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Prachee Yande
22jslh-pyande@jgu.edu.in
Sociology of Art and creativity – Final Paper
Prof. John Clammer

Are comics a legitimate form of art? What is distinctive about their aesthetics and social role?

Stan Lee once said, “Comic books to me are fairy tales for grownups”. We don't really think about
comic books, in my opinion. When we read and experience them, we appreciate them, but as soon as
we're done, we forget about them. That seems really unfair to me. Would any of us be content with
our life if there were no Marvel comics, Tinkle, or Archies? In my opinion, no. Nevertheless, comic
books inadvertently have an important place in both our social and personal lives. Despite being
written off as children's books or just light amusement, comics are becoming more and more
acknowledged as important forms of art. In this essay, I aim to explore the legitimacy of comics as an
art form and highlight its distinctive social roles and aesthetics. By examining the history of comics,
their unique visual and narrative elements, and their evolving cultural significance, I will try to argue
that comics not only deserve recognition as art but also occupy a vital space within contemporary
society.

THE HISTORY

The history of comics is truly fascinating, in my opinion. During my research, I came to know about
the various eras in the history of comics. It started out with the golden age (1938-50). In this age,
there was a clear “good” and “evil” distinction, where the heroes were the perfect, idealistic role
models. They always defeated the villains who were commonly motivated by world domination or
greed for money. “They fulfilled every kid’s dream of gaining larger-than-life powers, effortlessly
overcoming their bullies and leaping out of their colorless neighborhoods into adventure.” (Levanier,
2016). This is most probably the reason why comic books became massively popular in this era. This
is the era when superman and action comic came out.
After that came the silver age (1950-71). The golden age was one of innocence and playfulness which
was bound to be over at some point. Furthermore, this was also after the world war which called for
comics which were a little more realistic and believable. This led to a decline in superhero comics and
a rise in comics with more adult sensibilities. Different genres like horror were explored. However,
this also led comics to be called “the junk food for the young mind”.
Thirdly, the bronze age (1971-80). This was when Spider-man came out. Since, by that time,
publishers had exhausted all superhero ideas, the villains had started to become stronger. Unlike the
previous eras, Bronze Age comics dealt with the gritty realities of urban life in ways that had no real
answer.
Soon after that began the Dark age (1980-93). Continuing to try and make the comics more relatable
and believable, in the dark age, the heroes were shown to be just as gritty as the villains they fought.
Stories like “The Dark Knight Returns” and “V for Vendetta” warned of an ominous future no amount
of heroism could prevent. Writers crafted characters who were psychologically complex, often
dangerously so. Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke” introduced us to a Joker who was more than a
giggling jester but a frighteningly psychotic serial killer.
Lastly, the Ageless age (1993- present). After all the ages of the past, the comic book world has
evolved into something which cannot be constituted into a particular “age” or genre or style of
artwork. it’s a time when the superhero doesn’t have to be heroic or dark or even present at all. Comic
books can be as pulpy or as serious or as just plain weird as you want them to be. Like the invincible
Superman of the optimistic Golden Age, now is a time when anything is possible (Levanier, 2016).
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THE AESTHETIC

Comic books, with their particular aesthetics, engage readers and spectators alike. These aesthetics
comprise a variety of features that distinguish comic books as a distinct art form. I will further
elaborate on the aesthetics of comics.

I think that the ability of comics to tell narratives through a combination of images and text is one of
its most distinguishing aspects. The combination of visual and textual elements enables the
development of stories that engage the audience on numerous levels. A single page or panel can elicit
emotions, build character development, and advance the plot, often with little words. This
combination of storytelling skills identifies comics as an effective medium for delivering complicated
narratives. Furthermore, Comics have a wide range of artistic styles and methods. Comic artists have
a wide range of options available to them, ranging from highly detailed, realistic graphics to abstract
and minimalist designs. This artistic freedom allows producers to adjust their images to the needs of
the narrative, allowing for a wide range of artistic expression. Iconic artists such as Will Eisner, who
pioneered the medium with his work on "The Spirit," Jack Kirby, a co-creator of several Marvel
superheroes, and Frank Miller, best known for the graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns," have
proved the medium's artistic potential. Lastly, one of my favourite aesthetic aspect of comics is the
use of colour. Colour, or the absence thereof, is another important aspect of comic book aesthetics.
Colours are chosen not just for their aesthetic value, but also to generate mood and environment.
Colour theory, shading, texture, and other visual methods are used by comic artists to provide depth
and emotional resonance to their work. Colour manipulation can have a significant impact on the
emotional response of the reader, from the warm, inviting hues of a family scene to the stark, cold
tones of a suspenseful thriller. In all, these distinct aesthetics allow comics to tell stories in a way that
goes beyond traditional literature or other visual arts, all while evoking strong emotions and rich
visuals.

