Scott McCloud Reading Response

I have come across Understanding Comics several times, but I have never had the chance to read it. From what I read in this chapter, I can say that I really love the format that everything is presented in. The way that it is illustrated and displays everything that he is talking about makes it easy to understand. I particularly liked McCloud's method of explaining how time passes in comics--in particular, the "pause" section. I thought it was interesting how the frame's length and boarder can give the reader different connotations of the time that is passing. The section on movement was helpful in some ways too. It displayed different methods of depicting time within in stagnant image. Overall, I thought that the most helpful aspect of this chapter--in terms of our project--is the section on framing. The Japanese style of comics (shown on page 732) shows various angles in the strip, all of which are changed with intrigue. The different perspectives they take pull the reader into the story more. It also adds excitement. To me, these frames in particular are the most reminiscent of film shots.

This was a very enjoyable read.