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Thursday, July 06, 2006Writers' Tips: Medium vs. Genre
My UCLA class has begun! A hearty welcome to all of my students. Posting comments is welcome, but don't expect extra credit, you filthy suck-ups.
Today's tip takes the form of an open-ended question. A student asked last night: is there a particular genre that comics doesn't do well? This question really throws me, because I immediately open it up to a broader scope: is there any genre that any medium doesn't handle well? My first response has to be no. But that's too easy of an answer. There has to be an exception, right? I can think of plenty of genres that comics do well -- arguably better than other mediums. But genres that don't work? I'll suggest two. 1. Science Fiction. On the surface, sci-fi seems a natural for comics -- you can do huge "special effect sequences" that would blow the top off a film/tv budget. But maybe that's the problem. Neuromancer works because it paints a world that the reader must assemble in his/her mind. When you paint that world literally in comics -- as people have tried -- you fail. It's easy to fall flat. But this doesn't explain the fact that there are classic, excellent science fiction films (certainly many more that classic sci fi comics). Any Warren Ellis fans want to call me on this? 2. Horror. What? Am I crazy!? Horror comics are a staple of the American comics industry. From the glorious EC comics of the 1950s to Alan Moore's terrifying Swamp Thing run to the current work of folks like Steve Niles -- not to forget Japanese classics like Ringu -- you can't say that there aren't any horror comics. But the hard thing about horror in comics is that horror often depends on quick movement and sound (things that film does better than comics). I've always wanted to do a horror comics that is throw-across-the-room terrifying. Is this even possible? Labels: writers' tips // posted at
9:26 AM //
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8 Comments:
Hi. Not a student here, but I can't agree with you that comics don't do sci-fi well.
A great counter example is the Finder series by Carla Speed McNeil. You can order the volumes and read current pages at http://www.lightspeedpress.com/
It's the only good sci-fi book I can think of off the top of my head.
-Ben S.
Oh. And the Dirty Pair series by Adam Warren. Not the original japanese ones.
Sci-fi action farce, yes, but good sci-fi action farce!
-Ben S.
I've always wanted to do a horror comics that is throw-across-the-room terrifying. Is this even possible?
I don't know, but I too would LOVE to do a horror comics story that would have that effect — at least a chill-up-the-spine. That's a goal for sure.
Johnny
A horror story relies on tempo so much that it might be difficult to handle in a comic. How well can you control tempo in a comic? You know more (much more) about that than I do. I only know that good horror writing carefully manages tempo and I can foresee difficulty doing that in a comic format.
It would be incredible to read a truly horrifying comic, though.
I've been reading the UZUMAKI series of manga, and there are some truly horrifying moments.
The pacing works well, often with characters reacting to something the reader can't see until they turn the page. It's a nice way to build suspense and dread.
Now where's my class credit?
clark, you forgot to say "where's my class credit, bitch!" -- NO CREDIT FOR YOU.
thanks to everyone who replied ... my reading list continues to grow!
I'm not stalking you or anything, but I set up a blog-account since all the cool kids seem to be on this thing.
I was going to recommend Uzumaki too, it's really one of the best use of the comic medium to scare the bejeezus out of you. It really has that cinematic feeling.
And I just remembered, are Paul and I still making a guest appearence in your class?
AAAnd.. are you going to go to comicon? I suppose I could ask you via email, but might as well since I'm here.
Hi,
I Found Absolutely FREE PlayBoy & PentHouse:
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If I find something else I'll inform you.
Best Regards, Jenya
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