Comic+Analysis

__**//GRAPHIC NOVEL ANALYSIS//**__



NICHOLAS WIRADHARMA STUDENT NUMBER: 996350390 PROF. MICHAEL JONES CCT300H5 DUE DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2009

Many people associate comics with the popular belief that they are a form of sequential art that simply include images and words to tell a story. However according Scott McCloud, the author of //__Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art__//, understanding comics is more than meets the eye. McCloud demonstrates through his knowledgeable graphic novel that comics are an iconic form of art that act as a medium for communication and through analysis of graphic novels one can understand the concept which McCloud states that comics is an “Invisible Art”. //__V for Vendetta__// by Alan Moore is a popular graphic novel containing several elements that are mentioned in Scott McCloud’s analytical graphic novel. The most important concepts of analysis stated by McCloud are strongly used in Alan Moore’s //__V for Vendetta.__// These aspects include; the use of image, framing elements, and how the author incorporates both these aspects together to create flow. Image elements contain important aspects such as; the use of colour, lines, text, and the level of detail in images and characters. Framing elements is another important factor in the analysis of a comic, which includes; camera angles, lighting, close-ups, and time frames. McCloud states that “what is not included inside the frame of a comic is just as important as what is included.” This area of the comic is referred to as the “gutter,” which is the space between the comic panels. This looks at the types of moment changes between time frames and also the creation of closure between scenes. Flow is the most significant aspect of analyzing a graphic novel because it demonstrates how the author is able to incorporate both image and framing elements simultaneously. By using McCloud’s model of analyzing a graphic novel one is able to correctly analyze //__V for Vendetta__// by Alan Moore, and thus ultimately uncover the true meaning of comics as the “Invisible Art”.
 * Graphic Novel Analysis: V for Vendetta **

The graphic novel, //__V for Vendetta__//, takes place in the late 1990’s and is a story about a corrupted tolitarian society in Great Britain. During this period of time a facist government called the “Nosefire” dominated Great Britain after a great nuclear war. The society and government portrayed similar characteristics of the horrific events occurring in World War II, specifically focusing on the reign of Hitler. In //__V for Vendetta__//, the government in power eradicated any culture that interfered with their own idea of societal image and values. Groups of visible minorities were sent into concentration camps or what was referred to as, “resettlement” camps, where they were tortured and murdered. They even murdered white’s who were homosexuals were targeted as well. Books, films, and music were banned that contained any information regarding previous cultures. It became evident that society became a slave to propaganda. Through this oppressive society emerged a radical advocate named “V”, who was desperate to send a message to society rebelling against the government. “V” would engage in various dangerous behaviours such as; destroying monumental political buildings, and assassinating significant individuals who contributed to the oppression of society. The graphic novel surrounds the thrilling story of V’s quest to overthrow the government.

Author, Alan Moor uses various image elements in his graphic novel, //__V for Vendetta,__// to replicate the atmosphere of this oppressive, tolitarian society. Just by flipping through the pages of the graphic novel one can easily identify the strong use of colour by Alan Moore. He uses a dark colour pallet, which surround various shades of colours such as black, grey and blue. The significance of the usage of these particular colours is to help portray the dark and gloomy setting in which Moore is trying to create. The gloomy shades of black and grey are a reflection of the oppressive and controlled society. In the graphic novel “Evey,” a character that “V” rescues in the early stages of the novel, speaks about the reason why there is always darkness in the setting is because of the result from the nuclear war. Moore is effective in constantly creating this dark and ominous atmosphere while at the same time attaching dark emotions such as; sorrow and depression to set the tone for the reader. Another key image element that is strongly incorporated by Moore is the use of lines in his graphic novel. In this //__V for Vendetta__// the lines that used are vague, undefined, and almost appear to be rough but strongly detailed sketches. In Scott McCloud’s //__Understand Comics: The Invisible Art__//, these types of lines can be characterized as “savage or deadly” which contributes to the mood that author Alan Moore is attempting to portray in //__V for Vendetta__//. Moore uses a lot of shading using rough and gritty lines to add emphasis to the darkness around characters and the background of his images. This provides the sense of instability in the setting creating a suspenseful aspect to the reader’s experience. The use of text can also play a major roll in setting moods in a graphic novel. Alan Moore utilizes italic, capitalized and bold fonts to create a suspenseful experience for the reader. This font is used to build the dark setting and plot that is being portrayed. Similar to the use of lines, small image elements such as fonts can make a real impact on how the setting is perceived. The level of detail in the characters and background is one of most important elements when analyzing a graphic novel. Alan Moore’s effective use of images represents forms of photo realism, which tend to focus on a strong level of detail particularly in the characters facial features and expressions. Characters in the graphic novel //__V for Vendetta__// appear to be very rugged yet detailed due to Moore’s use of shading and incorporating the use of colours. If you look closely at the characters in //__V for Vendetta__//, you will notice that a majority of the time a lot of the characters lack any form of happiness such as laughter and smiling. The ironic thing is that “V” is the only character that portrays any sense of happiness by his vivid grin that appears on his mask. Co-incidence? Definitely not. Lastly, the background used in these frames also incorporate a large amount of detail. The strong use of different shades of dark colours, compliment the images of the characters in the foreground. Moore has manipulated his images to the very last detail incorporating visual aspects of various uses of colour, text and line, while at the same time still producing the dark and oppressing atmosphere which he vividly attempts to invent.

