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This book not only helped legitimize a misunderstood art form for a new generation, it also changed my perception on how I philosophically view the world. I've read this book many times now and have shared it with many of my non-comic exposed friends. They have all been taken aback by the amazing essay that explores the human condition in a friendly and accessible way. Whether you are a fan of comics or not, this book should have value for everyone.
In fact, so much of this book is about what you DON'T SEE in a comic and why that is just as important as what you do see.This is college course material, hands down. Put aside any notions you may carry that comic books are for kids. No student or creator can pass this gem up and believe they have received a solid education on visual story-telling.After writing an impressive history of comics that explores the foundational linguistic methodology of a marriage between art and story, McCloud plunges into the philosophical depths of representation and Platonic Idealism. In fact, tuck away any notion that comics are just for fun too, because McCloud takes readers on a journey through history, culture, time, and space in Understanding Comics. He does it all with a great wit and an eye for the kinds of things a casual observer might miss. And if that last sentence conjures up images of a boring college classroom and a rambling professor, then forget it because McCloud couples all this knowledge with a sense of humor that burns through fabulous illustrations on every page.Learning has never been this much fun. This is must have book, don't miss the chance to own it and allow it to transform not just the way you see comic books, but the way you view the world as well.
This book provides an incredibly in-depth discussion on what comics are, why they exist, and how they are related to other forms of art. If you love comics, this book is a must-read and if you think comics are a waste of time then this book is a must-read for you as well. It helped me see comics in a whole new light.great work Scott.
The way he explains comics and how we process them blew my mind. I just finished reading this and absolutely loved it. He looks at some history of where comics come from, representing time in comics, different types of transitions between comic frames, how we process different styles, and a ton of other fascinating topics. I've read comics on and off my whole life and have recently been trying to get into them again. I picked this book up after hearing how good it was. It gets a bit heavy at points but that is where it shines. It is like a psychological and cultural look at comics.I highly recommend this book to any comics fan and as a gift to anyone who doesn't understand comics.
had to buy this for a class and was happy to get it for this price. great book too. (i went ahead and bought McCloud's other books on comics as well
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