Deconstructing Comics | Roger Sabian

Academic Practice, 19^th January 2011

This lecture approached the comics in an analytical way. Several aspects of content, form, structure and intrinsic characteristics were discussed, as well as some differences in comics’ culture in different countries.

In addition to these topics, also the economical context and its relationship with every creative work were discussed.

A comic is a complex piece of work. It comprises illustrations, different levels of text, page composition, construction of a narrative and characters, etc. All these elements coexist in the same place, and must also communicate the sense of time and space, convey emotions and transmit ambiances.

Despite having a sequence, the navigation through the pages is complex and not linear. The reading is active and fragmented, in the sense that the reader must connect and construct the fractions of time, space and action that compose the whole story.

Similarly to the cinema, the scenes in comics are seen from different angles and shots. This becomes more evident in the traditional Manga books, to be read very quickly page-by-page.

Comics highly relate with the cultural context and conventions, but can sometimes be also influenced by the past myths and traditions. It is then important to understand the cultural aspects behind each work, and see it against the background that originated it.

A very interesting topic covered in this lecture is the influence that the owners and publishers of this kind of book may have on the story itself.
If owned by a major group with several subsidiaries, the work is just a small part of a net of interests, agenda, and mutually supporting companies.
The creative areas are never detached from the economical and political context; they are influenced by but also operate on it.