Assignment task: Several comics appeared in Harvey Pekar's long-running American Spendor. Pekar wrote the stories, all biographical, that appeared in the pages of American Splendor, but the artwork was drawn by the many different cartoonists with whom Pekar collaborated. discuss the things that make each of these cartoonists unique.
Choose one of the four cartoonist-collaborators and describe the work of one of this cartoonist. There will be a thread for each cartoonist.
You should include your thoughts about some or all of the following categories. What distinguishes the work of this cartoonist from that of all others?.
Style: How would you describe the style of the artwork created by this cartoonist? is it expressionist, simplistic, realistic, etc.?
Transitions: What kinds of panel-to-panel transitions does this cartoonist use most often? and why? (how do these kind of transitions help to tell this kind of story?)
Word/Image Combinations: What kinds of word/image combinations does this cartoonist use most often? and why? (how do these kind of combinations help to tell this kind of story?)
Line: McCloud says that all lines are expressive and that includes the drawings themselves as well as the backgrounds, borders, word balloons and text. How would you describe this cartoonist's linework?
Body Language and Facial Expression: Eisner believes that drawing postures, gestures and expressions is one of the most important tools in effective storytelling. How does this cartoonist make use of body language and facial expression to tell Pekar's story?
Take care to address each question in the discussion prompt. Draw evidence such as brief quotations, paraphrases, or summaries supporting your answers.