Ezra M.

Rahmey
Graphic Narratives
Prof. Jonathan Bass
September 23, 2014
Graphic Novel Response Paper # 2

Throughout the Comics Ive read, I found setting to be used in a variety of
interesting methods. In some cases setting is used as mere a backdrop to help
drive enhance the narrative (i.e. Mazzucchellis Near Miss). In other case setting
is used as a major focal point of the story and its protagonists plight (i.e. Griffiths
Is their Life After Levittown). And than in some cases the setting is just so unique,
so strange it becomes the entirety of the narrative itself (i.e. Thurbers Island of
Silk and Ectoplasm).
Of the four comics Near Miss, has the least pronounced setting. It never
explicitly states where it takes place and as such the reader is forced to read
between the lines. What we get in the story is simply the tale of a strange young
man who fearing the end of the world leaves his civilized town to go do some
presumed research in the mountains. And what the story doesnt inform us in
words it makes up for in its visuals. While Near Miss never tells us where the
story occurs explicitly, it makes it apparent that it is really interested in us
knowing what this place looks like. As it makes sure to dedicate giant panels
solely interested in showcasing the vastness of the mountains this young man
has come to work in. Its in this sense that Near Miss really helps use setting to
enhance the narrative.
Ironically, Is their Life After Levittown, whose entire narrative is based on
the protagonists relationship with his hometown, does the exact opposite of Near
Miss. This comic explicitly states the name of its setting, but unlike the
aforementioned Near Miss, Is their Life After Levittown doesnt really showcase
its setting (with the exception of some establishing shots in the beginning and the
end). Instead it seems more interested in showcasing events that reflect the
protagonist story in this particular town. And Despite its lack of visuals the ever
presence of Levittown is incredibly present.
So far we have discussed two ways to showcase a setting. One is to use
visual images to help it enhance the story and the other is to use plot and
character moments to help enhance the setting. In Griffiths excerpt from
Storyville we get a unique portrait of the city of Montreal at a given moment in
time. And while this is a piece of a larger story, what is interesting to note is how
much setting is played up by the author, each panel evokes a sense of the city,
whether it be the forestry, the architecture, or just an encounter with a French
speaking native. In some ways Storyville combines the elements of both
Levittown and Near Miss, in that it uses every element it can (visuals, plot,
dialogue, words) to help enhance the narratives setting.
Island of Silk and Ectoplasm is by far the most unique example of setting
amongst the four comics so far. A place so unique the entirety of the narrative
has nothing to do with character or plot (in contrast to the other three comics),
rather the entire comic is about explaining the weirdness of this Island.
All in all it seems apt to say, that there is a variety of ways setting can be
used in graphic narratives, whether it be as a means to enhance the story, drive
the story forward, or just be what the entirety of the story is about, setting is
crucial to any graphic work.