The definition of comics: juxtaposed pictures and other images consciously arranged to convey information or stimulate the viewer’s aesthetics of acceptance，it is a continuous art. Comics has been used as a low-level pastime for a long time, thinking that its readers are only children and some adults who have not grown up. In fact, its history can even be traced back to the work murals of ancient Egypt, and modern comics appeared as early as the 20th century. Compared with the movies that appeared in the early 20th century, the difference between comics and movies is not essential. Movies are A picture that continuously appears with a higher frequency is also a continuous art.
The entire picture vocabulary of comics includes: reality, language, and the graphic plane itself. Here, reality refers to the use of various degrees of abstraction icons to allow people to experience the real sensory world, and language expresses non-iconified specifications in the most abstract form. And what the graphic plane expresses is itself. Comics is a single-sensory medium, which only relies on visuals to convey information to the audience. But between the grids, there is no need for any sense organ, instead, all the sense organs are activated. In comics, the content can also be simplified or added. In order to achieve this delicate balance, the author regularly envisions the reader’s experience, and only leaves clues to the reader by not showing specific scenes at all. The cartoonist can trigger any picture in the reader’s imagination.
How do we express time in comics? A silent cell describes a single moment, but in comics, the length of time and dimension is more determined by the content of the frame, rather than the frame itself. Therefore, we will learn to use space to express time in our study, because in the comics world, time and space are the same thing. For example: changing the content, number, spacing, and shape of the grid.
How to show comics? It doesn’t matter which language or images are used interchangeably, it’s important to be able to express clearly. Meanwhile, the following 6 points constitute comic art: concept/purpose, form, style, structure, craftsmanship, and surface. Color is also a major element in comics. Colors make the subject of the depiction become objectified, making it easier to recognize the physical form of objects than black and white paintings, awakening memories, evoking emotions, and serving as an environment. In black and white comics, the concepts behind art can be conveyed more directly, meaning surpasses form, and art is close to language. In flat-color comics, the form itself is more important, and the world becomes a playground of shape and space. And through more expressive colors, comics can become an intoxicating emotional environment through colors.
The combination of all of the above is today’s understanding of comics. However, comics are constantly evolving. When entering the next century, comic artists will pursue more and higher goals.