Graphic Novel Form

Title?

2007-11-25T22:54:00.001-08:00

Hi Guys,
I'm almost finished the editing process, I've seen alot of great work so far! I've been trying to think up a title for this project, all I've come up with so far is 'BLANK: A Comic Book Glossary.' Any ideas for what BLANK could be? I personally like KABLAMO, but I don't think it makes alot of sense. Or if anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them. Also, wait till you guys see the art, it's quite awesome.
Cheers,
Patrick

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Terms

2007-11-23T21:43:00.001-08:00

Or Tuesday

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Terms

2007-11-23T21:42:00.001-08:00

Hi everybody,

I've recieved terms from the following people:

Emma

Caitlin

Joanna

Erin

Juliet

Meena

Neil

Courtney

Feducea

Kristina

Melissa

Logan

Mike

Which means I'm still waiting on:
Jason K
Emily C

I've sent an email to Jason, but I cannot read Emily's email address, does anyone have it?
Don't forget to send the term of your choice to the illustrators if you haven't done so already, their email addresses are lower down on this blog.
See you guys monday,

Patrick

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Joanna's Final Definitions

2007-11-22T22:09:00.001-08:00

Hello Patrick,

Here are my final definitions. I also emailed them to you. Please let me
know if I need to change or fix anything.

Kawaii:

A Japanese term representing a cultural phenomenon first appearing
in Japan in the 1970s. The term literally means cute and childlike and is
known for having a playful aesthetic that can be easily marketed. Kawaii is
often expressed through images and can usually be seen in Manga and chibi
style art. The nature of Kawaii is to appeal light-heartedly to youth
audiences while providing an endearing form of nostalgia in adults.

Cite:
"Cute" A Dictionary of Modern Design. Jonathan Woodham. Oxford University
Press, 2004. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Simon Fraser
University. 19 November 2007
<http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Ma
in&entry=t160.e199>

Biographical Comics:

A Biographical comic is the chronicled re-telling of someone's life in an
informative and symbolic manner by means of illustrated imagery. Such comics
differ from biographical novels in both form and content. Biographical
comics allow the writer to tell a story based on real life utilizing the
framework of comics. This is accomplished through the use of page
structures, symbolic imagery, varying or monotone color schemes, few or much
text, as well as the manipulation of other aspects of form.

Cite:
"biography" The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. Ed.
Margaret Drabble and Jenny Stringer. Oxford university Press, 2007. Oxford
Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Simon Fraser University. 19
November 2007

http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Mai
n&entry=t54.e637

Color:

Color is the visual perception and experience allowing one to differentiate
between otherwise indistinguishable objects. Color influences art through
various aspects of the appearance of the artwork, including lustre,
luminosity, hue, saturation, brightness, darkness, shade, tint, intensity,
warming and cooling, weight, and, texture. The intended affect of color use
is to solicit an emotive experience for the reader or viewer of the comic
while producing symbolic meaning(s) beyond the text. Depending on the author
and illustrator's intent, color can also be used to direct the readers'
attention to or from the text.

Cite:
Harold Osborne "colour" The Oxford Companion to Western Art. Ed. Hugh
Brigstocke. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford
University Press. Simon Fraser University. 19 November 2007

http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Mai
n&entry=t118.e593

Gay Robins "Color Symbolism" The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ed.
Donald B. Redford, Oxford University Press, Inc., 2001 Simon Fraser
University. 19 November 2007
<http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Ma
in&entry=t176.e0147>

Egan, Andrade. "The Colors of Emotion." American Ethnologist 1.1 (1974). Pp
49-63. JSTOR. October 28, 2007.

Miriam Webster dictionary (m-w.com): color.

Action Drawings:

Action Drawing is the use of illustration to capture the motion being
performed by an object or figure. Through manipulations of form such as
lines, curves and color effects, the intended movement is graphically
displayed to the reader. Actions drawings are meant to sway the viewer's
focus from the character's physical appearance to what the character or
object is accomplishing through mobility. These drawing effects facilitate a
strengthened visual perception of movement and force on the image. Action
can take place in as few as just one or even several panels on a page and
can be in the form of simple or complex movements.

Cite:
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts/drawings/DrawingMaterials/Gesture/g
esture.htm

"action" The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy. Simon Blackburn. Oxford
University Press, 1996. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.
Simon Fraser University. 19 November 2007

http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Mai
n&entry=t98.e25

Simple vs Complex Drawing

Simple line drawings are often ambiguous and do not directly resemble
reality or real world objects. Simply drawn images are frequently one
dimensional and limited in color usage. However, in comics a simple image
can represent something complex using symbolism and the abstract or
ambiguousness of the drawing. In contrast, complex graphics can range
visually from one to three dimensional images tending to more accurately
represent real world scenes, objects(s) or person(s) in an illustrated form;
oftentimes reflecting reality so well that little effort is needed to read
the artwork, or the story behind the text. Through these two drawing styles,
authors and illustrators are able to create a story within a story.

