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How do you understand comics?

Before I read Understanding Comics pages 1-59, I thought I had a firm grasp on the concept of comics. I always believed it was essentially a book with pictures and words, or the best part of the Sunday paper. Growing up I was a huge fan of comic books. I would immerse myself in the world of super heroes. I enjoyed heroes like Spiderman, Captain America, and the X-men, Thor, The incredible Hulk and any others. My favorite superhero was always Iron Man. I always understand comics to be pure fun and adventure. The first chapter of Understanding Comics really exposed me to the true meaning of comic books. A juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or an aesthetic response in the viewer. While reading this book I was taken aback by the thought of a comic being used for educational purposes I always thought they were just for entertainment. Before if I was asked, “what is a Comic?’ I would have probably replied, “A humorous sequence of picture and words”. I would have said this because of my Marvel comic and Sunday paper comic. I’m still learning but my views on comics are reflections of my childhood. I still think Iron man is the best super hero and comics are one of the most entertaining things to do. When watching a movie about a comic book character it’s not as great as reading the comic itself. The comic book gives you just enough to let your imagination run wild and really make this story great in your own way. When I wasn’t playing a sport or hanging out with friends I would read comics. My brother and I would walk down to the Coliseum of Comics, and by a new one every week. I always understand comics to be a medium with endless possibilities. Heroes were not bound by the same characteristics that we are bound by in real life. This added a sort of magic to my life that was much needed in my life, and in other lives. I believe comics help form and expand imagination, take Superman for example. One moment he is a regular paper pusher, next page he is this all powerful being that protects the world for truth and justice. This would not be possible if it wasn’t for your imagination. Without that, the comic would be just pictures and words grouped together. Comics provide unbounded potential to create all methods of fantasy, reality, emotion, and excitement. The entertainment value of them was tremendous growing up it was practically better than television and movies. I always thought I understood comics pretty well already but now this class has really opened my eyes to what a Comic really is. I look forward to reading more and learning more about this subject and hopefully, eventually Understanding comics

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