Sibersk Esto
Banned
Action and fighting in general is a very large part of comic books, both in American superhero comics and Japanese manga. But from my experience there's a significant difference in how that action is portrayed.
Now keep in mind I'm aware that there are differences based on artist preferences, but even so there are definitely trends that I see crop up across multiple titles.
The first word I think of with American comic book action is "clean". Full, diagrammatic, rectangle/ square style layout work. Fluid readable line-work, and respect to the page's grid-lines.
American comic book fight scenes are, for like of a better word, static. They are called graphic novels because we are meant to "read" them, like observers. Comic book fights are also very condensed, beginning and ending over the course of a few pages or even just one in order to get on with the story.
Manga on the other hand has different priorities. Manga is paced far more slowly, so a fight in a manga can take several issues, which is something I almost never see in American comics.
Scott McCloud has a decent summation of the strengths of the medium.
In contrast to western comic book action scenes, manga will routinely employ motion lines in the background, stretch the panels out, and focus each panel on the subsequent motion.
What do you think? Do you have any comic book action scenes you like that follow or reject these observations? I'd love to read about/see them.
Now keep in mind I'm aware that there are differences based on artist preferences, but even so there are definitely trends that I see crop up across multiple titles.
The first word I think of with American comic book action is "clean". Full, diagrammatic, rectangle/ square style layout work. Fluid readable line-work, and respect to the page's grid-lines.
American comic book fight scenes are, for like of a better word, static. They are called graphic novels because we are meant to "read" them, like observers. Comic book fights are also very condensed, beginning and ending over the course of a few pages or even just one in order to get on with the story.
Manga on the other hand has different priorities. Manga is paced far more slowly, so a fight in a manga can take several issues, which is something I almost never see in American comics.
Scott McCloud has a decent summation of the strengths of the medium.
The real secret of Manga's success is a matter of technology. The technology of storytelling! Manga creators use a toolbox of techniques that can enhance the power of any story. And nearly all of these techniques focus on one goal: to stimulate involvement. Take motion for example: In America, when I started my own career, motion lines were the only game in town. Using motion lines can produce some exciting effects, but their diagrammatic qualities can seem to illustrate the action, while not necessarily making the reader feel like a participant. But when a camera moves with a moving object it produces quite a different image. Although the object may remain in clear focus, the background is streaked and blurry. This was the effect that manga artists began adapting for their comics a few decades ago. As it turns out, even a simple abstraction of this effect like straight parallel lines can indicate motion.
In contrast to western comic book action scenes, manga will routinely employ motion lines in the background, stretch the panels out, and focus each panel on the subsequent motion.
What do you think? Do you have any comic book action scenes you like that follow or reject these observations? I'd love to read about/see them.