“Stumbling” Analysis

Today’s comic was really heartwarming; along with being (in my opinion) one of the better-illustrated comics recently (very neat character design and clean shading), it really was one of those diary comics that puts you there in the moment with Bobke and his friends.

Panel 1 is a classic exposition panel, introducing the characters and setting efficiently in text, with tiny stars twinkling in the background to communicate the nighttime atmosphere.

Panel 2 continues the coziness with a moment of friendship shared with Gil—however, there is a tinge of danger introduced, as we learn the ground is icy, and likely very slippery. I really think the shape of Gil’s hood is great at communicating the temperature (cold) and Gil’s response (hood) while still showing the character’s face clearly.

Panel 3 is a great action panel, of course; we see Bobke slip and fall dramatically, and I think the white eyes here (which I haven’t been a fan of in previous comics) viscerally communicate a sense of sudden fear. However, I think the real charm is in the text: “It was nice.” Sometimes we don’t tell our friends we appreciate them as much as we should, and Bobke confronts this in his art; in fact, much of his art is about friendship itself and the way our friends shape our world.

Panel 4 is textbook, beautifully shaded, very creative with the bottom-up view, and pretty funny as well (while Lily and Ethan are amused, Gil is peeved at Ben’s hubris). 

Overall, a great diary comic; I knew that as a fan, I simply had to write on it, and I think I’ll be reflecting on this one for a while.