PB1A

Few genres of writing have features as visually appealing and attention-grabbing as the comic book. For the past few decades, a rise in the production of comics has captivated both young and old generations. Many people can recall the marvel of entering a book store to see piles upon piles of comics, offering an adventure in each with a smell of fresh paper print. 

      What makes a comic book any different from other kinds of writing? The drawings on each page immediately come to mind. In fact, the pictures take up more space than the wording. Vivid colors and visual detail replace the need for a description, which can turn an otherwise dull read fast-paced and to-the-point. Comics may not be the best source of writing for those who want to be fully immersed and engaged with the plot. Visuals serve as a supplement to the script. Of course, a narration may be occasionally used to clarify the plot, but for the most part, words make up the dialogue or actual plot development. Comics are also  home to the iconic sound effects, such as 'POW' when punch lands or 'BOOM' when an explosion happens. These short little onomatopoeias fill up a large portion of a panel, popping out of the page for extra visual effect.

     

     Besides being in books, comics may also be shown as strips, lined up in rows of panels in a newspaper section. Many can relate to the feeling of excitedly flipping through a newspaper, ignoring all the news and politics to stop at a page fully dedicated to cartoons and laughs. These individual strips provide a short story through just a few boxes, enough to pass off a joke or absurd situation. For the casual reader, comics provide an amusing, sometimes whimsical story and perhaps a quick little escape from reality. In contrast, comics can come in long series, requiring many books to tell a story. Comics have gained such a huge fanbase that there are whole stores that focus on selling and displaying.These are often directed towards a more committed audience where reading comics may even be their hobby. For the committed enthusiast, comics mean more than just pretty pages with a little action packed fiction. They take pride in owning a rare edition. They collect; the stash would be boldly and openly displayed or perhaps kept in a locked room for the owner's eyes only. But these are the extreme cases. 

     Even in comic books themselves, there are varied topics and genres. People typically associate comics with superheroes and villains, cutting out many other well-known titles such as the Peanuts or Calvin and Hobbes. These types of comics generally incorporate a realistic setting with everyday situations that may be more emotionally relatable. They set a lighter mood by adding jokes and taking out intense violence seen in action comics. Children can enjoy these books simply by looking at the bubbly artwork, while an older audience can appreciate the subtle satire or mature joke that the author slipped in.