Comics have grown from the idea of their traditional role as something only for children. Comics are still evolving and are a medium for artistic expression, diverse narratives, and even social commentary. Through the work of Scott McCloud and the enlightening scholarly articles, we are able to take a deep like into the world of comics studies that extends far beyond the surface.

In Scott’s book “Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art,” he takes us on a journey that shows us that comics are a deeply captivating form of storytelling. He shares that comics are more than just “sequential art; they are an intricate blend of imagery and text that seamlessly craft narratives” (McCloud).

McCloud’s central concept revolves around “closure.” According to him, “Closure is the phenomenon of observing the parts but perceiving the whole” (McCloud). This process prompts readers to actively engage as they bridge the gaps between comic panels, crafting a seamless story in their minds. This is a truly dynamic interaction for the readers.

McCloud’s model of panel transitions highlights how comics manipulate time and space through moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject, scene-to-scene, and aspect-to-aspect shifts. This framework underscores comics’ ability to evoke emotions and emphasize elements in ways that conventional media forms generally don’t.

“Changing The World: How Comics and Graphic Novels Can Shift Teaching and Doing Social Sciences Via Comics and Graphic Novels” brings in an exciting phase for comics studies, showing their potential in education and social sciences. This work proves comics’ role as an effective tool for conveying concepts, historical narratives, and societal issues in an accessible format.

“Comics are an ideal medium for educators to bring abstract social science concepts to life” (Strong, et. al.). By presenting social science content through visual narratives, comics open themselves to a more diverse audience, including those who might find conventional academics boring or frustrating. This type of learning embraces diversity and shows other ways in which ideas can reach a broader group of learners.

Integrating comics into academics supports and promotes critical thinking. “Comics provide a unique opportunity for students to think critically about representation, power, and social justice” (Barberis & Grüning). Urging students to analyze and break down visual narratives and examine artistic decisions allows for more insight into the subject matter.

We live in a world in which information is flying at us all the time, and I think comics can be a new communication tool and education method. McCloud’s theories tell us that comics are unrestricted by age, genre, or format and that they are a medium ready to be used in education.

Scott McCloud’s ideas and the application of comics in education and social sciences demonstrate how adaptable this medium can be. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to explore the realm of comics this quarter and sharing my creation More than a Squak. It’s clear that comics are evolving, and their narratives offer us valuable perspectives on the world while also providing us with important lessons.

Works Cited: McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Reprint edition, William Morrow Paperbacks. 1994. Strong, M. T., Cook, T., Belet, L. A., & Calarco, P. (2023). Changing The World: How Comics and Graphic Novels Can Shift Teaching. Humanity & Society, 47(2), 245–257. https://doi.org/10.1177/01605976231158969. Barberis, Eduardo & Grüning, Barbara. (2021). Doing Social Sciences Via Comics and Graphic Novels. An Introduction. 125-142. 10.6092/issn.1971-8853/12773.