thoughts

i really liked "understanding comics". it touched upon several major media studies topics that we've gone over during our academic careers, but in a very readable and enjoyable format. from the use of icons to represent ideas, to the high art vs. low art debates of what does get to constitute art, to the more recent house of leaves inspired discussions on form's relationship with content.

one aspect of the book that really fascinated me was the comparisons between western comics and japanese comics. Even though the same format is used, and there is a similar relationship between icon and representation, what those icons, and what modes of visual storytelling that are considered natural, are are completely different. It amazed me how unique they were from each other. This made me wonder how would this class be like if we were in another culture where the notions of narrative, and possibley even the notions of the role of author are completely different?

also, about manga vs. comics and notions that region dictates style, how is it impacted by growing globalization. U.S. artists are increasingly being influenced by their japanese counterparts, and some are creating manga-like comics themselves, and vice-versa. is a global style of comics developping?