'Understanding Comics' Chapter 2 Summary

The second chapter of the Scott McCloud book ‘Understanding Comics’ continues on after the first and focuses more so on the ideas behind comics and how they are presented in different ways to present different meanings to different lifestyles.

McCloud looks in detail at the concept of the artistic forms (Language, realistic art and icons and symbols in particular) and the ideals behinds these forms. There is a large difference between realism and abstraction, and the chapter details how the more abstract art of cartoons can often allow for a better expression of ideals thanks to their simplistic form and focus on only important details. This simplistic form also allows a broader classification of their imagery, allowing more people to readily accept them and to see themselves in the artwork (Possibly explaining why people have such a connection with cartoons especially at a young age)

McCloud also looks at a variety of comics and their artistic merit on a scale between ‘reality, meaning and the picture plain’ and how different placement on this scale can create an assortment of meanings to different people. Similarly, we looked into how different forms of animation/artwork are utilised in a variety of cultures to impact on their viewers in certain ways. For instance, how Disney would use large eyes and other ‘cute’ features on young Simba within the Lion King movie to appeal to the younger (Or softer) audience, or how Japanese manga will use vivid face distortions in a highly abstract form to appeal to the humour of the Japanese youths.

Lets take a look at two pieces of art to cement this theory





This first is an Expressionist piece, the second is Realism. The first is more open to interpretation, it is abstract so there is no one solid meaning to what you see. And the artist has chosen their own colour palette and brush strokes, the piece is made from painting something but in their own way to fashion how they want you to respond to it. It is a piece that wants to capture you more to think about meaning. While the second, it is an artist trying to replicate a real situation. It is realistic art. There is little room for interpretation, it is simply what is seen. The artist is trying to show their prowess, highlighting their skill rather than craft meaning. This is what McCloud is trying to say, that artists can use symbolism or different ways of displaying their art to make the viewer approach and understand their pieces in different ways.

Essentially, the chapter details how comics use abstraction to focus more on ideas behind the artwork and how different delivery of these pictures can lead to different interpretations, both artistically and intellectually.