Abstract This paper analyzes Anne Rubenstein's book "Bad Language, Naked Ladies, and other Threats to the Nation: A Political History of ComicBooks in Mexico". It discusses the impact that comics have had in shaping the Mexican political scene, as well as showing how the comics themselves served as a stage for the playing out of political and cultural battles, as Mexico grew from a very Catholic, sustenance-agrarian culture, to a modern industrial one. It shows how in the 1930s there was for the first time in Mexico, a literate or at least semi-literate force with a growing amount of spending cash for entertainment and while the new government may not have directly encouraged the reading of comicbooks, by promoting civil freedoms and providing economic support for independent publishers, it created an atmosphere that allowed comicbooks to proliferate.
From the Paper "In regarding this study it might be best to consider that the story of comic books in Mexico was but a microcosm that when studied gives one an idea of what was happening in Mexico from the 1930s to the 1970s, rather than something that truly shaped Mexican culture and politics into the 21st century. Rubenstein is aware of this concern and says as much, "Comic books and related periodicals were not the only forms of mass media and popular culture that were part of this process in postrevolutionary mexico. Similar stories could be told about many entertainments: shopping, television, recorded music, dance, cinema, cooking, fashion, and holidays, to name only a few."
Tags: economy, culture, periodicals, mass, media, postrevolutionary, entertainment
Abstract This paper examines how this film uses an original mix of fiction and reality, which illuminates the life of comicbook hero and everyman, Harvey Pekar. The paper also discusses the skill of an artist to communicate, focusing on the art of comics.
From the Paper "How does an artist communicate? In the paintings of the great classical artists, the colors, expressions of their subject's faces, and the surrounding activities all contributed to a mood and content of the times in which they wrote, as well as their own emotional connection to their painting. During the time of Michelangelo, when the human body was considered an art form his paintings and sculptured were created in fine detail, of beauty and specific realism. At the turn of the 20th century, Artists had a new idea, a new flavor to express in their work. The European art world had been dominated by the Michelangelo, his contemporaries, and his imitators for so long that public sentiment in the art world moved in new directions. In response to, or more aptly in reaction against, Claude Monet shoes a unique style, which communicated the beauty of the content, but in a swirl of dots and colors rather than smooth blended strokes. Impressionist art was suited for Monet, and he established his reputation by departing from the smooth colors blending and undetectable brush stroke of the Renaissance era."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the charge that superhero comicbooks are invariably sexist in their production and speak to deep-seated and traditional gender stereotypes. Historically, the writer argues that this has been almost exclusively the case, with some notable, if controversial, exceptions such as Wonder Woman. However, content analysis of three works by Alan Moore, 'Watchmen', 'Tom Strong' and 'Top 10', illustrate that it is possible to appropriate the traditionally sexist imagery of the superhero genre and utilize it to call attention to the gender stereotypes that permeate much of the comicbook industry. The writer notes that Moore's work has progressively satirized tropes in the superhero genre and have helped, inadvertently or not, through satire to call attention to the wealth of sexism apparent in portrayals of women in comics. The writer maintains that the implication of this hypothesis is that there may be an emerging trend toward the dissolution of traditional gender stereotypes in comicbooks.
Outline:
Introduction
Aim and Rationale
Content Analysis as a Methodological Approach
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion
From the Paper "Content analysis is the approach by which one examines a particular cultural text, and critically examines it to unearth specific socio-cultural trends and realities. Some might question this as a viable research method. After all, how useful is a critical analysis of comic books, when one is talking about a pervasive problem such as sexism? How can content analyses of popular movies add anything pertinent to contemporary discussions of poverty in Western nations?"
"The reality is, however, that cultural productions--such as novels, movies, and even comic books--can be powerful, if unintentional portals into the manifestations of cultural trends. Culture and society is really little more than the way in which people interact with one another and the artifacts that they create in the process. These artifacts might be songs or books or movies or ephemeral speeches and behaviors. But what they all share in common is an innate reflection of the socio-cultural trends and attitudes possessed by their creators or society at large. In other words, targeted content analysis of items such as comic books can reveal important information about the attitudes and beliefs of the society in which those particular artifacts were created."
