How Illustrations Alter the Act of Reading

            The act of reading is significantly altered in the way it is perceived when illustrations are added, as in the manner of a comic strip or graphic novel. When the elements of setting, character appearances, and imagery are shown instead of being left to the reader’s imagination, the pictures are all used strategically in portraying the scenes specifically to the way the author wants the audience to see them.

In this respect, the use of imagery in comics will often manipulate the audience’s perceptions of a subject. Images will show the protagonist with iconic features and the villain as a menacing opponent. As in the case of Tin Tin in the Land of the Soviets, this is illustrated clearly as Tin Tin, the small, innocent, yet heroic reporter and his trusty dog sidekick, Snowy, are relentlessly pursued by the Soviet authority. The characters of the Soviets are much larger than little Tin Tin and always have a stern expression on their faces. The images given to the audience show bias toward Tin Tin and manipulate the reader to form negative denotations for the Russian leadership.

The inclusion of Snowy, the talking dog sidekick, is somehow more believable in the form of a cartoon illustration. As a cartoon, Snowy can take on a more humanistic persona without any doubt from the reader. He provides a point of view that gives both comic relief during times of action, as well as a cute and likeable character that the audience with sympathize with. In written text, this guileful tool would not be as effective on the audience. Cartoons and illustrations alongside text provide an appropriate outlet for anthropomorphism that would otherwise have to be described in depth terms in writing, as opposed to merely placing a thought or speech bubble next to the animal or object so that it may participate in dialogue as a human character does.

Comics like Tin Tin give insight to how the author, as well as the author’s culture, perceives countries and world issues during their time period and often as propaganda in order to persuade the reader to adopt the same opinions on the topic. The inclusion of pictorial images gives a heightened sense of entertainment to the story, as well as broadens the scope of the audience. As a reader, I feel that I am more unquestionably accepting of the author’s purpose and opinion in the story because it is presented in a less “serious’ manner.