The Graphic Novel as Literature

The concept of using animation and comics as a method to tell a historic or literary story is an incredible convention for these methods of storytelling. Such as in Asterios Polyp many of the techniques, such as the use of color and the way the design is able to convey a deeper meaning for the interaction of the characters. When Asterios and his wife first meet their colors are entirely separate, and they exist within different worlds, while as they come to know one another better, and they slowly form into one, their world develops into purple. While this could have been done in a conventional novel I believe it's more effectively displayed when using the graphic medium as opposed to a purely verbal one. The strong ideas, and deeper meanings that animation and comics is able to convey to the reader makes them an entirely viable, and in some cases even more effective method of storytelling than more traditional mediums. Using animation as a way to tell a documentary, such as Barefoot Gen, can be a means of conveying horrifying, and critically important aspects of our histories that may lose some of this gravity when presented in a traditional film making way. The idea of all aspects of learning, the visual, and the verbal coming together in one form to tell stories and show the reader a new way of thinking are impeccable. Comics and animation have never been, and should not become, just a thing for children. Even the most popular children's comics can still teach adults valuable things about themselves and the world around us. Animation and comics are a crucial building block in our society, and I hope that we can continue to use, and develop these mediums even more in the years to come.