Cite:
Honig, W.K. and Gregor Fetterman. Cognitive Aspects of Stimulus and Control.
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (1992). P 4-5.
http://books.google.com/books?id=FFu1wmMrqrgC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=simple+vs+co
mplex+drawings&source=web&ots=bXVSIZ1NDl&sig=02Z8QQk43dVDlaG-5VJqP41jbGA

"complex adj." The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Eleventh edition
revised . Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. Oxford University Press,
2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Simon Fraser
University. 20 November 2007

http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Mai
n&entry=t23.e11449

"simple adj." The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Eleventh edition
revised . Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. Oxford University Press,
2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Simon Fraser
University. 20 November 2007
<http://www.oxfordreference.com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Ma
in&entry=t23.e52538>

Thanks,
Joanna

illustrations reminder

2007-11-20T22:04:00.001-08:00

Ann with some updates and reminders on the illustrations!

1) please email us your terms by THURSDAY (NOV 22nd). We want to start on these as early as possible (aka Thursday evening) because we need to email these to Patrick on Sunday.

2) for those in sonia's group (please see previous illustration blog for groupings) her email is:
perpetualsunstroke@hotmail.com

3) how we are going to submit the illustrations:
the illustrations will be scanned or done on the computer so we can send it to Patrick by email (in whatever file format we prefer). After emailing, he will put it together with the definitions.

I think that is all...if there are any concerns, just post a reply or email me! (aogawa@sfu.ca)

Form Project

2007-11-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys,
Just a reminder as to what needs to get done for next class. Hopefully on tuesday you will all have your definitions finished. Bring hard copies to class in case we have time to peer edit. I would like to have all the terms for Thursday so I can start editing them (and I know the illustrators want them too), so if we do peer review, could you make sure that any changes are made promptly. One things about the definitions themselves: I think we came to a concensus in class that we would avoid using direct quotations from any source, paraphrasing instead. So please include a works cited list with any relevant sources when you submit the terms.
Cheers,
Patrick
PS If you have any questions please email me at poa@sfu.ca, I'll be out of town till Sunday but will get back to you before class on Tuesday.

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illustrations!!

2007-11-13T22:59:00.001-08:00

A few things on the illustrations---please read!!

1) the illustrators are: Lauren, Ann, Crystal and Sonia. We will be doing 5 illustrations each, so 20 illustrations in total.

2) we divided whoever is doing terms into groups. Please look below for which group you belong in:

LAUREN ( lmacgreg@sfu.ca )
- Jen P
- Jason K
- Courtney V
- Joanna S
- Stephanie Y

ANN ( aogawa@sfu.ca )
- Erin E
- Emily C
- Logan H
- Caitlyn D

CRYSTAL ( ccl3@sfu.ca )
- Neil K
- Melissa C
- Alice K
- Michael L
- Kristina G

SONIA ( please tell us email! )
- Emma P
- Meena M
- Feducea D
- Juliet K

3) Please email us your terms by NOVEMBER 22ND (THURS)---!!!! If there is a term you need illustrated or want illustrated, please tell us (with a description if you like). If there are no preferences, we will just choose what to draw.

4) We have not discussed how to submit the finished product. Patrick, should we give the drawings to you once we are done? Should we submit them electronically or paper copy? Should we give it to you on the Monday or Tuesday when it is due?

My terms, draft definitions and Dictionary citing

2007-11-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Here are my 5 terms and the very beginnings of their definition - this is
just to give an idea of where the final definitions will be headed. Please
feel free to critique, add to, modify, these draft definitions. My email is
emmapeterson77@hotmail.com

Expletive symbols: Symbols used in comics to fill in emotive or unspoken
meaning. For example, the use of explanation marks or question marks in
speech bubbles to describe a character's thought process or response to a
situation.

Sound expression (was verbalization of sound): The use of words to represent
sound, such as the famous "Biff", "Pow", "Bam" used in Batman fight scenes.
This can be related to the literary technique of onomatopoeia.

Register: The type and variety of language used that creates the
communicative setting of a piece of written literature, for example informal
register. In comic books, register can refer to whether language is
conversational or narrative. Comic book register is determined also by the
images, for example, conversational register can be identified by the
inclusion of words within speech bubbles.

Word play: The use of words to create multi-layered meaning. Images can also
join with words to create effective word play, for example, the term "a fork
in the road" can be dramatized as a word play with the inclusion of an image
of an actual cutlery fork on the road (see Tank Girl: The Gifting imagery).

Puns: the use of words or phrases, often in a humorous context, to emphasize
or suggest their different meanings or applications, or the use of words
that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on
words.

