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INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMICS

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YOUR TASK:

  • Look at the example books given.
  • For each title, consider:
    • What immediately stands out to you about this comic/graphic novel?
    • What style traits get repeated throughout the book?
    • What do you notice about colour/lack of colour?

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What are some basic parts of comics?

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GUTTER

SPEECH BALLOON

PANEL

01

02

03

FIVE BASIC PARTS OF COMICS

-Space between panels

-Creates transition between story

-Action moves and flows because of it

-Single frame in a comic

-Each “box” when something happens

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-Dialogue spoken or expressed in the comic

-Internal dialogue: also known as a thought bubble

-External dialogue: speech between characters

-The outline of the panel

-Often are rectangles, but can be any shape or lack an obvious one

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-Often narration to give more details to provide context for what is happening (eg. time, location, etc.)

-Internal dialogue often uses this too

04

05

BORDER

TEXT BOX

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Is there a distinguishable, black border for the middle panel?

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TO GO… OR NOT TO GO?

Spend one moment and think to yourself what’s wrong with this photo.

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If you saw this as you were driving, would you GO or STOP?

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Then turn to your tablemates and discuss your answers.

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COLOURS ARE

ASSOCIATED WITH MANY THINGS*!

ALSO KNOWN AS COLOUR SYMBOLISM

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*Things like: emotions, concepts, items, etc.

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Describe the Comic Character!

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Take 30 seconds to decide on one word to describe the comic character shown based on the colours of their outfit

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Spider-man/Peter Parker

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Spider-man/Peter Parker

RED

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  • Excitement
  • Warmth
  • Love
  • Fire
  • Strength
  • Passion

BLUE

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  • Efficiency
  • Intelligence
  • Professional
  • Peace
  • Calmness

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The Joker

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The Joker

PURPLE

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  • Arrogance
    • Acts superior, thinks they’re a “big shot”
  • Gaudiness
    • Flashy, and not in a good way
  • Profanity
    • Rude, offensive
  • Inferiority
    • Not as good as something else

GREEN

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  • Jealousy
  • Illness
  • Greed
  • Corruption
  • Envy

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Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy

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Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy

WHITE

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  • Purity
  • Light
  • Hope
  • Simplicity

PINK

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  • Femininity
  • Sympathy
  • Health
  • Love

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Dark Phoenix/Jean Grey’s Evil Counterpart

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Dark Phoenix/Jean Grey’s Evil Counterpart

ORANGE

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  • Over emotional
  • Frustration
  • Warning

YELLOW

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  • Deceit
    • Tricks, lies
  • Depression
  • Hazard
  • Cowardice
    • Being a coward, lack of bravery

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Thor

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Thor

GREY/SILVER

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  • Elegance
  • Neutrality
  • Respect
  • Wisdom

RED

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  • Excitement
  • Warmth
  • Love
  • Fire
  • Strength
  • Passion

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Starfire/Princess Koriand'r

PURPLE

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  • Luxury
  • Quality
  • Creativity
  • Wisdom

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From Colour Flag:

  • Royalty

GREEN

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  • Eco
  • Environmental
  • Balance
  • Peace
  • Good luck

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From Colour Flag:

  • Safety

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Remember: Not every colour has to have meaning…

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The creator is the one who

chooses and knows

the true meaning of the art!

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Colour & Skim

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Why do you think Mariko and Jillian Tamaki chose not to use colour in Skim?