Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Kazu Kibuishi

Obviously, as a comic, "Copper" requires illustrations which serve the narrative well. Kibuishi shifts the perspective in every frame to jump to the most effective depiction of action, or establishment of location. The overhead view of the first frame immediately impresses the vastness of the casino, which heightens the strangeness of the situation. When Copper and his dog Fred leave the casino, two different frames establish the passage of time with their shadows.

Kibuishi has Fred comment on the absurdity of gambling at casinos, and his point is well-illustrated by the oppressive vastness of the space, which doesn't even seem to have any end. The casino is darkly lit and depicted in colors which are close in hue to each other. Meanwhile, the outside is dominated by lightness with splashes of color, which reflects upon Fred's and Copper's ability to have actual fun at the Fun Place.

Kibuishi, in contrasting a largely adult activity which seems foolish and unappealing, to a relaxing day at a park, seems to be trying to point out that kids can often be more reasonable than the adults society.

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