N.B: 'Register' and 'Puns' at this stage are partly made up of dictionary
definitions. Are we going to have to cite dictionary paraphrasing, or should
we steer clear of this and try and write in our own words as much as
possible? Look forward to hearing any feedback.

Cheers,
Emma

My Five Terms

2007-11-12T16:29:00.001-08:00

My FIVE terms:

1. Anti-Hero
2. Mint Condition
3. Fantasy
4. Cameos
5. Metafiction

BY Meena Mangat

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My 5 terms

2007-11-12T14:19:00.001-08:00

Comix
Fanboy
Universe
Centerfold
Fourth Wall

-Feducea

my 5 terms

2007-11-12T13:02:00.001-08:00

here are my terms i will be defining:

Biographical
Simple vs Complex
Action Drawings
Color/Tone
Kawaii

from Joanna

no subject

2007-11-11T23:18:00.001-08:00

Hey Patrick,

Sorry, the 5 terms:

1)sound effect
2)splash balloons
3)characterization
4)entertainment/Hollywood
5)series continuity of plot/characters

They belong to me.
Cheers, Melissa

A couple things

2007-11-09T13:49:00.001-08:00

Courtney - You're right, we have already designated 4 people to be artists. I don't think that we should rely on them to illustrate all of the definitions, probably something along the lines of 1 in 5 (1 per person). So we make sure that our definitions are strong enough to stand on their own.
As for citing sources in our definitions, I'm not sure what everone else thinks, but I think that since we are creating a dictionary, we should refrain from using direct quotations in our definitions, paraphrasing should suffice. At the end of the Dictionary would could have an extensive bibliography. Any other thoughts?

Also, does anyone know who these terms:
1) Sound Effect
2) Splash Balloons
3) Characterization
4) Enertainment/Hollywood
5) Series Continuity of plot/characters

There's no name associated with the posting.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Word Count

2007-11-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dear All: regarding the word count for the assignment, the 'equivalency' criteria applies. That is, your research, preparation, and harmonisation work count as equivalency for the word count. You are on course to fully meet the assignment criteria, and complete a memorable document of lasting value.

My 5 Terms

2007-11-07T23:30:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

Here are the 5 terms I will define as follows:

1) Sound Effect
2) Splash Balloons
3) Characterization
4) Enertainment/Hollywood
5) Series Continuity of plot/characters

Response and questions..

2007-11-07T17:11:00.001-08:00

Neil and Patrick,

    Thank you for your responses to my question. I couldn't remember if us each doing 5 terms/definitions qualified the 1,500 each word requirement. And you're right, we should definatley clarify this with the professor, to be sure.

     I would like to expand I guess on Neil's question about using examples-- I think that there are artists who will be sketching/drawing examples of our terms for us....I am pretty sure, but we should inquire about this in seminar....

    My question is:  If we are researching to create these definitions, do we cite the research in our definitions?? This, I am still confused on.

     I know, I am probably annoying (and will get more so) and I apologize for that, but I just want to be sure on everything. This is a huge group, and everyone should be on the same page, and I want to do a really good job to not let the group down and do a great work to be published.

      I hope everyone has had a great day!!

Thanks,
     Courtney :)

Definitions

2007-11-07T16:22:00.001-08:00

Patrick,

I agree, this way we can produce a much more universal text too, one that does not depend upon investment in external sources.

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

2007-11-07T15:27:00.001-08:00

Courtney - I also recall that Stephen said something to the effect that if we each do 5 terms that it would count as the equivalent to 1500 words.
Neil - Since Stephen's goal is for us to create a resource that future students can use (who most likely will not be reading thte same texts as we have) I think that we should make this Dictionary as self-contained as possible. Any other thoughts on the matter?
Patrick

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My Terms

2007-11-07T12:24:00.001-08:00

Howdy Folks,

Here are the terms I'm doing:

MacGuffin

Otaku

Negative Space

Bleed

Covers

Courtney, I think Stephen had mentioned that we may not need to reach the 1500 word requirement per student if we split up the project like this. We may need to confirm that though.

I do have one question regarding the definitions though, can we use examples from the works we have been studying or should we be defining them and using the artwork (done by our classmates) as the example?

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

My 5 terms...

2007-11-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hello all! :)

Here are the five terms I am going to define:
     1.) Magick
     2.) Episodes
     3.) Mythopoaeia
     4.)Superhero Problematic
     5.) Collector Culture

I saw Stephanie's defintions for her terms, and the word count for them is approximately 400 (and those were good definitions) how do we reach our 1,500 word mark? Are these just a starting point?

Also, how do we define these terms, some of them are already defined. Do we "define" them in our own terms and cite where we got the idea or part of definition from?

