week 14: Lenore

This week I tried to read Johnny the homicidal maniac, but failed within a few pages. I don’t know why I am even surprised that something called Johnny the HOMICIDAL MANIAC had such strong content, but I watched Invader Zim and was expecting a similar feel. Well surprise to me that was not the case. Moving along I remember my friend in high school (who had also read JTHM) told me about a comic called ‘Lenore’ which has a similar style to Jhonen Vasquez. I gave it a shot and am happy to say the content is much more to my liking. I have lately come to discover that I tend to like comics that are made up of sets of one 1 to 4 pages, and that is exactly how this comic is set up. As for genre its kind of bizarre and similar to JTHM and Invader zim just much more tame. All of them also tend to make twists in plot that are unexpected/ a 180 to what you expect to happen and several even have 2 twists, meaning that there will often be punchline after the twist to round out the story. One story from the pack that really stands out in my mind is one called Kung-fu Sloth. You can probably guess what this story was about but the last panel was the sloth being very upset and slowly pulling out his sword while a pack of thugs pillage his town. Basically those  are the kinds of stores that fill this book, just random bits of stupid things. Surprisingly I read through the whole thing in 20 minutes and I think because it was so easy to get finished is what makes me feel like these kind of comics are the kind I prefer reading.

week 13: Batwoman

Okay well. How do I even begin to talk about this movie. Well this week I decided to watch Cartoon Noir on Netflix and overall I am quite shocked sitting here now. after getting to the alien abduction part I called it quits because it just started heading in a really weird direction and I think I have had enough of this movie. I do have to say though, before it started to take a turn for the weird it was AMAZING. The first two bits about the mannequins and the cat were absolutely precious. Lets start with the cat and the moon. For an opening it was so simple and sweet and perfect. Such a strong beginning and a step in a right direction to get the audience interested and gets them interacting listening to the story and deciphering the the imagery of how the cat and the moon play the roles of the story. Now, the mannequins. Holy cow this bit was the most precious thing. How does someone even come up with this stuff. I am absolutely amazed with the characterization and how each acquired such a voice and a way about them, so much personality without showing facial emotion and words. I really cant even decide which bit is my favorite but some parts that really made me laugh is this crazy lady playing the harp. It really made me see and pay attention to the little things done in this to tell a story. How they started very grungy and normal and jumping from that right into this world on new hip mannequins and the simple fact of just adding colors through these new mannequins really transports the story to a new place by such a simple thing. The things that come along we it are so clever. switching from the normal dirty clothes to crazy prints and switching from food made of paper to food made to look bright like potion concoctions, so simple and really effective. I’m glad I was able to see these first two clips but I don’t think I want to finish all of the other really creepy video’s.

Week 12: Cartoon Noir

Okay well. How do I even begin to talk about this movie. Well this week I decided to watch Cartoon Noir on Netflix and overall I am quite shocked sitting here now. after getting to the alien abduction part I called it quits because it just started heading in a really weird direction and I think I have had enough of this movie. I do have to say though, before it started to take a turn for the weird it was AMAZING. The first two bits about the mannequins and the cat were absolutely precious. Lets start with the cat and the moon. For an opening it was so simple and sweet and perfect. Such a strong beginning and a step in a right direction to get the audience interested and gets them interacting listening to the story and deciphering the the imagery of how the cat and the moon play the roles of the story. Now, the mannequins. Holy cow this bit was the most precious thing. How does someone even come up with this stuff. I am absolutely amazed with the characterization and how each acquired such a voice and a way about them, so much personality without showing facial emotion and words. I really cant even decide which bit is my favorite but some parts that really made me laugh is this crazy lady playing the harp. It really made me see and pay attention to the little things done in this to tell a story. How they started very grungy and normal and jumping from that right into this world on new hip mannequins and the simple fact of just adding colors through these new mannequins really transports the story to a new place by such a simple thing. The things that come along we it are so clever. switching from the normal dirty clothes to crazy prints and switching from food made of paper to food made to look bright like potion concoctions, so simple and really effective. I’m glad I was able to see these first two clips but I don’t think I want to finish all of the other really creepy video’s.

week 11: Asterios Polyp

Wow! WOW! I have done it. I have found the best comic ever, at least to me anyway. I don’t even know where to start literally everything about this is the best thing ever. The look is pleasant. The simple color palette is purposeful and works well with the basis on shape. composition within panels is perfect, to me I like the order he uses in his interiors, like it is very planned out. Since I love everything about this I will just talk about the top parts of the comic that I really enjoyed.
Two words, character design. For some reason I am absolutely IN LOVE with the design of Hana. In your head you i'm sure people will have this stereotypical thought of an asian woman, when it comes to stylization, but this interpretation is completely adorable. I have to say I have never seen such a unique character design. The shapes of the face and neck upon the darkness of the hair is flawless. Just because of this character alone I wanted to read the book, but it wasn’t the only reason mind you. The strong shape basis really drew me in as well.
As I read I found the story to be strangely familiar in a few ways. Firstly my dad was also born a twin and he was the only part to survive. He was always kind of off while he was around and this story made me think maybe it could have to do with his twin dying at birth. THOUGH that is a huge assumption and i didn’t dwell on it, it just made me curious to ask him maybe how he felt about it.
Another thing is the relationship between Hana and Asterios. As soon as the story progressed I started to feel like I really could feel the tone of the characters and how they felt towards each other, because I have a friend who is very similar to Asterios and his way of responding in a manner that makes him look like he is superior to others. I started to get irritated with him and it was interesting to me how long it actually took for her to bite back at him. It showed how much of an understanding person she was and possibly even how much she understood him as a person and her ability to just let him be the way he was.
When they started to fight the drawing would become separated in a way by style. I LOVE THIS. Instantly I understood he is trying to show us how the two characters think differently through the structure of their figures.
Asterios being very structurally based and Hana being more free form. Even his is more plain and unattached and hers is very emotional. LOVE IT. What a beautiful way to show something so simply and effectively. READ THIS NOW!

