Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

Comic books play a huge part in pop culture. A quick glance at current movies, television shows and merchandise proves the amazing hold that comic books have on us.

But over the years the comic book medium has been overlooked as a serious artform and dismissed as pure escapist diversion.

The book Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud, Copyright © 1993, takes a heartfelt and humorous look at the history of the comic book. McCloud succeeds in opening up the never-before-explained magic of comic books and provides the perfect reading material to turn any nay sayer into a true believer.

Understanding Comics comes to us in the form of an easy-to-read comic book narrated by McCloud himself (albeit a simplified cartoon version) filled with appealing illustrations, amazing insights and often hilarious examples. McCloud's art varies from realistic to cartoony and complements his writing perfectly. He references ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics as the very first comics: sequential images meant to convey a story. He moves seamlessly through each example and crafts a story that literally makes the reader turn the page.

In addition, McCloud distinguishes comic books from the other visual arts (motion pictures, paintings, etc). He writes:

"The comics creator asks us to join in a silent dance of the seen and unseen. The visible and the invisible. This dance is unique to comics. No other artform gives so much to its audience while asking so much from them as well. This is why I think it's a mistake to see comics as a mere hybrid of the graphic arts and prose fiction. What happens between these panels is a kind of magic only comics can create."

McCloud refers to the imaginary process a reader must undergo to forge a coherent story from the stationary pictures that make up a comic book. Unlike a movie, comics operate on a picture by picture basis that is unable to include every moment inbetween. Unlike a painting or picture, comic panels must be read all together as a whole--no panel is a self-contained story. A comic book reader serves as the creator's accomplice by powering the story forward and filling in the blanks with his imagination.

I consider comic books a serious artform but never knew how to express myself to those who never read them. After reading this book, I know and understand more about the artform I appreciate so much. Understanding Comics is highly recommended to: anyone who enjoys comic books; those studying art history; and everybody else who would like to learn how to enjoy reading.