Difference between revisions of "Time in comics"

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'''Time in comics''' is a very difficult and complex concept because it ultimately involves representing time as space.  Representing time in comics requires convincing the reader, primarily through [[closure]], that a certain amount of time passes in a panel or in between panels.  For example, text in comics represents sound, which by nature happens over time.  As the reader reads the text in a panel, his or her previous experience with words lead him or her to read the text as if it were being spoken out loud over time (this is a perfect example of closure).  Time in comics, which is a fundamental part of the comics experience, comes entirely from the reader's interaction with the medium, which is why comics is considered a [[Hot versus cool media|cool medium]].
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'''Time in comics''' is a very difficult and complex concept because it ultimately involves representing time through spatial concepts.  Representing time in comics requires convincing the reader, primarily through [[closure]], that a certain amount of time passes in a panel or between panels.  For example, text in comics represents sound, which by nature happens over time.  As the reader reads the text in a panel, his or her previous experience with words directs him or her to read the text as if it were being spoken out loud, over time (this is a perfect example of closure).  Temporal aspects of a narrative can also be established by visual elements of comics, such as size or length of panels or iconic figures (a clock, for example).  Time in comics, which is a fundamental part of the graphic novel experience, comes entirely from the reader's interaction and engagement with the medium, which is why comics are considered to be a [[Hot versus cool media|cool medium]].

Revision as of 21:09, 21 May 2007

Time in comics is a very difficult and complex concept because it ultimately involves representing time through spatial concepts. Representing time in comics requires convincing the reader, primarily through closure, that a certain amount of time passes in a panel or between panels. For example, text in comics represents sound, which by nature happens over time. As the reader reads the text in a panel, his or her previous experience with words directs him or her to read the text as if it were being spoken out loud, over time (this is a perfect example of closure). Temporal aspects of a narrative can also be established by visual elements of comics, such as size or length of panels or iconic figures (a clock, for example). Time in comics, which is a fundamental part of the graphic novel experience, comes entirely from the reader's interaction and engagement with the medium, which is why comics are considered to be a cool medium.