The Importance of Imagination

Is it possible to exclude the artist’s interpretation when viewing comics? Even if it is possible, does this defeat the point of using visual representation for a story? The visual medium utilized by comics’ forces the artist’s perception of the story into the mind of viewer. Imagination is a critical component of our conceptualization of these stories. The way in which an individual visualizes the structure of a story is a personal means of understanding. For example, how one constructs the characters, their expressions, their dress, and even their mannerisms is a tool that is used for the individual to personally relate to the story. Our own imagination acts as a conduit of relatability. However, this tool is taken away by the visual nature of comics. Instead of our own method of relation, the artist’s perception is forced upon us. A barrier is breached by comics in a way that written or spoken stories do not do.

        The Genesis story told by R. Crumb and the manga version demonstrate the different approaches an artist can take. R. Crumb’s drawings are more realistic than the manga story. The anatomically realistic pictures in association with Crumb’s biblical terminology establishes his story as more educational than entertaining. His straightforward approach establishes Adam and Eve as seemingly empty vessels. They do not have the personality that is evident in the depictions of Adam and Eve in the manga version. The manga story uses vibrant expressions and more modernized speech as such providing Adam and Eve with a little more personality. Thus, exhibiting how an artist’s perception is apparent in their drawings and how such opinions can intrude upon the viewer’s own imagination. Furthermore, how does the individual maintain his or her sense of self when reading comics?  

The Use of Illustration in Retelling Myths

The development of different medias have facilitated the variety of ways stories are retold. While Scott McCloud defines comics as "juxtaposed pictorial...images...intended to convey information...to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer" (Understanding Comics, Pt. 1), the unique presentation of images can produce varying reactions to the same story retold. 

R. Crumbs' The Book of Genesis Illustrated, includes narrative text almost identical to that found in the original Book of Genesis and is illustrated by detailed black sketch. On the other hand, Maddox and Anderson's The Lion Graphic Bible has very abbreviated text to tell the same story and is illustrated by more simple and vibrant water color images. While both comics attempt to depict the same story, one could argue that Crumbs' work appeals to a crowd more familiar with the original text and is fundamentally more concerned with the text of the story.

Maddox and Anderson appear to take more interest in the interpretation of the text and the freedom that they can take with the colors they use and moods they convey. For example, the first part of the story is illustrated by a complete dark page to convey the darkness of the beginning of time, followed by bright greens and blue to depict the creation of the earth. When man is formed, the artists use earthly tones like reds and browns to depict the creation from clay, and when Adam hides from God, the artists convey apprehension and fear with darker tones in the forest. 

While neither comic arguably does a better job over the other of conveying the story from Genesis, the differences enable different focal points; the vastly different presentations of the myth facilitate different interpretations of the same story. 

The Sanctity of Retelling Myth

R.L. Crumb’s Book of Genesis and Siku’s The Manga Bible take the classic stories of Genesis and add their own twists to the stories. Crumb stays pretty true to the source, either directly pulling text or using similar language and style as the original story. On the other hand, Siku takes more liberties than Crumb, adding in light dialogue and manga style illustration to give the story a much more casual feel. This can be seen in their respective portrayals of creation myth. Crumb sticks to the usual script with God ruling over the days of creation, while Siku takes a more creative route, animating the creation of light with "ZZZAAAPPPP!!". Does this creative liberty embodied by twisting and almost playfully presenting the creation myth and biblical stories as a whole violate their inherent sanctity? 

            Crumb’s depiction of the story is very similar to the usual versions of the story that are continuously told and envisioned. The style of illustration is relatively tame, and God is depicted in the traditional “bearded wise man” style. Due to this conformity, it’s hard to argue that Crumb is threatening the sanctity of the myth. On the other hand, Siku’s work blends many other atypical influences into Genesis. For example, the illustrations themselves clearly have Japanese influences, and at one point in the book, he refers to Jesus as “a samurai stranger”.[1] Is this an infringement on traditional sanctity, or in today’s increasingly secular society is this simply a creative way to reach out to a new audience that otherwise wouldn't be interested in reading biblical myths?

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[1]Banerjee, Neela. "The Bible as Graphic Novel, With a Samurai Stranger Called Christ". The New York Times. Feb. 10, 2008.