Understanding Comic
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
The classic analysis of the medium.
Not the genre, of course, since one of his major points is that it's genre independent.
A philosophical definition of the term up front, followed by historical analysis of various forms that fit it. Then discussing the aesthetic aspects. What is bought by cartoony characters or more detailed ones. The importance of closure in reading a comic, since much is implied between the panels. Various kinds of transition between panels, discussion of art in general, and some discussion of color.
The classic analysis of the medium.
Not the genre, of course, since one of his major points is that it's genre independent.
A philosophical definition of the term up front, followed by historical analysis of various forms that fit it. Then discussing the aesthetic aspects. What is bought by cartoony characters or more detailed ones. The importance of closure in reading a comic, since much is implied between the panels. Various kinds of transition between panels, discussion of art in general, and some discussion of color.