Sorry to ask so many questions, I just want to be super clear so I can do a good job! :)

I hope everyone has a really great day!! :)
~Courtney :)

The five terms I will define...

2007-11-06T20:53:00.003-08:00

Hello all! :)
Here are the five terms I am going to define:

The five terms I will define...

2007-11-06T20:53:00.001-08:00

Hello all! :)
Here are the five terms I am going to define:

Updated Terms - Sorry about lateness

2007-11-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Sorry this list wasn't up last night, I had internet connectivity problems :(. You'll notice at the end that Stephanie has already done her definitions for several terms, I thought that it might be a good guide if you're stuck for ideas/how to execute.

Patrick

Alter ego

Cover art

Super villain

Trade paperback

Splash pages

Sequential art

Underground comics

magick
episodes
mythopoaeia

collector culture
good girl art
comic book death

Bleed
Crossover (intertextuality in Comics)
Covers

Otaku

vertical theory
protagonist
gender barriers
gender boundaries
jewishness
religion
occult
superhero
golden age
supernatural

Graphic

Episode

Sound effect

Splash Balloon

Universe

Fanboy/fangirl

Cameo

Centerfold

The Fourth Wall

Comix

Storyboard

McGuffin - rather like a red herring, an item that doesn't have the significance one would originally assume.
epic - in relation to comics, rather than, say, Homer. Also defined in the OED as "characterized by realism and an absence of theatrical devices," but often used in contemporary speech to merely mean a long and dramatic
story.
serial/serialize/serialization - whether single issues in a comic digest,
a collection of trade paperbacks, or even hardcover collector's editions,
there's more than likely one in a series of a story.
alter-ego - a big attraction in American superhero comics, how does this
duality shape other genres or nations of origin?
in medias res - overused plot device that many comic artists seem to
love.
censorship - whether for propaganda or to remove excessive violence,
gore, and nudity, both comics and manga with more mature themes deal with
censorship, although perhaps at differing quantities during different
decades.
onomatopoeia/sound effects - seen through many kinds of comics, and can
often lend a different visual ambiance to the scene (such as mentioned in
seminar about Batman: Dark Knight Returns)

Metafiction
Cameos (Past Character/Pop Culture)
comix (independent, non-mainstream comics: i got this term from the internet)
Fantasy
Series (continuity of plot, characters)
Entertainment/Hollywood (connections between comics and the entertainment industry)
Mint Condition
Anti- Hero

Superhero problematic

moral ambiguity
"Camp"/ "camp value

Cross Culture
Biographical
Negative Space
Simple vs Complex drawings and words
Action Drawing
Color/tone

Closure

Magical Realism
Characterization

Chorus

expletives X symbols
verbalization of sounds
register – difference in characters' speech according to cultural context &
class etc.
word-play
puns
the use of foreign languages – whether it's translated or only used for
extra local colour
lettering – typeface, contrast of regular/bold/italicized letters
capitals X lower case letters

non-sequitur stories
anti-hero
child hero
comic biography
comic journalism

Illustrators

Lauren, Crystal, Anne

From Lauren:

What I think would work is every student chooses what they think are the most interesting of the terms they've defined, maybe 2 or 3 of them, then they e-mail them to us with suggestions for how they can see them illustrated.

Comic Book Terms

Screen Tones

Frequently seen in manga, screen tones are used for shading or to show anything requiring a pattern of the same kind of brush strokes. They can be applied by hand or created in digital imaging programs and added to the comic. There is no limit to things that can have screen tones applied to them, ranging from skin (shading) to clothing (like plaid). Screen tones can help a comic look more lively or dramatic.

Chibi

Also frequently seen in manga are 'chibi' (ie: super-deformed/mini) characters. They stand about two (normal human) heads tall, with their head being a normal size and their body being shrunk significantly. Many normal characters will turn into their chibi counterparts for a cute or comical factor, with their facial features being highly exaggerated.

Logo

An identifying feature for comics, they are usually done in a stylistic manner that is easy to recognize. It applies to both distributors of the comic (ex: DC Comics) and to the characters/comic titles themselves (ex: Batman insignia).

Cover Art

The cover art for comics can be seen as a kind of extra attached to the part of the comic for aesthetic appeal. Cover art forms a part of the comic book package, and for some editions of comics, special 'collectors' editions are released, with a limited number of comics with that cover being released.

Typography

Used primarily in graphic design, typography is the arrangement of type to make the letters neat and appealing to the eye. Emotion and messages can be accentuated, with larger font and the right typeface. Good typography seeks to make a piece seem united and complete, and in comics, successful use of it can make the type seem like an illustration in itself.

