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New Comic Theory Essay: "Time Frames... Or Not"

Submitted by Neil Cohn on September 4, 2006 - 02:27

I have just posted my latest theoretical offering for download, "Time Frames... Or Not" where I tackle the assumptions that lead to the (false) belief that successive panels equal moments in time. While the linear sequence of comics' panels may seem on the surface to present a succession of individual moments, the understanding of comics sequences is hardly so simple. This paper explores various assumptions about sequential images to show why panels do not show successive moments in time.------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" -www.emaki.net

Wow, my unabashed plug

Neil Cohn's picture

by Neil Cohn - 09/07/2006 - 16:41

Wow, my unabashed plug actually paid off! Thanks for the illustration offer, that's a nice gesture and I'll keep you in mind just in case.

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - www.emaki.net

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - http://www.emaki.net

I'm ordering one. I'm

Scott Story's picture

by Scott Story - 09/07/2006 - 12:08

I'm ordering one. I'm impressed with what you do. If you ever need my style of illustrations, let me know.

 

http://www.komikwerks.com/comic_title.php?ti=117

http://johnnysaturn.com | http://collectiveofhereoes.net

Well, thanks very much. I am

Neil Cohn's picture

by Neil Cohn - 09/06/2006 - 23:38

Well, thanks very much. I am indeed working on a book presenting this stuff in an easy to understand "comic format" but it will be a loooong wait for it. In the meantime, I do have an older book... ;-)

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - www.emaki.net

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - http://www.emaki.net

Thanks for the comments and

Neil Cohn's picture

by Neil Cohn - 09/06/2006 - 19:00

Thanks for the comments and for checking out the paper! scottstory, you might like to hear that I have a follow up study to the cross-cultural paper on the docket specifically for those "LRM" fields (I've actually come up with another category to code, and shooting for a larger and more diverse sample). I'll try to remember your comment about showing more examples when I'm writing it up.Â

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - www.emaki.net

------- Studying the Visual Language of "Comics" - http://www.emaki.net

Thanks, NeilI think that's

Scott Story's picture

by Scott Story - 09/06/2006 - 21:52

Thanks, Neil

I think that's valuable work you are doing there, and yet still accesible. I do think that one of these days you should arrange all your papers into a book. I know I would read it, and I'm sure it would get used in many class rooms.Â

http://www.komikwerks.com/comic_title.php?ti=117

http://johnnysaturn.com | http://collectiveofhereoes.net

Some of the essay felt like

Scarybug's picture

by Scarybug - 09/06/2006 - 12:54

Some of the essay felt like splitting hairs to me. And I'd disagree about those last examples not having panels in the middle that did not represent moments. I'd say that they evoke a feeling of time moving slower, if not actual time moving.

But I agree with scottstory that it was a very interesting essay and made some very good points. I'll definitely return to the site to read more.

___

Nerdcore: The Core Wars

___ Nerdcore: The Core Wars

I just read your paper, and

Scott Story's picture

by Scott Story - 09/06/2006 - 11:55

I just read your paper, and while I was on your site I read most of your other entries. Very interesting, to say the least. It does still seem to me that his a direct coralition in sequential art between horintal space/width and time, but like every rule ever there are notable exeptions that are different but don't really invalidate overall rule. Perhaps this is the fabled "exception that proves the rule"?  On a related note, in your cross-cultural comparison paper, I would have like to have seen more actual examples of compared panels.Â

No matter what, these are invigorating reads, and I look forward to when you publish a long-form tract on these.

 

http://www.komikwerks.com/comic_title.php?ti=117

http://johnnysaturn.com | http://collectiveofhereoes.net