tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post6349999434322481166..comments2024-03-09T05:53:59.542-05:00Comments on Oz and Ends: Back to Comics and Picture BooksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-4915953735393640522008-04-20T12:13:00.000-05:002008-04-20T12:13:00.000-05:00I've been struck by the variation in paper evident...I've been struck by the variation in paper evident in books in comics form. Some use high-quality glossy paper and others wood pulp. I wouldn't be surprised if there's also a range of quality in softcover bindings, with some never meant to last.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-47604097308011269302008-04-20T10:18:00.000-05:002008-04-20T10:18:00.000-05:00As for sturdy paper and bindings, I am buying more...As for sturdy paper and bindings, I am buying more and more comic books (graphic novels?) for my elementary school library, and I welcome sturdier editions, since these books are extremely popular and even the re-bound ones become shabby in no time.Linnea Hendricksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515139429308847279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-82770922108529168612008-04-06T22:30:00.000-05:002008-04-06T22:30:00.000-05:00But you also made the important point, Marc, that ...But you also made the important point, Marc, that picture book manuscripts often have to be <I>underwritten</I> to leave space for the artist to fill in.<BR/><BR/>Indeed, one of the major behind-the-scenes differences between the two forms is that comics scripters can <I>overwrite</I> by providing long, detailed descriptions of panels and pages while picture-book writers are supposed to say as little as possible about visual details.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-86059936030918993742008-04-06T22:18:00.000-05:002008-04-06T22:18:00.000-05:00Oops. Just saw that my point was already made in y...Oops. Just saw that my point was already made in your comment...Marc Tyler Noblemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10732005290440645718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-70885157708276410442008-04-06T22:16:00.000-05:002008-04-06T22:16:00.000-05:00In response to David Maxine, plenty of picture boo...In response to David Maxine, plenty of picture books are fueled by a symbiotic relationship between their words and pictures. Skillfully written ones are, in a sense, underwritten--they require readers and listeners to refer to the art to get the full meaning. As for the larger topic at hand, I don't know that I can add anything more to your astute observations, J.L., but I will shamelessly mention that I have written the first (nonfiction) picture book ABOUT comic books.Marc Tyler Noblemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10732005290440645718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-6591041940355583972008-04-03T21:32:00.000-05:002008-04-03T21:32:00.000-05:00Dave E., in the same interview Françoise Mouly mak...Dave E., in the same interview Françoise Mouly makes a point of saying that TOON Books are published in the same sturdy format as picture books. So, yes, I think the company is going for the higher price and arguing that on the basis of longevity they are better than magazines on pulp paper. <BR/><BR/>David M., I agree that picture books are usually written to be read aloud, and comics can't be. That's one reason many parents and librarians distrust comics as replacements for picture books; they don't know how to share them. <BR/><BR/>However, picture books are usually meant to be read aloud while examining the pictures. In a good picture book the art contains details that don't appear in the text, often details crucial to understanding the story. Sometimes there's an ironic discord between art and text that makes the full meaning dependent on consuming both at once.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-61168383790950825132008-04-03T02:09:00.000-05:002008-04-03T02:09:00.000-05:00It seems to me that the various parts of a comic a...It seems to me that the various parts of a comic are much more dependent upon each other than the text and illustrations of a picture book are. <BR/><BR/>It is usually possible to read a picture book aloud, and for the most part, comprehend. A comic read aloud is incomprehensible to someone not viewing the artwork.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-79913510919241702442008-04-02T23:41:00.000-05:002008-04-02T23:41:00.000-05:00Hey, J. Have you seen the TOON books? Aside from ...Hey, J. Have you seen the TOON books? Aside from their elevated quality (heavy paper, slicker illos) I found them to be nothing more than hardcover comic books.<BR/><BR/>Being comic books for younger readers -- like Owly -- isn't a problem, but there's something almost elitist about these going for picture book retail when they could just as easily be produced like regular comic books for one third their price.<BR/><BR/>So is it a case of trying to woo an audience that would look down on comics by avoiding similar presentation, or are these books telegraphing the idea that they are somehow better than "regular" comics.<BR/><BR/>I didn't find their contents to be any different than some pulps I've known. They certainly weren't bad. I find their marketing a problem.david elzeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16653215150526146224noreply@blogger.com