Bubbles

Thought and speech bubbles one of the base features in comics, allowing the reader insight to the character's personality and providing visual for communication in comics (helping readers "hear" what a character is saying). Sometimes, text is not even placed inside a balloon, leading to extra emphasis or side thoughts/dialogue. If a bubble has no text in it, this can refer to a character taking a breath of air (the bubble with have a "popped bubble" icon inside) or of silence.

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terms

2007-11-04T15:17:00.001-08:00

Hello patrick,

Here are a few more terms:
Cross Culture
Biographical
Negative Space
Simple vs Complex drawings and words
Action Drawing
Color/tone – ie. Black and White, Sepia, full color etc
Realistic vs Abstract images

These ones are more along the lines of the art style.

Joanna

Some other terms to look at...

2007-11-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! :)

Some other terms I thought we could look at: (from my lecture notes)

      * Superhero problematic

      * moral ambiguity

      * "Camp"/ "camp value" (does this fall under the definition for "junk"?)

Have a great weekend everyone, see you Tuesday! :)

~Courtney

Compiled Word List

2007-10-29T23:58:00.001-07:00

Here are the words I've recieved so far. Not all of these terms have been posted on the blog, some have been emailed to me. There's only 50 or so terms here, so we don't have enough for the whole class yet.

Alter ego

Cover art

Super villain

Trade paperback

Splash pages

Sequential art

Underground comics

magick
episodes
mythopoaeia

collector culture
good girl art
comic book death

Bleed
Crossover (intertextuality in Comics)
Covers

Otaku

vertical theory
protagonist
gender barriers
gender boundaries
jewishness
religion
occult
superhero
golden age
supernatural

Graphic

Episode

Sound effect

Splash Balloon

Universe

Fanboy/fangirl

Cameo

Centerfold

The Fourth Wall

Comix

Storyboard

McGuffin - rather like a red herring, an item that doesn't have the
significance one would originally assume.
epic - in relation to comics, rather than, say, Homer. Also defined in
the OED as "characterized by realism and an absence of theatrical devices,"
but often used in contemporary speech to merely mean a long and dramatic
story.
serial/serialize/serialization - whether single issues in a comic digest,
a collection of trade paperbacks, or even hardcover collector's editions,
there's more than likely one in a series of a story.
alter-ego - a big attraction in American superhero comics, how does this
duality shape other genres or nations of origin?
in medias res - overused plot device that many comic artists seem to
love.
censorship - whether for propaganda or to remove excessive violence,
gore, and nudity, both comics and manga with more mature themes deal with
censorship, although perhaps at differing quantities during different
decades.
onomatopoeia/sound effects - seen through many kinds of comics, and can
often lend a different visual ambiance to the scene (such as mentioned in
seminar about Batman: Dark Knight Returns)

Patrick

no subject

2007-10-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

1. Metafiction
2. (Past Character/Pop Culture) cameos
3. comix (independent, non-mainstream comics: i got this term from the internet)
4. Fantasy
5. Series (continuity of plot, characters)
6. Entertainment/Hollywood (connections between comics and the entertainment industry)
7. Mint Condition
8. Alter-Ego
9. Anti- Hero

2007-10-24T22:30:00.001-07:00

Alter ego

Cover art

Super villain

Trade paperback

Splash pages

Sequential art

Underground comics

thx guys!
emily chow =)

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Definitions

2007-10-24T18:56:00.001-07:00

Ideas for definitions I think we should look at:
(Some I got from class lecture and some from googling "Comic book terms")

* magick
* episodes
* mythopoaeia
* collecter culture
* good girl art
* comic book death

That's all I have for now! (I don't want to look at too many online terms and definitions- cause those are already defined) The first 4 terms that are from class are good though!

Have a good day everyone! :)

Thanks,
~Courtney :)

Other Terms

2007-10-24T09:36:00.001-07:00

Hi Folks,

I would also like to take the following:

Bleed
McGuffin
Crossover (intertextuality in Comics)
Covers

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

Project Update

2007-10-23T22:27:00.001-07:00

Here are the emails that I've recieved from the class thus far:

From Juliet:
So far, I'm interested in coming up with more
complete definitions for both "Comics" and "Graphic Novels," as I don't
think either McCloud's or Eisner's definitions go far enough to be used in a
more empirical sense. I'm also interested in Cohn's idea of "Sight Rhyme."

From Jennifer:
vertical therory
protagonist
gender barriers
gender boundries
jewishness
religion
occult
superhero
golden age
supernatural

From Neil:
I would like to snag Otaku at least as I'm interested in doing a little research on it!
That's all I have so far but I'll send you the rest later.

Stephen mentioned in class that "Graphic" and "Episode" could be defined too.

I've also heard from Ann, who expressed interest in being one of the animators.

Let's try to get a full list for next week. I'll compile all the terms next monday and post a unified list so we won't have to slog through endless posts.

