Before I begin, let me preface this by saying that this post is a post relating to the reading of week two, while also being an initiative post; where I relate an idea to media that I have encountered.

To summarise, the reading for week two was a comic about comics. And it was by far one of my favourite readings I’ve encountered so far. Let me explain. The reading explained the importance between the spaces of the frames within a comic. It discussed how we – as an audience, have an active role to play while reading a comic, as we commit closure to make a link between the frames within a comic. Closure is described as “observing the parts but perceiving the whole”.

Credit – Scott McCloud “Blood in the Gutter”

As you can see, closure is committed between these two frames, as an assumption is made that the axe-wielder kills the victim. These two frames are the parts, but we perceive the whole.

The best part about this comic, is that its information is useful to media mediums other than comics. Its idea about closure between frames can be also implemented in films, and is actively used in contemporary films we see today. So it’s definitely something that I’ll keep in mind for the years to come when I learn how to edit. One of the problems I had with this reading was when it spoke about ‘non-sequitur’ panel-to-panel techniques. This technique uses frames that have no obvious relation to one another. For example, one frame could show a baseball match, and the next frame could have fossils being displayed in a museum. I have very little idea as to why a technique such as this would be used, and also how it would be used.

Anyway, I said that this was also an initiative post, and I always pay my debts. You might as well call me a Lannister.
The part of the comic I found most interesting is when it compared the comics of western countries, to the comics (or manga) of Japan. The differences were strikingly obvious. At one point, McCloud stated that westerners care about getting to a moment, while easterners prefer being in the moment. I’ve never read a western comic before, so I don’t really know much about them. However, I’ve read a few mangas before, and I have to say; everything McCloud says about eastern comics and their ‘being in the moment’ idea is totally true. A manga I’ve been reading for a while is ‘One Piece’. You may be more familiar with its anime adaptation.

Credit – Eiichiro Oda’s “One Piece”
Chapter 813 (Page 5)

To provide some context about what’s happening, Capone Bege (the mafia boss-looking character) is handing Sanji an invitation. These three frames show the exact same moment, but from different perspectives; the handing over of the invitation, the cigarette falling from Sanji’s mouth, and the cigarette burning on the ground. These three frames fully supports the idea of ‘being in the moment’, which the Japanese seem to love doing with their comics.

Overall, I think I prefer the easterner’s way of doing comics. I enjoy taking my time, and soaking up everything there is to soak up in single moment; instead of rushing to the conclusion. But then again, I’ve never read a western comic before.