Analysis of "Understanding Comics" by Scott McCloud

     Scott McCloud showed how powerful the human imagination was when it comes to reading and interpreting every aspect of comics. From its narratives to even how it is presented, the mind is able to understand them and create connections. The use of icons and how ideas can be amplified through the use of abstracting images. As McCloud put it, it’s “not so much eliminating details, as we are focusing on specific details.” He used an extremely simplified human face as an example and showed how we can’t help but see those two dots and line as a face. Seeing an element of art and comics paired with psychology was compelling to see explained. As with other icons, it’s fascinating to see the associations that can be made with them and how even if symbols deviate from it, we get the general idea. One thing that I can think of as an example is the smiley face badge from Watchmen. We know inherently what a smiley face means, but the blood splatter on it makes us pause and wonder what it exactly means.

     A part of what makes comics and its characters enjoyable is that we can see experiences similar to our own lives. Through this, we relate heavily to them and grow fond. This is another aspect that McCloud brought up. Comics, along with other forms of storytelling, offer the potential of being a vessel for self-expression. I enjoyed seeing how he brought up how we project identities and emotions onto objects that don’t possess them at all, such as cars, and how they can be seen as extensions of ourselves or those we know. It was entertaining to see him call humans a self-centered race through this examples, but he couldn't be more right about it. Of course, these characters and stories (unless biographical in some way) aren’t real. We know that, but that doesn’t stop us from being influenced by them and finding them relatable. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple comic strip or a long narrative that spans across dozens of pages. There are seemingly endless possibilities of portraying stories through them. All forms of comics and graphic novels are able to allow us to take a peek at their creators’ minds and see their messages. They have the power to inspire, comfort, and so much more. As McCloud showed, there is no right, perfect fit for how comics should be portrayed. There are a vast array of art styles and paneling, and making a single right way would limit this. Any style and any layout, if both compliment each other, can serve their purpose in delivering a story.