Cheers,
Patrick

Group Project -- Moving Ahead

2007-10-17T01:10:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,
As I mentioned in class, if you each could email me (poa@sfu.ca) several (7 or so) terms that you would be interested in writing on, I would be happy to compile them into a master list, which we can divvy up in the next class. Try to up with terms that aren't obvious, so we can get a healthy variety of options. Also, if you artistically inclined, could you make a note of that as well, so we can get an idea of how many illustrations our glossary might include.
Cheers,
Patrick

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Updated Proposal

2007-10-08T22:05:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

Here's the updated proposal:

Seminar Essay Proposal: The Form of the Graphic Novel

For our seminar essay, we will be examining the form of the graphic novel. In order to do so, we will break it down into its component parts. We will explore the theory behind form, look at the significance of word abstraction, discuss the notion of the picture plane, and create a glossary of terms associated with graphic novel form.

We will establish now form works on a theoretical basis across the broad concept that is comics. Form is essentially the overall construction of comics, which includes, but is not exclusive to, character, story, graphics, the written word and panel sequence. It is the sum of all of these parts that comprises the form of what makes a comic or graphic novel. Some critics, such as Neil Cohn, have approached the idea of form in comics by presenting it as visual poetry that has a psychological impact on the reader. This is achieved through specific layout and, for McCloud and Eisner, this is intrinsic to the construction and progression of the story. Therefore there must be an orchestration that occurs in order for a comic to succeed in communicating its desired effect. We plan to examine how various theoretical ideas of visual rhyme, construction, and psychology all come into play in the form of the comic.

In order to better understand the significance of the written word to the form of the graphic novel, we will look at the relationship between abstract words and the reader and how the form of comics, with its inclusion of images, impacts and influences that relationship. We will include a discussion on the reliance that words in graphic novels have on pictures in telling the story. We hope to show that words do not stand alone, but instead their meaning relies on the relationship between words, images and the reader. A graphic novel can certainly have many literary devices (such as allegory, symbolism, simile and metaphor), however these devices are not recognizable solely through the words or solely through the images. Again, it is both the graphic art and written word that form a perfect balance for the reader to be able to have a literary experience. We will look specifically at word choice, the crafting of words and image together, as well as the crafting of words as image (for example "BIFF!", "BANG!", "POW!" in comics such as Batman).

We will look at the creative process undertaken by writers and illustrators to create a work that effectively communicates a story, referring to McCloud's text Making Comics to outline the creative choices available to amalgamate word and image to convey meaning. Our discussion will include Anina Bennett’s Visual Thinking concept. We are interested in “the visual choices made by writers and artists — what's shown and not shown, and how it's depicted,” as well as how this process creates a different literary form from the conventional prose novel, and why authors chose it as the medium with which to convey their story.

Throughout this examination of the abstract nature of words we also intend on answering the big questions: can graphic novels be considered literature; does the introduction of images into the story telling process take away the pure abstraction of the words and render them more concrete – therefore making the work itself not strictly literary, and therefore not literature?

In order to understand how an artist uses the two dimensional page to represent three dimensional reality, we will examine the concept of the picture plane, which McCloud defines as "The window through which reality is perceived through art.” We will explain McCloud's Pictorial Vocabulary Triangle. We will discuss the idea of reality to abstraction, an example of this being the transition of photographs to cartoons. We will also use examples from our primary texts to compare two dimensional to three dimensional images on the picture plane and prove which method is more effective. This summary will also include an extensive look at the background of the picture plane and the theories of its use within comics.

Through the use of the terms and definitions we have on hand for analyzing the Graphic Novel, we intend to produce a detailed glossary replete with examples from the texts we are studying throughout the semester. We believe that a thorough glossary would be beneficial for the in-depth analysis and interpretation of the Graphic Novel. Furthermore, the inclusion of visual comparisons of familiar works to expound these definitions will aid greatly in close readings of other works of a similar nature. The words that would be found in this sort of illustrative glossary would be bolded in the work being read beforehand, informing the reader that the term can be found in the glossary for supplementary explanation and example. For example, if one is to examine and define the term (and use of) “bleed” and its importance to the graphic novel frame in relation to how Miller uses it in Dark Knight Returns versus the way Spiegelman uses it in Maus then its importance to the medium becomes increasingly apparent. The visual model and the definition together are meant to create a stronger and more user-friendly way of accessing the culture and words associated in the comic realm.

Ultimately, we hope to collectively create a document which exhaustively examines all aspect of the graphic novel’s form, and its significance to the communicative ability of the genre.