Another important element in analyzing graphic novels is how the author chooses to structure images to present the story, which is referred to as the framing elements. Alan Moore is notorious for his strong use of camera angles in his graphic novels, particularity in //__V for Vendetta__// to develop a form of suspense for the reader. Moore uses a variety of camera angles to demonstrate this such as; close-ups and the types of moment changes in time. In the particular case of //__V for Vendetta__//, the use of framing contributes to the horror and tension Moore attempts to create in the way he presents mysterious character “V”. In this graphic novel “V” is portrayed in a variety of different angles but interestingly enough “V’s” face is rarely portrayed. Moore does this on purpose to create a sense of dramatic suspense in his character portraying “V” as this mysterious masked man. Moore also tends to use close ups on characters when he tries to emphasize important facial expressions of certain characters. This mainly surrounds the expressions of fear and violence. The reader gets a strong feeling of the type of setting the author is trying to create. Moore uses a lot of “aspect to aspect” and “scene to scene” motion changes between scenes. “Aspect to aspect” motion changes often tend to create a feeling of being in the same place but looking at things in different views. This abstract use of motion changes is often used to add intensity to certain parts of the plot. “V” is portrayed in multiple different angles appearing into scenes from nowhere, in an attempt to strike a sense of fear in readers and to create an ominous and eerie understanding of his character. Moore tends to use several forms of flashbacks from the nuclear war and also likes switches from scene to scene in //__V for Vendetta.__// This is referred to as a form of “scene-to-scene” motion changes. This type of motion change is crucial in the reader’s understanding of the plot because it involves the use of closure, which is the ability to put scenes together to follow and understand what is going on. Alan Moore did an excellent job in identifying “scene-to-scene” transitions because he often included text in the top left hand corner to notify the reader of a different time period or setting. In Scott McCloud’s //__Understand Comics: The Invisible Art__//, he states “what is not included inside the frame of a comic is just as important as what is included.” This is referred to as the “Gutter,” which is the space between the panels of the comics. Moore uses these gaps to build suspense using variations of different time frames between images. In //__V for Vendetta__//, the moments surrounding suspense often had small moment changes between time frames. This adds emphasis to certain elements of plot. An example of this occurs in the abduction of Mr. Prothero, one of the propaganda radio newscasters. In this scene, events happen in a short amount of time but are stretched over various images to build apprehension and intensity to the reader’s experience. The elements of framing are crucial to the graphic novel’s structure in effectively presenting the storyline, plot, and evoking feelings of thrill and suspense in the reader.

Most importantly it is essential for an artist to be able to incorporate both image and framing elements to create a sense of flow in their comics. Alan Moore is able organize these elements strategically in //__V for Vendetta__// to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. Using the underlying aspect of every image and frame, Moore attempts to portray the underlying mood of the setting and plot to create an atmosphere based on darkness and suspense. The absence of any of these elements such as the use of colours or the different angles in which Moore portrays his characters, the reader would certainly not get the same reading experience. Being able to incorporate both the image and the frame elements properly and in sync can allow readers to experience a great sense of closure. One of Moore’s strength is his ability to use the appropriate amount of frames to portray a scene. This includes not using too much or too little frames to complete the storyline effectively. For example during flashbacks, Alan Moore tries to use the least amount of slides to explain the history of “V” and the concentration camps. The space between time frames are a lot bigger in comparison to moments in the plot where things would be a bit more suspenseful. Moore effectively was able to use his flashbacks by not using too many frames and tell his story while maintaining the readers attention. Due to the fact that there is a lot detail in Moore’s frames, the use of different camera angles also play a strong role so that the reader is able to have enough closure to complete the storyline without using unnecessary frames and limited text. Thus Moore has been effective in his incorporation of image and frame elements by using an appropriate amount of frames to demonstrate a strong sense of flow.

In conclusion, Alan Moore’s //__V for Vendetta__//, contains many aspects covered in Scott McCloud’s //__Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art__//, thus ultimately making it an effective graphic novel. Being able to understand the use of image and framing elements allows readers to look at comics more in depth and to be able to interpret the comic’s underlying messages in and outside of the frame. Alan Moore carefully puts together these elements to form his masterpiece, //__V for Vendetta__//. Through this graphic novel it is evident that each frame carries an underlying message that the author is trying to convey. Moore uses various techniques such as use of colours, camera angles, and detailing to emphasize the tone, atmosphere, and to aid the plot effectively. By being able to put together these elements correctly it creates a sense of flow for the reader, ultimately making the comic more enjoyable and easier for the reader to interpret the messages and plot the author is trying to convey. Lastly, through graphic novels like Alan Moore’s //__V for Vendetta,__// by applying McCloud’s elements of comic analysis one can understand that there is more to just comics that what meets the eye, and hopefully it will help unravel the reasoning behind McCloud’s theory on how comics is a form of “Invisible Art.”