Research

http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/06/more-powerful-than-a-locomotive-using-graphic-novels-to-motivate-struggling-male-adolescent-readers/

After reading through this article it has helped me to understand that graphic novels are used as a form of advancing reading levels typically in adolescent males as the level of interest in reading drops as you age. The test used in the article shows that the use of a graphic novel keeps interest in reading; the images in graphic novels and short frames keep the reader wanting more. Involved within the test was;

Adolescent Motivation to Read Profiles (AMRP) Observations Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) Logs Teacher Interviews

This shows the different impact graphic novels gave to the subjects and observers, there was a clear increase in interest and performance within all the individual areas.

http://sequart.org/magazine/42273/steve-ditko-and-the-greatest-spider-man-story-ever-told/

This article discusses how art used in graphic novels and comic books can sometimes tell more of a story than a full text book. Paul R Jaissle is the author of the article he raises points of how simple imagery can be manipulated to affect the reader; the image to the right shows a page from the final chapter of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’. The page shows inner struggle and the reader relates to this as Spiderman is described as a ‘lovable loser’ and some teens can relate too. Stan Lee who is the illustrator for the comics uses hand gestures as a way of expressing emotion which can be seen in multiple comics, the circled hand gestures show 1-

3 Despair, 4 shows hope and 5 shows self-anger.

There are several points in the comic where the reader is indirectly interacted with as it does not directly affect the story but instead manages to

explain the somewhat simple struggle Spiderman is currently experiencing .

1 2 3

4

5

There are also lessons which are not forced upon the reader in comics but are present regardless because they know there target audience are normally introverted teenage males; this means that comics are essentially more visually appealing visuals.

The Cel-Shaded style of games like Borderlands works with comic books and graphic novels. As seen in the image the colour is two-tone with the primary colour and the second being the shadow. This style is what is going to be used in my graphic novel taster but applied to my own characters.

Using myself as a part of the target audience I read a wide selection of comics such as X-Men down to Adventure Time. The art style varies from one comic to the next but I have done a sample from an adventure time comic and decided it is my favourite art style to go ahead with.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/08/22/a-guided-tour-of-borderlands-2-concept-art.aspx?PostPageIndex=2