Buddha by Tezuka Osamu Review

Buddha is the last epic comic work by Tezuka Osamu. The story is about the young prince Siddhartha, who embarks on a spiritual journey and becomes Gautama Buddha in ancient India. It chronicles the life of Siddartha, from beginning to end. Meanwhile, it spans multiple kingdoms and generations of characters. The long term effects of these characters and stories often cascade unpredictably, highlighting the interconnectedness of life. Similarly, characters go through numerous ups and downs, with many dying, emphasizing impermanence. Personally, I really don't like the caste system in India, and I think that's the reason why so many tragedies happened. It's a desperate age, constant warfare and injustices in the caste system, people want to get redemption.

Overall, I really like the story Osamu depicted. I think it's a journey of self-redemption, also brings hopeless people rebirth. This is a kind of book you can read it again and again, I think you will have different feelings and thoughts in different ages or period.

The Book of Mr. Natural Review

Mr. Natural seems like a crazy saint, but the author actually wants to tell more deep meanings behind the story and the world. There are some interesting passages, for example, where Mr. Nature points out that our problems and society have become irrelevant over time, or some absurd and funny scenes.

From my perspective, because I am from China, so when I was young I read a slimier comic book called Old Master Q. It also has pretty funny content but also reflects changing social trends, particularly from the 1960s to the 1980s. Sometimes It presents social problems such as poverty, theft, suicide, and gangs, or taunts such pop cultures as ladyboys, trendy clothes and rock music (the old master often lectured those who were "neither fish nor fish"). 




The overall theme of the comics centers around humor, with characters usually portrayed in a variety of social statuses, professions and time periods, ranging from beggars and office workers to actors and ancient warriors, which allows for a wide variety of scenarios to explore.

A Contract With God by Will Eisner Review

I like the way he drew the character and story, the line work is really powerful. The story is about a religious man gives up his faith after the death of his young adopted daughter. 

Will Eisner dramatizing Hersh's trudge home through a downpour, an element of graphic-novel grammar Eisner manipulates better than anyone else ever has — stagger the imagination. The viewer can truly feel the main character seemingly reaches his breaking point. Overall, it gives me a feeling of isolation and despair. 

TinTin in Tibet (1960) by Herge Review

The story of Tin Tin in Tibet is adventurous and intriguing. It's all start with Tin Tin's nightmare, and he finally found the one he dreamt of in the cave, a Chinese guy, named Chang.

I really like the moment they meet together, it's so emotional and touching. Herge expresses a lot of the story through facial expression, therefore, we can feel the character's emotion precisely. The line work as always is crisp and clean, and a delight to look at. The color also did a good job, it gives the viewer the overall environment feelings.

Personally, I traveled so many places and countries, and I really enjoy traveling and adventure. Tibet, what a holy and unique place to visit. Unfortunately, due to the time schedule, I couldn't find a chance to go there. I hope one day I can be TinTin, to go on a trip without a plan.

Winsor McCay's Little Nemo Review

I really like the art style and the story. It's like an adventure but never ends, and when you feel fear you will wake up.
I used to have a lot of dreams like that, I was sailing on the boat, but in the street of the big city, there was no water, but the boat was still moving, then there was an abandoned train tunnel, I went through the little door behind it, suddenly, I was on the beach, then I found the golden crate. I was so happy and ready to open it, then I woke up because my mom was shouting at me saying, "wake up, you little lazy bones".

Understanding Comics Review

Chapter II's idea seems pretty interesting to me. It is about what we see in comic books, and how images translate to us. He mentioned that the artist can choose any different type of way to make realistic, unrealistic, surreal, cartoon images of people and objects, to express their emotions of the character or story. Moreover, the more simplistic a comic, the more personality it has. Then I found normally we see a lot of icons around us in more simplistic terms, such as a flag or traffic sign. That's what exactly comic book needs, to catch the viewer's eyes. However, after I read The Arrival by Shaun Tan, I feel comic could be realistic, as well. If he drew the comic in a simplistic way, then it will lose lots of emotions and cinematic feelings.

Scott McCloud said, when pictures are more abstracted from “reality”, they required greater levels of perception, more like words. When words are bolder, more direct, they require lower levels of perception and are received faster more like pictures. But I think it's hard to decide who is faster because it depends on the artist. A good comic artist knows when is the right time to use the picture, and when is the right time to use a simple word.

By the way, I do like these four principles are from 17 minute talk by Scott McCloud in the TED conference. The first one and second one are my favorite. From my perspective, Learn from Everyone means that we can get all the useful parts from others and discard what is not, Follow No One means that you have to develop your own unique stuff. 

The Arrival by Shaun Tan Review

“The Arrival”, tells a story about the journey and reunion. The young father leaves his home to create a better life for his family in a new big city of opportunity, then they finally got together and the new city became the new home.

I really like the photorealistic human figures, it evokes the intimate feelings of my overseas experience. I am from China, and this is my third year in the United States at Ringling College. I went back home once a year during summer, but the summer is really short while missing is very long. It's really hard for me in the first year, I am like the young father in the comic book, I go to the new land alone, I have to speak the new language, and I have to meet the new people. Meanwhile, It's really hard to talk with my family about what is happening to me or What's new in school, because of two different cultures. But, I am glad that I made this decision. It enriched my knowledge and my experience, enlarged my vision, and I am not regret everything I did.