Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

• Genre: Nonfiction; graphic informative
• Originally Published: 1993
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 7-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 9 chapters with introduction; approx. 224 pages
• Central Concern: Created in the format of a comic book about comics, the author describes the history and value of these graphic narratives as an art form; he covers techniques, technical components, and overall significance to culture.
• Equal Access Issues: This book relies heavily on illustration to convey meaning. Students with visual impairments may not have equal access to or benefit equally from the ideas it conveys. Suggestions for accommodations are made throughout this unit, but teachers wishing to provide blind or low-vision students an alternative to this text might consider asking them to learn about tactile graphics, comic books for the blind, and/or Universal Design for Learning and present their findings in a final essay or audio presentation.

Scott McCloud, Author

• Bio: Born 1960 in Boston; attended Syracuse University for illustration; production artist for DC Comics; founded the idea of a challenge for comic artists to create a 24-page comic in 24 hours; gained renown with his nonfiction works about comics in the comic style; advocate for comic artists’ rights and new technologies; speaker and presenter in the industry
• Other Works: Reinventing Comics (2000); Making Comics (2006)
• Awards: Jack Kirby Award for Best New Series (1985); Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award (1985); Inkpot Award (1992); Adamson Award for Best International Comic-Strip Cartoonist (1994); Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book (1994); Harvey Awards for Best Writer, Best Graphic Original Material, and Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation (1994); Alph-Art Prix de la Critique (2000); Eagle Award for Favourite Comics-Related Book (2007); Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel (2007); Will Eisner Hall of Fame (inducted 2021)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Comics as an Underappreciated Fine Art
• Prejudice Against Comics
• Comics as Reflective of the History of Art and Literature

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• their understanding of Understanding Comics.
• Read/study paired texts and other brief resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to Comics as an Underappreciated Fine Art, Prejudice Against Comics, and Comics as Reflective of the History of Art and Literature.
• Demonstrate their understanding of McCloud’s explanations of comic art techniques by creating their own comic art.
• Analyze the strength of the arguments McCloud makes for various claims throughout the book and construct essay responses tying these arguments to larger thematic concerns.