See you in class tomorrow,

Patrick

Totally Late

2007-10-08T00:20:00.001-07:00

Sorry about putting it in late! I misspelled the email address and it only returned it this morning.
for Juliet, Stephanie, Feducea, and Jevon:

How does form work on a theoretical basis across the broad concept that is composed of in the genre of comics? Form is essentially the overall construction of comics, which includes everything from character, to story, to graphics, to the written word, to sequence, etc. It is the sum of all of these parts that comprises the form of what makes a comic or "graphic novel." Some critics, such as Neil Cohn, have approached the idea of form in comics through presenting it as a visual poetry that has a psychological impact on the reader. This is achieved through specific layout and for McCloud and Eisner this is intrinsic to the construction and progression of the story. Therefore there must be an orchestration that occurs in order for a comic to succeed in communicating its desired effect. We plan to examine how various theoretical ideas of visual rhyme, construction, and psychology all come into play in the form of the comic.

Word Abstraction Group members

2007-10-06T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hey Patrick and group,
Prop looks great. Sorry I failed to sign our group's postings so far. Our groups is:

Emma (me), Sonia, Alice, Meena and Kristina.

See you all next week.
Em

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Final Proposal

2007-10-05T11:45:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

This is what I've come up with for our proposal. I still heven't recieved anything from the "form theory" group, so the proposal is somewhat incomplete:

Seminar Essay Proposal: The Form of the Graphic Novel

Ultimately, we hope to collectively create a document which exhaustively examines all aspect of the graphic novel’s form, and its significance to the communicative ability of the genre.

I hope that this is works for all of you,

Patrick

"Form Theory" Group???

2007-10-04T22:44:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

I'm still missing one group's proposal. I'm not sure which people were assigned to which group, but so far I have:

Terms - Courtney's Group and Neil's Group

Word Abstractions - ????'s group

Picture Plane - Jen, Jason, Lauren, Ann and Crystal's Group

This means that I still haven't received the proposal from the "Form Theory" Group, whoever that might be. If you're reading this and it is your group, please post ASAP. If not, I'll do the proposal without it, and we can figure something out later.

Thanks,

Patrick

PS. If we could sign all of our posts that would be a huge help

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Definitions Groups: Final Proposal

2007-10-04T19:12:00.001-07:00

Through the use of the terms and definitions we have on hand for analyzing the Graphic Novel, we intend to produce a detailed glossary replete with examples from the texts we are studying throughout the semester. We propose that a thorough glossary would be beneficial for the in-depth analysis and interpretation of the Graphic Novel. Furthermore, the inclusion of visual comparisons of familiar works to expound these definitions will aid greatly in close readings of other works of a similar nature. The words that would be found in this sort of illustrative glossary would be bolded in the work being read beforehand, informing the reader that the term can be found in the glossary for supplementary explanation and example. For example, if one is to examine and define the term (and use of) Bleed and its importance to the comic book/gr! aphic novel frame in relation to how Miller uses it in Dark Knight Returns versus the way Spiegelman! uses it in Maus then its importance to the medium becomes increasingly apparent. The visual model and the definition together are meant to create a stronger and more user-friendly way of accessing the culture and words associated in the comic realm.

Sounds Fine!

2007-10-04T14:54:00.001-07:00

Hi Courtney,

This is fine with me, it's only the wording for the proposal anyway and we don't need to get too hung up on it!

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

Two Definition Group Proposal

2007-10-04T11:09:00.001-07:00

Ok Neil, here is what I think is the final proposal. I have added to it- but I don't feel that I could say too much more than you already had, as you had explained the theory and purpose of our glossary really well. What do you think? Should I add more? Is there more I could even add? &n! bsp; Have a good day!! I can be emailed at cvrooman@sfu.ca If you need to contact me.
Thanks,
Courtney :)

Through the use of the terms and definitions we have on hand for analyzing the Graphic Novel, we intend to produce a detailed glossary replete with examples from the texts we are studying throughout the semester. We propose that a thorough glossary would be beneficial for the in-depth analysis and interpretation of the Graphic Novel. Furthermore, the inclusion of visual comparisons of familiar works to expound these definitions will aid greatly in close readings of other works of a similar nature. The words that would be found in this sort of illustrative glossary would be bolded in the work being read beforehand, informing the reader that the term can be found in the glossary for supplementary explanation and example. For example, if one is to examine and define the term (and use of) Bleed and its importance to the comic book/gr! aphic novel frame in relation to how Miller uses it in Dark Knight Returns versus the way Spiegelman uses it in Maus then its importance to the medium becomes increasingly apparent. The visual model and the definition together are meant to create a stronger and more user-friendly way of accessing the culture and words associated in the comic realm.

Let's try that again!

2007-10-02T19:52:00.001-07:00

OK here it is!!!

