Week 1

Sorry for my late posts. My computer bit the dust, just got a new one :)

Do you think comics are a children's or adult genre/media? 

I Believe that so called comics are definitely a genre suited for all ages. The subject matter of each comic or graphic novel, in itself is the dictator of the target audience; in this way the medium is exactly the same as any novel or other literary medium.
Tintin is directed at both. Great visuals and an adventurous storyline and main character draw in the younger crowd, whereas the more complex political issues and subtle adult humour, cater to adults. Farr (1991) said- *Tintin is* "a character who would appeal to children as much as grown ups, though for quite often different reasons..........the appeal has proved much wider; form children first learning to read, to aged Tintinophiles. Each finds their own level of understanding and appreciation."
 Also, Tintin in general (and espicially The Blue Lotus) deal with complex political issues  present at the time. Farr said- *Tintins*  "globetrotting adventures, have a rocksolid foundation in reality, enabling him to transcend fashion, age and nationality."
The Blue Lotus deals with issues, such as the Japanese Occupation of China, and the prevalent European settlement present at that time. Those issues could easily be missed, or misunderstood by a child, who is probably much more interested in where Tintins adventure will take him next. Farr said-
 "The child will be gripped by the excitement of Tintin, the comedy, even farce. The adult will additionally find political satire and parody, puns and prescience."

It was interesting reading The Blue Lotus at my current age, and realizing the subtleties and issues present, that I so easily missed as a reader in my youth.

How might Hergé's The Blue Lotus address or relate to to what Said (1977) terms 'orientalism'?  

Orientalism is a wide broad ranging idea, that can best be described as the way in which Europe and the West interpret- or create an interpretation- of Eastern Asian countries. Tintin I believe, has a positive sense of Orientalism about it; Herge has attempted to be as accurate as possible, and inevitably portrays China in a positive, or at least neutral light. This is not always the case in other forms of Literary expression. Farr said-  "Orientalism can be discussed and analyzed as the corporate institution for dealing with Orient, dealing with it by making statements about it, authorizing views on it, describing it by teaching it, settling it: in short Orientalism as a way of dominating, restructuring and having authority over the Orient." So in essence other forms of Orientalism may be negative in ways, either enforcing stereotypes, or the creating a representation of what the west perceives the East to be. There is a negative portrayal of this type present in the blue lotus, with the inclusion of  Japanese characters. They appear as devious, buck toothed, spectacle wearing caricatures, and one such man is the main antagonist in the story. This racist portrayal exists for various reasons, mainly because of the Japanese invasion of several regions of china at that time, the West's general fear of Japan and Herges friendship with a Chinese Art student, who obviously skewed Herges bias in favour of the Chinese. 



Even with Herge's attention to detail, he could never be 100% accurate with his interpretation, no outsider could really taste what it is to truly live in what was then the Mysterious East. A point that Said (1977) Illustrates- "There were-and are-cultures and nations whose location is in the east, and their lives, histories and customs have a brute reality obviously far greater than anything that could be said about them in the west."



How and why are comics becoming more accepted as an art form? Can/should they be regarded as a literary genre? 

Comics and Graphic Novels are just as valid as any other way to tell a story. And in their own way they achieve a uniqueness that no other type of media could match. Varnum (2001) says-
"When an image is combined with words, as in a comic strip, the words become secondary but the language of the images themselves remain primary."

It its interesting to note that although in modern society some do not regard the comic or graphic novel as genuine art form, when in reality multi modal combinations of text and image, were actually one of the most ancient and original forms of art. Most ancient civilisations (and some present ones eg China) either combine picture with text, or use pictograph lettering- and thus truly combine image and text. Other religious and philosophical texts used elabarote works of art, combined with text; to drive home the story or spiritual insight. This in a way shows that negative views of Graphic Novels are a misconception, they are at least as relevent as any other form of media.
This form of media also allows the artist to pursue several methods of storytelling that other literature simply cannot . Varnum (2001) says-

"Words can provide a soundtrack to a sequence composed visually.Words and pictures can replicate one another. Words can clarify and amplify pictures, or vice versa. Words can function as elements in a picture. Words and pictures can operate on separate parellel tracks, each conveying an independent message. And finally, words and pictures can work together to convey an idea that neither could do alone."

Interestingly, i find that i enjoy adult graphic novels in my adulthood, more than i enjoyed comics/graphic novels as a child. I have  several Titles- Such as The Watchman- whose complex satirical socioeconomic and political commentary,would rival any book, movie or other accepted art form, in depth and entertainment value. 



References

Farr, Micheal. (1991). Tintin: The Complete Companion. London: John Murray.

Said, E. (1977). Orientalism. In Ashcroft, B. Griffiths, G. and Tiffin, H. (ed), The Post Colonial Studies Reader (pp 87-91). London: Routledge.

Varnum, R. & Gibbons, C. (ed).(2001). The Language of Comics; Word and Image. Jackson: U Press of Mississippi.