Comis+as+an+extension+to+photographic+media


 * Do you agree or disagree with McLuhan when he defines comics as an extension of photographic media? **

I agree with McLuhan’s idea that comics are an extension of photographic media. This is mainly due to the fact that with regards to comics there is a graphical representation of the artistic medium. Just as the proverbial English expression goes, “a picture speaks a thousand words” comic books use this concept quite freely in order to push forward the narrative. When words simply aren’t enough to express one’s view comic writer look to tell you through imagery.

With photographic media it relies heavily on the fact that the message is left open ended and the every recipient of the message is entitled to his own perspective and interpretation of the message and so there are numerous interpretations of that message based on the way one looks at it. With comics there is a similarity in a way that one has a lot of room to “read between the frames.”

There is also an extremely passive approach readers take while reading a comic be it a gripping graphic novel or a relaxed “Archie comic.” The brain shifts towards the alpha waves while addressing this form of media and there isn’t much required by the readers in terms of making an effort to keep up with the narrative.

There are a lot of similarities when it comes to viewing comic books and photographic media as they both rely on images rather than text or sound in order to convey the message. This is the main reason why I am in agreement with McLuhan’s view that comics are indeed an extension of photographic media.