Through the use of the terms and definitions we have on hand for analyzing the Graphic Novel, we intend to produce a detailed glossary replete with examples from the texts we are studying throughout the semester. We propose that a thorough glossary would be beneficial for the indepth analysis and interpretation of the Graphic Novel and, furthermore,that the inclusion of visual comparisons of familiar works to expound these definitions will aid greatly in close readings of other works of a similar nature. For example, if one is to examine and define the term (and use of) Bleed and its importance to the comic book frame in relation to how Miller uses it in Dark Knight Returns versus the way Spiegelman uses it in Maus then its importance to the medium becomes increasingly apparent.

Let me know if this is ok.

My email address is:

neilgotfired@gmail.com

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

Our Proposal Paragraph

2007-10-02T19:28:00.001-07:00

Hi Courtney,

Here is our paragraph:

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

Our Group

2007-10-02T09:34:00.001-07:00

HI All,

We're a little late posting here!

Melissa, Caitlin, Mike, logan, and myself (Neil) are taking care of the other half of the terms, we're in the same boat as Courtney as we really don't what to contribute to the proposal!

--
Thanks

Neil Kipling

OK - attachement didn't work

2007-10-01T17:39:00.001-07:00

Here's the text instead. Let me know if you think this is a bit long, I can probably cut it down a bit

In this section we will be looking at the meaning making relationship between abstract words and the reader and how the form of comics, with its inclusion of images, impacts and influences that relationship. Things to be covered will include:

* The reliance words in graphic novels and comic books have on the pictures in telling the story. The literature (ie: words) do not stand alone, but instead the meaning making relies on the relationship between words, images and reader. A graphic novel can certainly have many literary devices such as allegory, symbolism, simile/metaphor, etc...However, these 'devices' are not recognizable solely through the words or solely through the images. Again, rather it is both the graphic art and written word that form a perfect balance for the reader to be able to have a literary experience. We will look specifically at word choice, the crafting of words and image together aswell as the crafting of words as image, for example "Biff!", "BANG!", "POW!" in comics such as Batman.

* We will look at the creative process undertaken by writers and illustrators to create a work that effectively communicates a story, referring to McCloud's text Making Comics to outline the creative choices available to amalgamate word and image to convey meaning. We will also bring in Anina Bennett (see course blog Tues sept 18) Visual Thinking concept. We are interested in "the visual choices made by writers and artists — what's shown and not shown, and how it's depicted", how this process creates a different literary form to the conventional prose novel, and why it is chosen by the authors to convey their story.

* And through this we intend on answering the big question – can graphic novels be considered literature? Does the introduction of images into the story telling process take away the pure abstraction of the words and render them more concrete – therefore making the work itself not strictly literary, and therefore not literature?

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Word abstraction proposal

2007-10-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

Hi Patrick,
Here's our proposal for Friday. I hope this attachment works!!!

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Touching base a bit

2007-09-27T11:30:00.001-07:00

Thanks! Are we clear yet for how we want to split up the terms, or how we want to write the proposal in my group? My group: Erin, Emily, Patrick, Joanna and myself.I suppose we could talk Tuesday, as it isn't due til Fri. Any updates, please let me know! Have a great day everybody!!
~Courtney :)

Doing Well

2007-09-25T22:05:00.001-07:00

Hi Courtney: It doesn't look like you have any issues blogging here --- you're doing great!

Word abstraction proposal

2007-09-25T11:13:00.001-07:00

Hi Patrick,
Now that the deadline has been moved back my group will send our proposal para through in the next couple days.
Thanks

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Picture Plane

2007-09-25T10:43:00.001-07:00

Hello Patrick

Here is our paragraph for the paper proposal (on picture plane)

Thanks Jennifer, Jason, Lauren, Ann & Crystal

Our group will discuss the picture plane which is "The window through which reality is perceived through art" (McCloud). This is how an artist uses the two dimensional to represent three dimensional reality. We will explain McCloud's Pictorial Vocabulary Triangle. We will discuss the idea of reality to abstraction, for example the transition of photographs to cartoons and look at how the graphic novel uses examples of this. We will also use examples from our primary texts to compare two dimensional to three dimensional images on the picture plane and prove which method is more effective. This summary will also include a extensive look at the background of the picture plane and the theories of its use within comics.

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form definitions

2007-09-24T11:25:00.001-07:00

So our group is doing form, and my group is doing half of the terms in the glossary that Stephen put on the blog for us. This is where we were supposed to discuss this, however, I don't see any posts. I have to admit that I have had my own issues with figuring this blog out- but, is anyone out there?

My group will take the first half of the terms, there are approximately 100+ terms. Our group will take the first half.

ALSO, Does anyone have any advice they can give me for this proposal?? I have no idea what to write/how long it should be, and I am sort of tweeking out....

Have a great day!!!!

Thanks,
Courtney :)

is this blog working?

2007-09-24T11:17:00.001-07:00

I am testing this out again, to see if I can see any posts on this blog....