Abstract This paper analyzes "Maus II" a comicbook story by Art Spiegelman, telling of the story of the Holocaust in a new approach. The paper describes Spiegelman's use of the mouse characters to humanize and personalize the tragedy. It illustrates how Spiegelman manages to address difficult subject matter in a reader-friendly manner by utilizing the methods of the comicbook to tell a very un-comic story.
From the Paper "Art Spiegelman's Maus II, a continuation of the story in Maus I, is part of a new approach to the telling of the story of the Holocaust. The form selected is the comic book format, and it has a number of powerful advantages. First, it is a fresh approach to a much-told story. Second, the use of the mouse characters interestingly humanizes and personalizes the tragedy much more than might a dry narrative. Third, the choice of a comic format serves the particular understanding of a visual society and a generation more attuned to the image than to the word. Fifth, the format may actually be a more palatable means of addressing such difficult subject matter for some people. Sixth, Spiegelman accomplishes all of this in an ironic fashion, utilizing the methods of the comic book to tell a very un-comic story."
Abstract This paper discusses how since childhood, people had been exposed to different forms of media, which can be in the form of broadcast (radio and TV), print and film media. It looks at how of all the forms of mass-communicated media, television and print are the most popular forms to children, since they contain audiovisual (for TVs) and visual (print) entertainment. It shows how the most prevalent forms of entertainment in broadcast and print media are cartoons and comicbook heroes, which are not only visually-stimulating for the audiences, but also full of stories that provide children room for make-believe and fantasy thinking in their imagination. It analyzes why comicbook heroes proliferate and what exactly they bring to their audience that makes them more appealing than any other forms of media entertainment and how these superhero shows affect the thinking and behavior of the audiences.
Outline
Introduction
Analysis of the Superhero Characters
Underlying Positive/Negative Messages of Superhero Character to the Audience
Bibliography
From the Paper "Wonder Woman is a DC Comics character who initially appeared in the 1941 issue of All-Star Comics, and was fully launched as the new female comic book character in Sensation Comics in the year 1942 (Wonder Woman Pages 2003). Like She-Ra, Wonder Woman was not a human character that developed into a superhero, but rather, she is a member of an alien planet called the Amazon world where women reign as the powerful, brave, and beautiful inhabitants of the said kingdom. Wonder Woman's power was bestowed by the powers of the deities or gods of the Greek mythology, and became involved with planet Earth and a member of the Justice Society when she was banished and became an outcast in the Amazon world."
Tags:comic, books, television, wonder, women, batman, media
Abstract This paper examines the comicbook "Maus" by Art Spielegman and analyzes how its portrayal of the history of the Holocaust is shown as subjective to its characters and relationships, mediated by time and memory. It looks at how Spielegman's task is challenging in its scope, in trying to grasp the human dimensions of an unfathomable experience of a Holocaust survivor. It evaluates how the medium of the comic strip aids in the creating a larger exposure to the story, as well as demonstrating the assembly of a history as a narrative through its use of inclusive interviews and interview methods.
From the Paper "Remembering is a construction of the past, clips of memory placed into frame. Maus examines the limitations of the techniques of recording experience, by engaging the problems of oral history and memory. The comic strip is a story about telling a story, the testimony of a witness to a significant historical event, as well as a telling of that event. Because it is only one man's story of the Holocaust, his interpretation is limited in the larger picture of the Holocaust. Yet it also becomes everyman's story due to the personalizing of the event, the ability an individual's story has to humanize and universalize. Artie discusses his father's romances, depression, things that would not otherwise be included or deemed important in a life history during a time of war and genocide. "
Abstract The paper states that the comicbook style format used in "Maus" by Art Spiegelman gives a fresh approach to a much-told story of the Holocaust. The paper reveals that the characters being portrayed as mice are seen in sharper relief as human concerns transferred to the world of the mice. The author believes that "Maus" concludes that the failure of so much of the rest of the world to do anything allows the evil of the Nazis to flourish.