Week 10: Ranma 1/2

For this week I decided I wanted to re-read some Ranma ½ manga. In High School I adored this manga to death, its just so incredibly easy to read, for a few reasons. Firstly the layout of panels is just straightforward and direct and used to the purpose of the easiest readability, even within the compositions of each panel is all to focus attention and move your eye through the page, for example the image below. But by far the best thing about Ranma ½ is the fact that is relatable to younger audience... not because we are turned into the opposite gender when doused in cold water but because of this humor that she incorporates. I feel like she takes comics very seriously but also likes a good laugh. I guess what I’m saying is that each character has an extreme personality. The fiery tomboy who hates men more than anything, her soon-to-be-fiance who change into a girl when doused with water, and the overly dramatic jealous stalker kid. These personalities scream conflict that is interesting for young audiences. Basically this story has got it all; the couple who hates each other, but is destined for romance, naked ladies (men?) and underlying gay romance. There is something for everyone and thats why I feel this manga is working in the right way. On top of it She adds little humorous things here and there, so even if you can’t find something you like about it, you are at least laughing hysterically at the pure ridiculousness. To the right are just two of the many panels I busted a gut on. The characters really are funny and will always recommend this manga to people because of it. Overall this week was a success i’m glad I was able to look upon Ranma ½ again. Everything about Rumiko Takahashi’s work is fantastic and I’m glad she was given a chance to do this manga.

Week 9: The Triplets of Belleville

So this week I watched ‘The Triplets of  Belleville', and wow, this guy is a ridiculously amazing storyteller and creator of characters. The master of subtle hints I suppose. Each character looks so unique and does little things very specific to themselves but still they all work well in the same environment. Basically I've never seen anything like this before in my life.
While watching this I did feel a similarity in city and feeling as 100 and one dalmatians. Though it may be because they are both set in the same time/place i'm not sure though if they are. Even so these characters are by far the most amazing EVER basically. Just think of disney and of course you know their characters are somewhat cookie cutter, and that is exactly what these characters are not. They come in every shape and size, from a lady short and plump with 2 different sized legs to men who are literally squares. All of the little quirks each character has can tell so much about them without words its perfect.
The dog for starters, very impatient and seeking attention, trained to a tee as to when he knows the train passes/ when he is going to get food as well as climbing into bed at night. But in the end is very loyal and hunts down his human companion even if it kills him. These things are important, the movie has little to no words and using his time appropriately to show the right amount of repetition of character actions really plays a huge part in the audience feeling for these characters and knowing them.
The triplets had me in a fit of giggle almost constantly. Their character development to these... CRAZY old ladies is perfect. I feel like they are suppost to be these free winded creatures who just do what they please and enjoy what they have. I think it is perfect how they transition the part of them protecting random items around the house (fridge, newspaper, vacuum) to the part of them proforming with said items is so perfect. Little things like this that are done give the movie this bizzare quality that you just start to look at as a normal thing. Definitely recommend this to people wanting to depthen there characters, this movie is at the top of its game.

Week 7: Maus

When I sat down this morning to read Maus I was expecting it not to go well. I know, It’s a awfully negative way to start something but, I have previously read religion based comic’s and found them to be a difficult read, since I am not too interested in history. Either way I was in a good mood, I actually had spared the few hours to sit down and read this without the stress of other deadlines and, I was happily surprised that I enjoyed this and even finished reading the whole thing rather quickly.

In previous essay’s this semester i really focus on the art work, and I will again in this essay for a bit. What can I say, honestly I really am a picture reader by nature and 9 times out of 10 find myself almost skimming the words. Let me just say, the art in this really pleases me. I might even go as far as to say it’s adorable, and perfect alongside the story. Since the subject matter is serious and all, Spiegelman really made a good choice in simplification of style. The whole ‘each-race-is-a-animal’ works nicely as well for the subject matter. It leaves no room for error, in a good way. No matter who is reading it, the iconic image of each race being a animal is an instant read. Even for me and my habit of skimming periodically, whether you read the words of the pictures, the iconic nature of it helps you instantly know where the story is going.

Specifically one thing I really enjoy about the story is the personalities he gives to the characters. Since everyone of the same race is identified with a extremely similar iconic image it became important to me to look at the personalities of the characters to identify them. The father, who is the one telling this whole story is great. Spiegelman creates very small scenarios that break from story telling time to the real world very cleverly. Towards the beginning he is knocking over pills and blaming his son for his clumsiness. Little things like this make me laugh. It gives his characters a human side even while being identified as an animal. It also helps connect with the characters, like now i know this guy, I know his personality and can connect that personality back to his character later on.

When it comes to art, value, balance, penmanship, etc. Spiegelman know’s what he is talking about. The pages are beautiful and clear and easy to read. Even the placement of word balloons and text/writing is easy to follow. the very basic set-up of panels still seems exciting just because of his shapes and lights/darks that he creates in each panel. Overall amazing visuals. I definitely want to look at more of his work in the future.