Comics Archives

I’ve never really had any exposure to comics in the past, and so I found this whole unit that we did very fascinating and informative. The archives were really cool, although a little overwhelming with all the facts being thrown at us. The constant shock when it was discovered that we didn’t know which obscure writer created what obscure comic also didn’t help. But I found our tour guide to be interesting; she had a certain funk about her that brought the comics to life, and she certainly knew everything there is to know, which I always appreciate. In hindsight I suppose I am slightly disappointed that we didn’t discuss the more mainstream comics, but in truth it doesn’t make that much of a difference. I felt like I got a little glimpse into the comic world which was totally untouched before, so anything we learned about was a plus.

Thinking of comics as art definitely opened up a new thought process for me. I wouldn’t disagree that comics should be considered art; it does, however, elicit a different type of emotion than does traditional art (whatever that is), if it can be called an emotion at all. Comics can make the reader laugh, think about a current political situation in a new light, or become engrossed in a sci-fi story aided by illustrations and its unique story telling process. But does it make one feel? I think I can, but it hasn’t happened to me yet. I think we mentioned a few in class that were known to be specifically emotionally provocative, like Art Spiegelman’s “Maus.” I haven’t read that but I definitely should. But the fact that that one keeps coming up over and over again when we discuss the emotional aspect of comics makes me wonder: is Spiegalman the odd one out in this art form devoted to reader entertainment? Maybe the fact that we can’t seem to come up with more than a handful of “emotional” comics (and that’s being generous) is telling us something about the art form of comics as a whole. And I don’t mean to point this out in a derogatory sense, as if only visuals that stimulate profound thoughts or bring one to tears are significant. Quite the contrary; comics prove that art is more than an inexplicable language that only the sensitive-hearted can understand. If given the chance, I think comics would appeal to a variety of people, both artistically inclined and not. By this measure, comics may be reaching a wider audience than traditional artwork ever would and can spread messages very effectively, if it chooses to do so. And that in itself is something fantastic.