Assessment

Upon reading the two literary works, “Witch” and “Wolverine” there are many similarities and differences.  These similarities and differences are well emphasized in the use of the color, shadow, and panel size used for each text.  The color, shadow, and panel size plays a significant part in setting the mood for each part of the separate text.  Additionally the color can enhance or distract from the text.  In the two works reviewed there are wonderful examples of these working with the text and against the text. 

The use of color in comics is paramount because it has to be able to catch the eye.  The written text can provide a great story but the art must grab the reader to enhance the imagination to provide to full experience of reading the comic.  In the comic “Witch” there are very vivid colors that set the stage for the text.  For example the cover or title page is a dull orange with a vividly clear, almost to the point of sharp, picture of the main character and her familiar.  This is done to set the tone that the main character is the focus of the story and the use of orange, which is a secondary color, is used to indicate that the rest outside of the main character is not the focus of the story.  In the comic “Wolverine” the title page is very similar with the focus on the main character, but the colors are not as vivid.  This may be attributed to age and the technology and printing capacity of the period that the comic was released, but it also speaks of inclusion.  Blue is a primary color and indicates that the totality of the comic is equally important, not just the main character. 

The use of shadow in the comic provides graphic depth.  The attempted illusion of dimension is better presented in the comic “Witch” because it is a more recent print.  The dated technology used to illustrate shadow in “Wolverine” is good, but not nearly as impressive as in “Witch”. An excellent example of the use of shadow in “Which” is when the main character is speaking to the police officer and admitting to the gang violence.  Note the shadowing around the police officer.  It creates the illusion that the is almost three dimensional.  This effect is commonly used throughout the selection and is very effective.  In the section of “Wolverine” there are attempts at shadowing, but most of the art work is very two dimensional.  The best attempt is in the cover where the color is most vivid. 

The use of panel size and placement is important because it leads the readers eye.  As with art we are trained to see from top left corner to right and the eye catches the middle sections.  Therefore placement is vital to the story line layout because the flow must be constant and not interrupt or the reader will lose interest.  The use of panel size in both “Witch” and “Wolverine” is consistent in the fact that they both use small panel and large panels and a combination of the two to create the flow.  However in “Witch” the panels are placed more consistently in a pattern.  Whereas in “Wolverine” the use of the panels is random and almost to the point of being erratic.  It seems to be easier to follow “Witch” with the panel layout, but “Wolverine” is more difficult because it breaks up more often.

To conclude, both selections demonstrate use of color, shadow, and panel size in similar and different ways.  The comic book art work has come a long way and has improved the use of these techniques to provide the reader with a comprehensive pairing between text and art.