writer's block at the best possible time.
aaah, i'm supposed to write a huge paper by wednesday at the latest, and i don't know where to begin, or which topic to use..help?!
1)Many of the comic book creators whose work we have read deliberately chose to tell their tales in black and white rather than color. Why do you think employing monochromatic design in a comic makes storytelling more effective (or less effective)? How do creators like Terry Moore and Frank Miller utilize stark contrast and shifting levels of black and white to alter a reader's mood? Alternately, why is color essential for the full effect in comics?
2) Comics (and superheroes in particular) represent a modern evolving mythology similar to the ancient tales told in Greek and other cultures or perhaps like the literary heroes of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Argue for or against this notion, and use specific examples of classic myths and/or literary texts, as well as comic readings.
3) Many of the most memorable comic characters from the likes of Superman and Spiderman to Becky and Enid of Ghost World have now been immortalized in film adaptations. Why do you think comics provide such attractive fodder for Hollywood? How well does a film capture a comic book story? What similarities and difference are there between the two media, and when is one more effective than the other?
4) Choose a particular recurring motif in Watchmen, whether it is a visual symbol, a shape, a color, or other pattern, and analyze its many uses relative to the unfolding story. How do Moore and Gibbons use repetition and duality to reinforce the themes of the series? You can also focus on a pair of characters and their relationship rather than static symbols.
5) Several contemporary comic book creators like Terry Moore, Adrian Tomine and Daniel Clowes use the fantasy-tinged medium of comics to explore very real human emotions to explore very real human emotions and relationships. Discuss how and why these creators (and others) tell “slice of life” stories.
6) Choose one graphic novel from outside class readings and discuss its effectiveness, its use of symbolism, its characters, its themes in relation to assigned readings--it’s up to you.
Poll
1)Many of the comic book creators whose work we have read deliberately chose to tell their tales in black and white rather than color. Why do you think employing monochromatic design in a comic makes storytelling more effective (or less effective)? How do creators like Terry Moore and Frank Miller utilize stark contrast and shifting levels of black and white to alter a reader's mood? Alternately, why is color essential for the full effect in comics?
2) Comics (and superheroes in particular) represent a modern evolving mythology similar to the ancient tales told in Greek and other cultures or perhaps like the literary heroes of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Argue for or against this notion, and use specific examples of classic myths and/or literary texts, as well as comic readings.
3) Many of the most memorable comic characters from the likes of Superman and Spiderman to Becky and Enid of Ghost World have now been immortalized in film adaptations. Why do you think comics provide such attractive fodder for Hollywood? How well does a film capture a comic book story? What similarities and difference are there between the two media, and when is one more effective than the other?
4) Choose a particular recurring motif in Watchmen, whether it is a visual symbol, a shape, a color, or other pattern, and analyze its many uses relative to the unfolding story. How do Moore and Gibbons use repetition and duality to reinforce the themes of the series? You can also focus on a pair of characters and their relationship rather than static symbols.
5) Several contemporary comic book creators like Terry Moore, Adrian Tomine and Daniel Clowes use the fantasy-tinged medium of comics to explore very real human emotions to explore very real human emotions and relationships. Discuss how and why these creators (and others) tell “slice of life” stories.
6) Choose one graphic novel from outside class readings and discuss its effectiveness, its use of symbolism, its characters, its themes in relation to assigned readings--it’s up to you.
Poll