Comics: art or cultural degradation? The whole truth about the phenomenon of the graphic genre

Comic books were once considered exclusively children’s entertainment, but today they have become part of popular culture, serious business, and even the subject of academic research. From graphic novels that win prestigious literary awards to movie universes that bring in billions of dollars, this genre has long since ceased to be just “pictures for children”. However, the controversy around him does not subside. Some consider comics to be a powerful tool for developing imagination and critical thinking, while others consider them to be an example of a simplistic culture that encourages a superficial perception of information. Modern studies confirm: the influence of comics on human thinking is controversial and much more complex than it might seem at first glance.

The place of comics in the modern world and in Ukraine

World comic book market this year is evaluated in USD 16.24 billion, and, according to experts’ forecasts, will reach USD 21.10 billion by the end of the period, showing an average annual growth rate of 5.37%. The popularity of comics continues to grow thanks to exciting stories and bright illustrations that make them attractive to a wide audience. A significant role in the transformation of the publishing industry is played by the digital format – e-comics, the availability of which varies depending on the company and genre. The proliferation of digital media-enabled devices enables users to consume content anytime, anywhere. For example, for statistics According to the National Publishing Association Institute of Publishing, total manga sales will reach ¥667 billion (US$5.05 billion) in 2022. The market is also expanding due to the release of new projects focused on the changing preferences of the audience. So, in 2022, Yen Press introduced four new titles, including “Josee Heroine No More”, “Gahi-chan!”, “Nameless Memory” and “Tiger and Fish”.

The global comics market remains relatively consolidated, dominated by a few key players, including Marvel Entertainment, Dark Horse Media, Image Comics, DC Entertainment, Archie Comics, and others. In September 2022, Dark Horse Comics announced a partnership with publishing group Penguin Random House, entering into an agreement to sell and distribute its new periodical comics, graphic novels, and manga. In July 2023, Legible Inc. announced a partnership with Cartoon Studios to launch Stanley Comics. And in June 2023, Valiant Entertainment entered into an agreement with international comic book publisher Alien Books, which has 25 years of experience in both the US and international markets.

The appearance of comics in Ukraine was the result of both the influence of global cultural trends and the desire to express one’s own social, political and cultural ideas in a visual and textual format. This genre has become an important means of communication and a tool for the formation of national self-awareness. Its development is closely linked to key events in the country’s history, reflecting political changes, social movements and cultural transformations. Today, the infrastructure supporting the graphic genre is actively developing in Ukraine, in particular the Kyiv Comic Con and Fan Expo Odessa festivals. Among the publishing houses working in the field of comics, we can single out Irbis Komiksy, Nebeskey, Leopol, UA Comix, Vovkulaka, Molfar, ArtHuss, Ridna movah, Northern Lights and Painting They not only translate cult foreign comics into Ukrainian, but also create their own original sketches, collaborating with domestic authors and artists.

From newspaper cartoons to billion-dollar blockbusters

The term “comics” comes from the English word “comic” and in Ukrainian is interpreted as “painting”. If anyone thinks that comics only tell stories about people in spandex, then they are sorely mistaken. The variety of genres here is no less than in traditional literature or cinema:

• superhero comics are the flagship of an industry that has made it global. Marvel and DC have created entire universes with heroes, antagonists, complex stories and massive crossovers;
• graphic novels are serious works that can be political, social or philosophical. For example, Art Spiegelman’s Maus tells the story of the Holocaust through the story of a Jewish family, where the characters are depicted as mice and cats;
• manga is a Japanese phenomenon that covers all possible topics: from children’s adventures (One Piece) to deep psychological dramas (Monster). In Japan, manga is read by everyone – from schoolchildren to pensioners;
• European comics – are distinguished by a special style and artistic skill. French Moebius and Belgian Asterix and Obelix proved that comics can be true art;
• underground comics are experimental, satirical, often provocative works that destroy stereotypes. For example, the works of Robert Crumb or Daniel Close.

Originally, comics served to illustrate ideas and entertain readers. The predecessors of modern comics were caricatures and graphic stories that appeared as early as the 19th century. The first real comic book, as we know it today, was born in the USA in 1895, when the New York World newspaper published “The Yellow Kid” – a series of humorous illustrations with texts in “bubbles”. Readers liked it, and soon other newspapers picked up the format.

But the real explosion came in 1938, when Superman debuted in Action Comics magazine. This moment became the starting point for an entire superhero era. Superman was followed by Batman, Captain America, Wonder Woman and other heroes who not only entertained, but embodied certain ideals and fears of their time. The Second World War, the Cold War, the struggle for human rights – comics did not just reflect the events, but shaped public opinion. Society needed a hero who survived a tragedy, but not only coped with it himself, but also became stronger and began to help others.

Comics in the cinema

Today, the film industry is so dependent on comics that it is hard to imagine what modern Hollywood would be like without them. But even 30-40 years ago, comic book adaptations were the exception rather than the rule.

The first big breakthrough was Superman (1978) with Christopher Reeve. Then came Tim Burton’s dark Batman and the iconic Men in Black. But the real revolution began in the 2000s, when X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002) proved that superhero movies could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars.

Marvel went even further and created the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), combining dozens of films into one massive story. It was a risky move, but after the release of The Avengers (2012) it became clear that comics have become the main engine of the film industry.

