'Understanding Comics' Chapter 3 Summary

The third chapter of the Scott McCloud’s ‘Understanding Comics’ explains how the spaces between frames in comics, know as the gutter, are a special element that only comics can capture and how their power over the reader is utilised with different techniques and in different cultures.

Within the chapter, McCloud outlines how the gutter allows the reader to paste together their own version of what happens between frames, ultimately immersing the reader deeper in the comic. And how throughout comics, different types of transitions between times and actions and the use of the gutter can effect the flow of the comics and the ultimately the way the reader interoperates the storyline. McCloud also explores the percentage of each kind of transitions used in Western and Eastern comic styles, showing how certain use of these transitions can reflect the country’s history of art and how their artists choose to tell their stories artistically.

The idea of the reader/viewer putting together their own version of a story without actually seeing everything is similar to what we discussed about the lack of a human pushing the lawnmower in the Cain Toad video.



We also looked at anime like 'Grave of the Fireflies' where animators will not animate certain sequences, rather having static images in frame and using sound to fashion the idea of whats happening in the background (This is also an effective way of cutting animation costs, and doesn't detract from the actual film itself). We don't see what happens but thanks to the sounds our minds are able to put together whats happening with closure and progress the story forward. Even in horror films, you may not see the fatal stab but you hear the scream or see blood splatter across the wall. Your mind judges how violent the attack from your past experiences and closure yet again allows directors to cut down on production cost (In a totally artistic fashion of course).

We automatically assume such things due to conditioning with situations before, enhancing our viewing experience in a similar way we can with comics. This, plus the contrasts and similarities between Western and Eastern styles and how they intend on affecting the viewer was also touched on in class when comparing the styles of Osamu Tezuka and early American cartoons.

Overall, McCloud aims to educate us on how a simple, unique addition only found in comics can enhance our reading experience exponentially and how different cultures and artists use this to various advantages.