From the Paper "In Vladek's world in the 1930s, being "human" meant living in fear and uncertainty. Each day, more people would disappear. If you walked through the wrong door at the wrong time, you could be one of those rounded up that day and taken away. At one point, Vladek sees the S.S. checking papers and slips away, and the S.S. took away half the people on the street that day. He escapes for a time through the intercession of friends who provide him with proof of a job manufacturing goods for Germany, which affords some protection (I 78). This also points to the central motif of the book and the central way in which human beings retain their humanity in the face of great opposition--they do so by helping one another. This happens again when Vladek sees Ilzecki, and Ilzecki takes him into his home to protect him (I 80). In such times, sacrifice comes in many forms--Ilzecki gives up his son to others to raise, and the son lives; Vladek's wife refuses to do the same with her son, and he does not survive (I 81)."
Abstract This paper discusses the background and early life of comicbook artist, entertainer, publisher, and successful businessman, Todd McFarlane. The paper explores the reasons behind his phenomenal success and the motivations that drove him to get where he is now. Also discussed are his accomplishments and how they have impacted our lives.
From the Paper "Meanwhile Todd continued to draw comic book characters and was determined to find a job in the industry. After countless rejections, he got his first break when Marvel/ Epic comics offered him a job in March 1984. From there onwards Todd continued to develop as a comic book artist and eventually became the number # artist at Marvel. His innovative penciling and covers for the Amazing Spider Man made it the number one title at Marvel Comics. Recognizing his talents, the company eventually gave him the opportunity to write, pencil and ink his own title"Spider Man. Todd had always had a passion for producing high-quality products. When given an opportunity to display his talents, he availed it with both hands and proceeded to produce the first copy of the Spider Man that hit the stands September 1990. It was an immediate hit and became the best-selling comic book of all times"selling 2.5 million copies."
Tags: calgary, baseball, seattle, mariners, spawn, marvel, epic, spider, man
This paper discusses the problem of historical representation in films, as seen in the international outcry over the United States box-office hit "300", by Zach Snyder.
Abstract This paper explains that Zach Snyder's "300" is a highly stylized depiction of the Battle of Thermopylae, which a small handful of ancient historians recorded as an epic against-the-odds battle between an enormous army of Persian invaders and a vastly smaller force of Greek Hoplites. The author points out that, unlike fantasy films, "300" is based on a real historical event with a real place and the names of real people; therefore, the literal on-screen actions are much more likely to be interpreted in symbolic terms. The paper relates that the comic-book style of the film, which is populated by a set of strange and bizarre creatures on both sides, further suggests that this film should not be taken too seriously. The author compares this problem of representation in "300" with D.W. Griffith's 1915 "The Birth of a Nation" and Edward Zwick's 2006 "Blood Diamond". This paper includes illustrations and an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "The film was widely criticized even at the time of its release for its intensely negative stereotyping of African-Americans. Examining The Birth of a Nation through the two questions posed above provides a significant counterexample to 300. By placing the story in a real, and relatively recent, time period and place, by directly referencing real people and social issues, and by using relatively realistic staging, the film asked viewers, in a sense, to view it as a meaningful historical document, a sort of tinted window into the past. The literal action clearly lends itself to a symbolic message."
Abstract This paper explains how printed books represent far more than mere information or 'texts' for those who read them. The availability of a great variety of materials from the Internet does not mean, automatically, that the printed book will become obsolete. Apart from practical considerations mentioned in this paper, much of the ongoing demand for books from the conventional publishing industry can be more cultural than economic. For many readers, there is a certain ritual to owning or borrowing, and reading a book, in conventional form, as opposed to merely downloading its contents from the Internet.
Abstract This paper reviews the book "The Art of Possibility," by Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Rosamund Stone, an artist and family therapist. The reviewer divides the book into two sections: Part one (chapters 1-5) explores the possibilities of the "invented" world; and part two explores different practices for transforming one's attitudes and approaches to problems that arise in business and personal relationships. The reviewer points out that the book is different from other self-help books in that it uses numerous examples of music education and playing to illustrate the major points.
