WEEK 5: BLANKETS by CRAIG THOMPSON

First Impressions:

I wasn't sure what to expect with this story. It felt like I was watching someone's life. I think the way Thompson illustrated his character's emotions made it easy to connect with even with the limited use of words. The way he used environments and lines really helped portray the way the character was feeling. For example, the day he leaves his girlfriend and they drive off, he didn't have to say "my world had ended". Instead, you can see how he felt on one page. (Example on the right)

Another example of use in the environment is in this example when you see him being bullied. I love how on this page Thompson conveys he was physically and mentally at a low with the composition of the rock and the faceless bullies. The use of hatching here puts a lot of weight and heavy feeling compared to the lighter hatch lines on the clouds in the previous example.

Story development was very emotional and captivating. I thought it was interesting that amidst the first couple chapters illustrating his childhood memory he cuts off, although, it can be implied what might have happened. Seeing his girlfriend be so close to her brother and have a good relationship due to past experience, he is reminded of how he didn't look out for his brother compared to her. Now seeing the rest of the memory, it has a bigger impact given the context from the beginning. If it was written differently, seeing the entire memory from the beginning I think it wouldn't have the same effect. 

In the end, I enjoyed reading this book. It took me through a lot of emotions, from regret to love and acceptance. The way Thompson conveyed his emotions through the lines and abstractions of feelings really speaks for itself. I think it's amazing how comics can convey so many emotions.