Most importantly, In addition to their unique aesthetics, comics play important social roles in modern
culture. They have a variety of effects on and reflections of the world around us, ranging from cultural
impact and education to representation and commentary. I will now be diving into the social roles
surrounding the graphic medium art.

Comic books are an effective medium for showcasing a range of perspectives, experiences, and
cultures. Comics writers like Marjane Satrapi, whose book "Persepolis," and Gene Luen Yang, whose
book "American Born Chinese," use comics to examine themes of discrimination, identity, and
belonging. These pieces dispel popular misconceptions and offer voice to underrepresented,
marginalized groups. Comics have evolved into a forum for marginalized perspectives to be heard and
seen in a society that values diversity and inclusivity more and more every passing day. Secondly,
Comics have frequently been used as a platform for political and social commentary. Art Spiegelman's
"Maus," a graphic novel about the Holocaust, and Joe Sacco's "Palestine," a work of graphic
journalism, are poignant examples. To handle difficult subjects, artists employ satire, humour,
allegory, or outright criticism. They explore touchy subjects like social injustice, war, and genocide
via comics. Comics offer a distinctive platform for artists to present provocative viewpoints on
significant contemporary topics. Thirdly, Comic books have shown to be an effective teaching and
literacy aid. They have an innate ability to engage a wide spectrum of readers, young and old, by
making complex subjects approachable and interesting. Comics that teach the craft of creating and
analysing them, such as Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics," have been employed as
instructional tools. Additionally, the use of comics in the classroom to engage pupils in literature,
history, and other subjects has grown. Graphic novels like "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi and "In the
Shadow of No Towers" by Art Spiegelman are now included in many curricula – including in JGU.
Fourthly, we cannot turn a blind eye to the cultural influence that comic books have had on society
worldwide. Comics have a significant cultural impact. Superheroes' emergence in movies and
television shows, which are primarily based on comic book content, is evidence of their cultural
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influence. Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are just a few of the iconic characters in popular
culture around the world. For example, the popularity of Marvel's film universe shows how much of
an impact comic books have had on modern culture. Comics have impacted video game production in
addition to film and television, providing ideas for character designs, plots, and visual aesthetics.
Lastly, one social factor of comic books and graphic novels which I feel is extremely important for
our and our future generations which is representation and empowerment. Comics have played a
significant role in giving voice and empowerment to marginalized communities. Comics like "Love
and Rockets" by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez and "Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel, for example, have
given the LGBTQ+ community a voice. By examining issues of sexual orientation and identity, these
comics assist members of various communities in finding acceptance and representation. Through
visibility, challenging stereotypes, empowering readers, building solidarity, depicting characters
beyond stereotypes, and encouraging future artists, comics play a critical role in uplifting
underrepresented cultures. Comics help create a more compassionate and welcoming society where
individuals from various backgrounds can feel empowered and represented through their stories and
characters.

In conclusion, Comics' legitimacy as an art form is undeniable, as they possess distinctive aesthetics
that blend visual and textual elements to create immersive narratives. The evolution of comics from
their humble beginnings to their current prominence in the art world underscores their enduring
impact on society. As the medium continues to grow and adapt, it will undoubtedly remain a vital and
legitimate form of art, reflecting and shaping the world around us. I have always enjoyed reading
comic books but after researching the sociology behind this art medium, I am going to embrace them
even more.