[Actually, the title should be the REvolution of Literature: comics offer a more dynamic way to tell a story]
By definition, comics is is an art form that features a series of static images in fixed sequence, usually to tell a story. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous. In fact, it varies widely.
There are different genres such as Crime comics, Romance comics or Alternative comics but we are more familiar with the American comic books, closely associated with the superhero genre, and Manga, that usually refers to Japanese comics.
It is thought that comics had their origin back to the Egyptian period (hieroglyphics). However, it is also thought that comics originated from the first newspapers strips; Actually, collections of strips in the 1930's led to the name comic book. Still, its origins remains unknown.
By definition, comics is is an art form that features a series of static images in fixed sequence, usually to tell a story. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous. In fact, it varies widely.
There are different genres such as Crime comics, Romance comics or Alternative comics but we are more familiar with the American comic books, closely associated with the superhero genre, and Manga, that usually refers to Japanese comics.
It is thought that comics had their origin back to the Egyptian period (hieroglyphics). However, it is also thought that comics originated from the first newspapers strips; Actually, collections of strips in the 1930's led to the name comic book. Still, its origins remains unknown.
To create a comic is, after all, to tell a story that comes from a subject which is developed in that story. In order to draw the pictures, the story must become a script where everything is detailed.
Any important comic writer knows that everyday things are important to make a succesful comic: the readers must enpathize with the characters; they must understand them and even humanize them. But, at the end, comics usually have the unexpected factor: the main characters have something (or go through something) that makes them special, something that the reader would not have in real life but he or she would like to have (i.e: a superpower, so they could do things easily).
Sumarizing, you have to "give birth" to reliable characters but, at the same time, characters you would admire (or that have something you would admire).
A web page made a list with the Top 20 comic writers of all time: Alan Moore in the first place ( creator of "The Watchmen"), Stan Lee ("Spiderman" or "The x-men") and, closing the list, Mark Millar and Jim Starlin ("The Fantastic Four" or "Wolverine").
Any important comic writer knows that everyday things are important to make a succesful comic: the readers must enpathize with the characters; they must understand them and even humanize them. But, at the end, comics usually have the unexpected factor: the main characters have something (or go through something) that makes them special, something that the reader would not have in real life but he or she would like to have (i.e: a superpower, so they could do things easily).
Sumarizing, you have to "give birth" to reliable characters but, at the same time, characters you would admire (or that have something you would admire).
A web page made a list with the Top 20 comic writers of all time: Alan Moore in the first place ( creator of "The Watchmen"), Stan Lee ("Spiderman" or "The x-men") and, closing the list, Mark Millar and Jim Starlin ("The Fantastic Four" or "Wolverine").
Comic books have had a great impact on society and, mainly, in minorities. This is really obvious with The X-men series: gay people, for example, in the 70's felt the same way the mutants did: none of them fit in Society. The X-men are a superhero team (created, as we've seen above, by Stan Lee). Their name comes from their special powers due to their possesion to "X-gene" that gives mutants their abilities. They're just a few (not a few, more like hundreds), so they are outcasts. Every power is different and not all of them have the same impact in the people that have them. Angel is a mutant that can fly but with the help of wings; Rogue can involuntarily absorbs and sometimes also removes the memories, physical strength, and (in the case of superpowered persons) the abilities of anyone she touches. She considers her powers a curse because prevented her from making any physical contact with others.
X-men can definitely be interpreted as an allegory for the LGBT community: Teenagers are afraid to tell their parents that they have power (are gay). Some parents accept them for who they are some disown their kids for who they are. In fact, one of the most acclaimed series of the X-men was Astonishing X-men (written by Joss Whedon, who I deeply admire). The story, (which serves as plot for the third statement of the X-men franchise), starts with the creation of a cure; a cure that would enable the murants to lost their abilities and become normal people (There's the whole talk of people [not only talking about the Church] trying to find/ talk abouting "curing" the gays). We could ask ourselves: What is it normal? Do we even know it? Does becoming normal involves losing your "power", the thing that makes you special (weather you wanted it or not)?
There are really few (actually) "gay" characters in comics, but in late years we can find some in the new series of X-men (like "Young x-men") and Apollo and Midnighter in "the Authority" (a must-read comic book; at least, Volume I).
Also, a classic, Superman, deals with Loneliness: the fact that Clark Kent is a misfit, the only one left from his planet and the only one in ours. "Earth one" is a new approach to Superman, a new series that redefine the superhero to introduce him to new generations (and in this new start, that you should totally read if you didn't!, we can see a much darker Clark in his teenage years*).
*Well, yes, maybe even we are late but new generations, younger (than us ;) ones, would totally enjoy these issues.
Winter
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