The Comic Strip: Art, Entertainment, And Education

Comic strips were once used mostly in newspapers and other publications. Today they also brighten websites and social media pages. Comic artists can potentially share their thoughts with an audience of billions of people. The styles can vary tremendously between those who create comics, but there are also many similarities in their cultural and historical value.

Accepted as Art

It is inaccurate to believe that comics appeal only to children or are mindless entertainment. Comics fit into the art category because they offer a creative expression that encourages people to feel an emotion, understand a viewpoint, or learn something new. Often these works include humor or something that helps people feel better, but not always.

Used for Education

Comic strips also serve as a form of historical documentation. Comics from generations past make it possible for modern generations to understand how people felt during specific times in history. Comic strips can combine historical events with present-day occurrences to help people become more self-aware.

Comic strips often discuss serious topics more gently or intriguingly than an editorial. Encouragement even exists for teachers to use comics in the classroom. Sometimes the integration can occur because of the content or aid students in developing crucial learning skills.

Incorporation of Animals

Using animals as the characters is a common feature of comics. Anthropomorphized animals (animals with human traits and abilities) are not a new phenomenon. Animals used as humans in stories is a practice that is tens of thousands of years old.

The personification of animals makes characters visually appealing and allows the writer to blend the human and animal world for endless possibilities. An artist may choose this option because animals are cute and appeal to a specific demographic. Other times, the animals take the role of famous people or types of people. Animal characters allow the artist more freedom to adapt the character's behavior.

Artists will use any creature, even insects, but some choose the most familiar. Cats, dogs, and farm animal comic strips have enormous appeal. The habits and typical behaviors of the well-known creatures can make it perfect for artists with a specific story to tell. The art panels gain attention as readers are attracted to the familiarity of the images.

Art can take many forms, and the existence of the comic strip through decades of print history and continuing into the digital age proves it to be a desirable and appreciated art form. Comics can bring laughter or sadness or encourage thought into endless subjects. Its ability to document the frustrations and fads of each generation makes it unique.