Self Directed Comic Critique

Name of the critter:

Name of the critiqued:

Does the comic look finished? What is the subject of the comic?

Who are the characters? Describe them. Describe their relationships/interactions with one another.

What types of panel transitions are used? Is there any confusion about the order in which they’re read?

Does the artist make the most of their page layouts? Is it well designed? Do they make the most of page their page turns?

What types of word/picture relationships are used?

Is the lettering legible and consistent? Does it compliment the art? Are there any grammatical errors?

Is the art clear? Can you tell what is going on at each stage? Does the art look finished? Does it look professional? Why or why not?

How is the pacing? Is it too fast or too slow? Do any sections need to be compressed or decompressed?

How has the artist handled the freedom of directing their own project? Are there too many pages or too few? Is the comic finished? What observations have you made about this artist’s comics over the semester?

Microfiction Adaptation

Read the selection of pieces from a collection of very short stories (Microfiction, edited by Jerome Stern), and chose one story to translate into a 2-4 page visual sequence. Don’t focus on accommodating every line of text. Instead, try to use as little narration as possible and place a stronger emphasis on finding visual ways of recreating the same effects the writer achieved with literary conventions, such as the metaphor. A comparison of Paul Auster’s City of Glass and David Mazzucchelli’s adaptation is a great example of this being done well.

Microfiction adaptation thumbnails due 10/20 (Please scan and email these to me before class)

Microfiction adaptation due 10/29 to be critiqued 11/3

MIcrofiction Critique

Name of the critter:

Name of the critiqued:

Does the sequence look finished? What is the subject of this sequence?

Is this a successful adaptation of the short story? Are the important narrative elements from the short story included in this adaptation? Is anything missing or misinterpreted?

What types of word/picture relationships are present? Site a few examples.

Can you understand the sequence without the words? Can you understand the narrative without the images?

Is the lettering legible and consistent? Does it compliment the art?

Is the art clear?  Can you tell what is going on at each stage? Does the aesthetic match the subject matter?  Does the art look finished? Be specific, citing both positive and negative examples.

How is the pacing? Too fast or too slow?

Is there ever confusion as to what order in which to read the panels?

Is the page well-organized? Does the layout of the panels add to the communication of the story?

How is the “acting” in the strip? Are the character’s facial expressions and body language clear?

20 Phylacteries!

Phylactery is the name for speech scrolls which appeared in medieval art, and is a fancy way of saying “word balloon” when talking about comics. Create a one or two page comic in which you use at least fifteen different phylacteries and fifteen different approaches to lettering in your comic. The word balloons and lettering should be carefully considered and created with great care. They are not secondary to the art.

Think about your text as supporting characters.  What would very icy words from someone look like?  How can you depict a heated debate with your text and/or balloon?  What are you communicating if your words are too big for your balloon and pop out of it?  What are you communicating if your words are microscopic inside of a large, empty balloon?  What happens if there IS NO balloon?

Furthermore, think back to the idea of synaesthetics from Chapter 5.  Can you also incorporate the other senses with your balloons and lettering?  Give it a try!

20 Phylacteries Comic is due on 10/1 to be critiqued on 10/3.

Seven Silent Deadly Sins Comic Critique

Name of critter:

Name of critiqued:

Does the sequence look finished?

What is the subject of the sequence? 

What is the complete action or story arc?

Is the art clear?  Can you tell what is going on at each stage?  Be specific, citing both positive and negative examples.

Can you follow each action?  Can you tell what is being shown?

Is the art compelling?  Be specific.

Does the work avoid using words?

Are all seven sins (wrath, lust, sloth, gluttony, pride, avarice, envy) represented?  Can you tell which sins are which?

Describe the pacing. Does it change? If so, does the change reinforce the narrative or hurt it?

Is the story effectively told with the existing number of panels? Are there superfluous panels or does the story need more – if so, where and why?

Is there ever confusion about the reading order of the panels?

Is the page well-organized?  Does the layout of the panels add to the communication of the story or detract from it?

How is the “acting” in the strip?  Are the characters’ facial expressions and body language clear? Do they emote well?

Is the strip interesting?  Would you want to read more?  If so, why?  IF not, what is missing?

Seven Silent Deadly Sins

Create a comic between one and four pages in which the seven “deadly” sins are committed. No one actually has to die, however – I know how much you kids like murder. And they’re “silent” because this is the last assignment in which you’re not allowed to use words. The sins can be committed by one character or by multiple characters, and may be committed in any order you choose. Icons, symbols, pictographs, and even wordless word balloons may be used to illustrate the sins. You are not, however, allowed to label the sins.

Really evaluate your thumbnail sketches and concepts before you begin. Are some of the sins quickly and clearly communicated or can some sins be easily confused for others? Can this be done efficiently and effectively in just one page or do you need the full four pages?

The sins are:

Wrath
Lust
Sloth
Gluttony

Pride

Avarice (basically greed)

Envy

Seven Silent Deadly Sins is due Monday, September 29.

Hurry Up and Wait Critique

Hurry Up and Wait

Name of the critter:

Name of the critiqued:

Does the sequence look finished?  How is the craft? 

Is the art clear?  Can you tell what is being depicted?  Be specific, citing both positive and negative examples.

What is the subject of this sequence?  What is the complete action or story arc? 

How is the pacing?  Are there two different paces being shown?  Which character experiences slower time, and which experiences a faster time?

Can you follow the action?  Can you tell what is being shown in each panel and over the course of the comic?  Is there ever confusion as to what order in which to read the panels?

Is the page (or pages) well-organized?

How is the “acting” in the strip?  Are characters’ facial expressions and body language clear?  Do the expressions emote correctly?

Is the strip interesting?  Would you want to read more strips like this?  Why or why not?  If not, what is missing?