I have a new found admiration for artists dedication and frequent excellence.

Returning my own experience, I wanted the comic to be lighthearted and imaginative. I wanted to challenge myself by limiting speech to its absolute concision. In doing so, I was required to carefully draw and shade. I chose predominantly primary colors in order to highlight each of the different aspects within the panels. I was somewhat limited in the number of shades I had, but chose the most fitting for each section.

In regard to story structure, I did my best to ensure its simplicity due to the comic’s lack of linguistic expression. I began the story right outside the tour bus, so the reader would understand some background and help guide the time lapse. I then took the story into their seats where the main character would spend the most of his time. The first seated panel depicts a breaking off of a likely previous conversation in order for either individual to read or relax. The next panel focuses in on the main character opening the book and a new world. The large bottom panel then shows the book emanating light as if commencing a magical encounter. The next page begins with a panel showing his imagination bubble emerging, but not with any content yet. The subsequent panel depicts the main character closing his eyes after reading the material, and envisioning people from the story. The large middle section shows the main character transported to the world of the story in a large landscape. After that, the character is nudged awake then told they have arrived in New York.