There is no denying that the comic is good press lately. Album Reviews appear in public writings (eg, "Politics," "Cross", "Gazeta Wyborcza") and are usually positive. The creators of the comics were noticed by the editors of "Textile Bis" - a position which is intended to be a map of the young Polish culture. Even the literary and philosophical quarterly [for: pa] opened its columns to the subject of comics, what this text is the best proof. One word - paradise.
developers to be completely happy only comic book readers are missing. When asked why they do not exist, no one yet has found a satisfactory answer, although there were many trials and tests were interesting. I would like to look at some of them. I hope the reader will forgive me quite a loose form of argument, essay closer than serious theoretical work. This form arises from the belief that the inclusion of a number of footnotes, whether the implementation of the following reasoning in a systematic theoretical framework does not bring much to the same content. Therefore, instead of the theoretical (or critical) precision, I put on the affordability of the text and personal perspective.
The low popularity of comics, in fact, the Third Republic as one of the first to write Thomas Marciniak, a sociologist from Torun, enthusiast, writer, journalist and researcher comic comic. The "environment" his theory has gained the graceful name of "curse Marciniak," and for a long time has become a paradigm to explain the reading of drought, even though it came down to the fact that the comic book as the only medium of western popular culture has not accepted on Polish soil. Soap operas, sitcoms, popcorn at the cinema, music celebrities free voice and hearing - you're welcome! Comic - no! Winny was obviously a system that effectively marked the picture stories, as stories for children. Point of view Marciniak had at least two advantages: agree with the facts (comic hits were not and are not able to cross the threshold of sales allowing the developers did not think about the next assignment of an advertising agency as a deliverance) and thrown the blame for this state indefinitely historical necessity. This vision rozgrzeszała both authors (because the curse is not even a genius can handle) and readers (because it's not their fault that the forces of history have allowed them to enjoy the blessings of the comic book stories). Besides conclusion about the low "consumption" - the curse Marciniak little explained, and this at variance with historical sales figures comic books.
common sense, and why Poles, who had opportunity to see the cartoons in textbooks to the Polish language (and it's quite a few years ago!), Would they still harbored secret resentment of the comics? During the reign of the largest black PR directed against pictorial stories, comic books by Polish authors (Baranowski, Christa, Chmielewski) sold in the hundreds of thousands of copies, and now doing an impression Issue 10 000 copies Szninkla literally disappeared from the kiosks within a few days.
arguments shortcomings Marciniak resulted in the failure of attempts to supplement the theory of the comic, as a mass medium. One of them proclaimed that the cartoon crisis, because it must compete with new, attractive media. A huge number of films in theaters, a wide range of literature, to computer games - all this made the comic situation after 1989 has worsened dramatically. It is difficult to identify the author of this theory - it seems in fact that's one of those views that the similarity of the virus infect the population, and is constantly mutating, very difficult to establish the first victim. And again the answer to the question of what is due to this lack of readers apparently seems to be satisfactory: difficult to expect that after the money for a computer game (and previously on the computer), cinema, theater, a book in your pocket will have enough money for comics. Note that this suggestion is contained a priori court that the comic rivalry that must be defeated because of his attractiveness is by definition smaller than the attractiveness of the novel or movie. But this can not be taken for granted. In this case, should be considered for the comic medium in some way flawed - and therefore agree with the notorious communist-owskim slanderers who go beyond the pale-off culture. Sure it has some comic constraints resulting from the specificity of the medium, but each medium has its specific limitations.
I do not know how these concerns have led to the emergence of another theory, in any event, proclaiming to the assumption that the comic by definition is not a crippled form of artistic expression seemed obvious the birth of the idea obarczającego comic creators fault, especially the Polish. Since the Polish classics comics were able to achieve success comparable to the best-selling writers, is today's market collapse due to the fact that young people can not create as great comics. Ba! In general, can not do comics! Instead, deal with pseudoartystycznymi exploration or indulge in creative strictly underground, which never moves the mass audience. These types of allegations can be read even in online statements of Peter Smith, author of a series of commission Gail . Currently, Smith draws for foreign publishers - and this is the undoubted success of the author. But the casus suggest that the case is not so simple. Because as it is: Kowalski Poland was not able to do comic books (because Gail has raised the market), and abroad, already knows? Highly suspicious ... Support the argument that the inability of native authors also provide comic Christopher Skrzypczyk position.