From the Paper "The book's greatest strength comes from Zander's examples drawn from his passion for musical conducting, which highlight his creative and optimistic persona. His personality nearly leaps off the page, matching the candid photo on the jacket, which depicts him leaning against Stone, laughing heartily. However, the cult of personality is also the book's flaw: one can implement Zander's practices, but cannot graft his exuberance onto one's own persona. Many of his examples rely on his interaction with others, and as he says in the chapter "Lighting the Spark", ??certain things in life are better done in person.? (123). Overall, Art works best as a beginner's guide for those who seek to shift a few paradigms in life, and need inspiration for a new vision."
Abstract This paper reviews the book "The Art of Possibility," by Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Rosamund Stone, an artist and family therapist. The reviewer divides the book into two sections: Part one (chapters 1-5) explores the possibilities of the "invented"world; and part two explores different practices for transforming one's attitudes and approaches to problems that arise in business and personal relationships. The reviewer points out that the book is different from other self-help books in that it uses numerous examples of music education and playing to illustrate the major points.
From the Paper "The book's greatest strength comes from Zander's examples drawn from his passion for musical conducting, which highlight his creative and optimistic persona. His personality nearly leaps off the page, matching the candid photo on the jacket, which depicts him leaning against Stone, laughing heartily. However, the cult of personality is also the book's flaw: one can implement Zander's practices, but cannot graft his exuberance onto one's own persona. Many of his examples rely on his interaction with others, and as he says in the chapter "Lighting the Spark", "certain things in life are better done in person" (123). Overall, Art works best as a beginner's guide for those who seek to shift a few paradigms in life, and need inspiration for a new vision."
Abstract This paper argues that modern-day students are less likely to read books for stimulation then in previous times. The author argues that television and the internet have replaced books as a source of information, when faced with a choice between reading a book for pleasure or watching television, they will choose the latter. The author argues that books will always exist, but due to the advances in technology, their importance has been in a steady decline.
From the Paper "People of my generation have grown up on television, CD players, videogames, and most recently, computers and the Internet. With all these graphic-intensive, interactive alternative forms of entertainment available to students, it is no wonder why they are less likely to pick up a book to enlighten themselves when they can accomplish much of the same with much less effort and thinking involved."
Tags:books, mediation, internet, computers, encyclopedia, reference, television, entertainment
Abstract This paper discusses the book "The Book of Sand" by Jorge Borges about a man who buys the infinite book and becomes haunted with the idea that something can exist with no beginning and no end. His obsession grows and begins to take over his life. Eventually he realizes what the book is, causing him to finally hide it and with its removal, the man feels better though forever changed. This paper analyzes the obsessions and desperate emotions and describes how similar they are to the crippling effect that a forbidden love affair can have.
From the Paper "He cannot bear to share the book with anyone; for fear that the book will no longer hold its magical esteem once others know about it. As if suddenly the book will no longer be infinite, and he will lose what has become the focus of his life. Those desperate emotions are like the crippling effect that a forbidden love affair can have ? as if the passion I feel will no longer exist if someone knows about the affair. As if the love I feel for the other person will cease once the love has been shared with the world. As if the love I feel will be taken from me by its rightful owner."
Abstract The paper discusses the ancient Chinese "Book of Songs," a book of poems each of which is set to music so it can be sung. The book consists of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. The paper examines the various styles of songs that make up the book and how these songs were used to celebrate many occasions.
From the Paper "Chinese literature has a long history that begins with Shi Jing, or the Book of Songs. The original title of the work was Shi (Poems) and later Shi Sanbai (Three Hundred Poems). Each of the poems was set to music so it could be sung. The book finally consisted of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. Folk songs were popular among the people and made up the best part of the book. Ceremonial songs and sacrificial songs were sung primarily on sacrificial or ceremonial occasions as a means of eulogizing the merits and virtues of the Son of Heaven and of his forefathers (Churchill paras. 1-2). Shi Jing is one of the seminal works of Chinese Civilization, serving this role along with the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), the Book of History (Shu Jing),.."
