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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can be altered to add time lapse without altering rhythm?

2. What does this alphabetic expression introduce?

3. What kind of pictographs weld visual imagery and "uniform derivative" symbols?

4. What is used to move a reader or viewer through time?

5. What other example of time measurement does Eisner mention?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can the artist be tempted to compromise for the sake of attracting buyers?

2. How does Eisner analyze a long Spirit story, "Foul Play," to show how time is realized through the sequence of events?

3. Why is the repetitiveness of comics compared to a language forming its own grammar?

4. How does the panel function as a stage?

5. Why is bridging gaps in the action a more visceral than intellectual activity?

6. What does communicating ideas involve?

7. Why must the sequential artist deal with humans immersed in space and time?

8. Give examples of different lettering techniques or styles from Eisner's story Contract with God.

9. Give a brief summary of the historical evolution of comics according to Chapter 1.

10. Why is time more illusory in comics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, Eisner develops more comparisons between comics and other forms of entertainment. At one point, he suggests that composing a comic strip panel is like designing a theatrical scene, illustration, painting, or mural. Explain Eisner's reasoning using at least four examples from Chapter 4.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 6, Eisner discusses the history of repetitive glyphs and explains their importance in comics as a form of language. Compare and contrast the repetitive glyphs in early cave drawings, Egyptian friezes, hieroglyphics, and comics. How did these codes progress? How did comics draw upon and progress from these ancient examples?

Essay Topic 3

Since the artist controls the orientation of the reader/viewer's perspective, the artist functions somewhat like a director of the comic. Eisner goes even further to say that the panel functions as a stage. Discuss three ways in which the panel works as a stage. Use material from Chapter 4 to support your examples.

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