Skrzypczyk has for years been organizing symposia Komiksologicznych and doing really a lot to popularize the book, and also tries to make discussions about comics that have been conducted according to high standards of intellectual property. Despite the very positive expression of "the funniest of all the arts," spares no words of criticism directed at the home of artists and regular symposia on topics proposed the following places: Polish comics "Post-underground" to masters and works of the comic book "mainstream" (including, for example: the issue of incommensurability "mega-narcissism" of young Polish komiksiarzy to actual artistic achievements - in the context of the timeless values \u200b\u200bof the true masters of accomplishments) . Frankly, I do not know about what and whom, "mega-narcissism" mean? How does this attitude manifests itself? Is due to low sales of the authors should be denied the pleasure of meeting readers and autograph signing at the comic book events? It is, moreover, at this moment no matter - the important thing is that the situation of being obvious comic book pop culture in the tail meant that Skrzypczyk, rejecting the diagnosis Marciniak, found that modern comics creators are unable to interest readers, not comics at all (even ponadczasowi Masters).
me uncomfortable with this view argue, because I am an active creator of comic book - perhaps even demonstrate the attitude of the mega-narcissism. But I can not fail to notice that kind of "generational flaw" komiksiarzy not the case. Because, as explained by the victory in international competition and Janusz Gawronkiewicz ( Essence ), Trouble-free edition of Tales of a fisherman Irka Konior France (Prime abroad, then Polish edition!), Or even deal with Western publishers Piotr Kowalski? While the essence of both and Tales fisherman in Poland did not exceed a few thousand copies sold. Another thing is that even renowned foreign authors are unable to Polish media interest the reader. Neil Gaiman is a star of world literature and comics, and yet his cartoons in Poland is not selling better than the comic books by Polish authors. Remains an open question why the readers-writer Gaiman do not buy the Gaiman-komiksiarza. The same case is with Tadeusz Baranowski. Seller past hundreds of thousands of copies, is now forced to spend their own expense in the comics collectors editions (a few hundred copies), which, taking into account the quality of his comics and fully deserved the position of Master of Polish comics is simply a scandal! But could it be the curse?
would like to introduce yet another hypothesis that explains this sad state of affairs. Yes, and these theories (of course not in the strict sense), this view is shared by many people (those stirring often, moreover, the arguments in a kind of cocktail), and even I myself gave him a word in an interview with Mark .
Under this approach, the key to the present state of things there were periods of drought, comic book, that made the comic book reading culture can not develop on such a scale, as in Western countries. Lack of continuity and a cultural habit in dealing with "literature picture 'cause he had one hand ease prosecution comic book infantilism content and form, on the other convict him on the situation worse starting the race in the aforementioned films, literature and computer games. According to this concept, "torn" desk comic (periods of "drought" in the People's Republic and the Third Republic) meant that generally people involved in the culture (or pop culture) can not and does not know that you can discuss about comics.
comic situation - it's a total business niche. A niszowość allows for more creative freedom, and prefer, instead of underground mainstream - which is easy to see comic books in the home (how many times during the discussion of theorists comic comic grounds of lack of rains means?). Unfortunately, this approach is burdened with the same error as mentioned earlier - can not stand criticism. It is true that in Poland after 1989 was not the mainstream comics. Was. Although not primarily Polish, but it is at this moment does not matter. Because these were the items that are sold in the west of the millions of inputs ( Sprytek ), and we have died from lack of interest of readers. Readers were not interested in mainstream - but remained on the market these titles, which readily compared with the Underground (and my hedgehog Jerzy Lesniak whether Wilq Minkiewiczów brothers). As far as the kernel of the argument, which is interrupted continuity, many years' work at the root of "Egmont with his Donald Duck should have long impact on the expansion of the comic book market, and yet little of this came out. Masses of readers Donald already grown from the reading of his adventures i. .. no longer read comics at all! It may, however, is a comic book just for kids?
question about the lack of people willing to read comic books is one of the most interesting theoretical questions related to the comic situation in Poland. If the wretched achievements Album comic (because how else to call several thousand, up kilkudziesięciotysięczne spending a few best-sellers?) add a very popular Donald Duck and the Witch (who has a younger sister or daughter aged 7-13 years, this can easily decipher the acronym), it nothing is not clear. Boys and girls are willing to read the comics, like them, are able to persuade parents to regularly spending money on newspaper comics, and then - suddenly - they lose interest in stories opowiadanymi with the comic. Why? Publishing offer is so wide, that virtually every comic book genre is represented (out of probably only a pornographic comic book, which, despite attempts to inoculate the publisher Mandragora even after the first proud, excuse, ejaculation, limp, uwiądł i. .. tyleśmy can see it!). This lack of demand for comics, and more specifically the lack of a meaningful explanation of why this is so, a kind of Great Puzzles Comics.
Finally, I would draw attention to a consequence of the described state of affairs. The point is that the lack of a decent comic book market makes creating business history is drawn strictly hobby. Creating comics is fundamentally different from, say, collecting stamps. Philatelist does not have to share with anyone your collection - it can get pleasure from having an interesting collection, regular viewing, care, etc.. Meanwhile, comic artist, like any artist, needs of the recipient. Someone who will read / saw what he created. This will be commented, complimented, criticized. And here the circle closes. Hobby of creating comic books in time becomes a source of frustration. People stop to create comics - Please reach even to the anthology Comics - Comic Anthology of Polish (published by Egmont in 2000) and see how many of these authors there is no longer create anything. As long as the comic did not come up over the broad waters of pop culture, this situation does not improve.
[first edition: [for: pa] 2007]
0 comments:
Post a Comment