Review of Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud was probably one of the most comprehensive definitions and practical explanations of what comics are and how they can be used to effectively communicate ideas. The ideals expressed in this book are very evident in comic books today for the most part. In this work, McCloud introduces some interesting theories that he developed and utilizes some resources and terminology from Will Eisner's instructional book, Comics and Sequential Art, to define the medium in more concrete terminology and to create a guide to comic enthusiasts and creators in understanding comics as a medium. 

 Some of which include the action inside and outside of the panel, panel-to-panel transitions, closure, and sound time.

One of the terms defined in this book was panel-to-panel transitions. He mentioned that this term could be broken down into six different parts, which are action-to-action, moment-to-moment, subject-to-subject, aspect-to-aspect, scene-to-scene, and non-sequitur. He expounded on the differences between them and how they can be used together to form interesting stories and feelings within those stories. He gave examples from western and eastern styles of comics. He even described that difference between them was that the western style seemed to be based on more on the action-to-action sequences while the eastern style is more quiet and based on the more aspect-to-aspect with some non-sequitur sequences to evoke more personal reflection.

Another concept that I found interesting was the idea of closure to suggest time. He described that closure can be seen through the example that the gutter between two panels and the viewers imagination help connect two sequential images into a single idea and suggest continuous action. In addition, he also explored how words and sounds in comics can suggest the passage of time. Not only did the viewer have to consider the action taking place in the panel, but also the amount of time that it would take for all of the dialogue to take place. 

On a more abstract level, he discussed the relationship between the words of the panel and the image and how they can either work together or be totally opposite from one another based on the content. From this idea of the concept, he illustrated a scale in which the artwork can go from abstract to more realistic. This scale can lean in either direction depending on the weight of the content. He even delved deeper to mention that our identities are a part of the conceptual world and that they can't be experienced with the senses; they are merely ideas. Everything else is a part of the outside world. His point was that this idea of the tangible and the intangible can influence the balance the word and text and how it is presented. 

There are so many useful tools and terminologies that can be used and practiced from this instructional guide.

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