Lab3-Assignment

CCT300-Lab3-Assignment-Karim Christopher Wood

Comics and photographic media share one characteristic. Both are reliant on images as the foundation of their delivery systems. This is what distinguishes them from other mediums. Marshall McLuhan?s attempt to categorize media forms sums up the similarity of comics and photographic media. According to McLuhan, media can either be defined as hot or cold. Hot media refers to mediums that encourage a passive participation, such as cinema. When we watch a movie we are presented with all the information that is necessary for our understanding of the plot. Essentially, all we have to do is watch. Cold media on the other hand requires a more interactive experience. Simply looking at a picture cannot provide us with an immediate understanding of the message(s) that picture intends to deliver. Instead, we must dissect the signs contained within the picture and what each sign signifies. In doing so, we create the message based on what each sign means to us. By this definition we can agree that comics and photographic media are the same, in a sense. However, there are underlying differences between the two. Comics are structured by sequential images. Each picture tells the story of the one that precedes it. Together they deliver an overall message. Therefore, the reader must pay particular attention to every image or they will not fully grasp the intended message. Also, comics may contain word bubbles (short, simple text boxes that act as dialogue or convey the thoughts of a character). While there are differences between the two mediums we cannot deny that they share a common foundation. This is why I agree with McLuhan's claim that comics are an extension of photographic media.