This article by Alexander Rothman explored a concept of Comics Poetry that I had little to no knowledge of. This hybrid form that comics and poetry create has allowed many works of art to be interpreted differently. Unlike novels and essays, poetry is merely just words without the need to have an argument or plot. This allows illustrations to contradict, reinforce, change, or complete poetry. It gives room to play with words and imagery allowing the reader/ audience to unpuzzle and discover their own meaning. According to Rothman poetry's “basic unit is juxtaposition: place two or more images next to each other, and some semiotic impulse in our minds can’t help but connect them. As humans we always attempt to find connections especially if things are arranged sequentially or in an array. I personally agree with Rothman that “an under-appreciated aspect of comics is the reader's ability to apprehend a page or spread all at once.”
The way we read comics poetry deals a lot with the way the artist placed and arranged the text and images on the page or spread. It can either give or change meaning to images or aspects of the text. Warren Craghead placed the word “listen” above a drawing of a WII cannon for example making us question the placement or word choice in that case. A comics poetry should not simply just reproduce literary aspects but reinforce or change it like Craghead stated “duplication is deadweight”. I believe that Rothman gave a broad enough definition and explanation of comic poetry that it has allowed me to make my own assumptions and conclusions from it.
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