DC tried to keep up, betting on more serious stories. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight became not just a comic book film, but a real cinematic masterpiece that won an Oscar.

Now comics have captured not only movies, but also series (The Boys, Invincible, WandaVision), anime (Attack on the Titans), video games (Spider-Man from Insomniac Games) and even the theater – Superman on Broadway, although it was a real failure.

But not everyone approves of the arrival of comics in the cinema, because in their opinion, cinema has turned into an endless attraction of special effects, fan service and franchises designed for box office success. Comic book movies killed diversity. Hollywood doesn’t take risks anymore. Instead of experiments and bold decisions, the film industry is chasing proven formulas. The main character must have a tragic past, the secondary character must have a comical touch, the final battle must explode every ten seconds. The structure is so standard that the viewer already knows in advance who will survive, who will die and when the final monologue will be.

Another problem is that movies based on comic books are rarely about more than spectacular scenes. Political, social or philosophical subtexts are replaced by scenes under the slogan “we will save the world”. Complex characters are not inherent in this genre at all. And why, if you can just make the hero sarcastic or gloomy, depending on which archetype sells better. Hollywood no longer wants to take the risk of releasing something that might divide audiences. Everything should be accessible, easy to understand, without excessive depth. Comic films set the standard: a simple plot, a minimum of complex themes, a maximum of action and nostalgia.

And now it has become the new norm. Movies that don’t have the words Marvel or DC in the title barely raise budgets. Directors who want to shoot something non-standard are forced either to go to independent cinema or to agree to compromises. Comics imposed a rule on the film industry where the most important thing is not the story, but the brand, and the more explosions and appearances of familiar characters, the better. The result is obvious. Previously, films could change the worldview, make you think, and evoke real emotions. Now they just sell tickets and merch.

But, be that as it may, comics have turned into a phenomenon that simply cannot be ignored. They have become a full-fledged part of world culture, turning from “pictures for children” into an influential media format. Comics gave birth to new heroes, gave cinema new plots and changed the way stories were perceived. And regardless of whether you consider them art or a way of simplifying culture, it is impossible to deny their power.

Comics as art

Modern graphic novels and comics are a complex combination of literature and visual art. Artists working in this genre use special techniques to convey emotion, movement, and atmosphere. The reader receives not just a text, but a multi-layered story, where each frame is a small work of art.

One of the clear examples is the work of Alan Moore, the author of “Watchmen” and “V for Vendetta”. His comics are filled with philosophical reflections, social criticism and complex narrative structure. Or Art Spiegelman’s “Maus”, which won the Pulitzer Prize for its masterful combination of visual art and deep historical understanding of the Holocaust.

Graphic novels also allow for complex emotions to be conveyed through character facial expressions, shot composition, and color scheme. Some scenes that would require several pages of description in classic novels are conveyed in a single visual image in comics.

Comics as a threat to literature and thinking

Despite all the artistic achievements, there are arguments against comics as a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. Their nature is simplification. The texts are shorter, most of the information is presented through images, and the plots often rely on action rather than the complex construction of the inner world of the characters.

If earlier young people read Dostoyevsky, Orwell or Kafka, today many stop at Marvel or manga. The problem is not that comics exist, but that they are gradually displacing traditional literature, accustoming to fast, superficial consumption of information. A person who is used to comics may lose the skills of deep analysis of the text, because his brain adapts to the rapid transition from frame to frame, and not to thinking about long descriptions.

Research shows that the modern generation reads less long texts and more often consumes information through visual formats – social networks, videos, pictures. Comics only reinforce this trend, cementing the habit of simple and vivid stories instead of deep texts that require analysis and imagination. But not everything is so clear. Comics give children an easy entry into the world of reading. They help to associate the text with visual images, form a love for stories, teach to grasp information quickly. This is important, especially for those who do not want or cannot learn long texts. But there is also a downside: if a child gets used to short lines and frames, it becomes more difficult for him to concentrate on books that require imagination and analysis.

Adults perceive comics as a way to relax — it’s fast, bright, and you don’t have to strain. But at the same time, it gets used to simplified thinking. In classic books, the reader himself imagines the scenes, emotions of the characters, feels the rhythm of the text. Comics do it for him, reducing the need for abstract thinking.

It should be understood that not all comics are primitive. Some graphic novels are complex stories with layered characters, hidden meanings, and serious themes. They force you to analyze, understand and even revise your beliefs. The problem is not in the format itself, but in how and for what it is used. If comics become a supplement to various forms of art and literature, it enriches thinking. But if they replace everything else, it is already a bell that the brain gets used to easy content, where no effort is needed.

So, comics have long gone beyond children’s entertainment — they are read by everyone, from schoolchildren to professors. But the impact of this format on thinking remains controversial. For some, it is a true art, where the combination of text and visual images creates deep stories capable of conveying complex emotions and ideas. Drawings in comics turn into a full-fledged language that requires skill, attention to detail and understanding of frame dynamics.

But there is another point of view: the popularity of comics accustoms to simplicity, reduces the depth of text perception and gradually supplants traditional literature. The reader gets used to receiving information quickly, without the need to imagine and understand long descriptions, which can reduce the level of analytical thinking. It is fashionable to treat comics differently. They can be a work of art that expands the worldview, or superficial entertainment that accustoms to a simplified perception of the world. And what exactly they mean for everyone depends on how and for what they are used.