Lab+3

McLuhan views media types in two distinguishable categories, "hot" and "cool" media. He describes "hot" media as a form of media wherein the recipient does not have to put much effete into filling the ambiguous gaps. A movie, which has an introduction, a climax, and an end is considered "hot" to McLuhan. "Cool" media demands more exertion in order to retain information from what is being represented. According to McLhuan "cool" media includes photography and television because the viewer cannot establish conclusions from just one sitting or viewing. McLuhan puts comics into the "cool" category as he believes that they are photographic extensions.

I disagree with this claim. A photographic extension is more like the heading of a picture in a magazine or a news paper. Comics operate on a different level than photographs. For one they are drawn and not captured. This may be irrelevant to many as they are seen as both comics and photos are visual media, but the distinction is greater than meets the eye. Scott McCloud shows us how a simple un-realistic comic character is easily perceived as ourself. Whereas a photograph, which is so descriptive and detailed, normally reminds us of another. Unlike a photographs comics "allow readers to mask themselves in a character and safely enter a sensually stimulating world." (Scott, 43) Much more informations is gathered from a comic than a photograph.

This may not hold true to Graphic Novels which are extremely descriptive and detailed in nature. However, most graphic novels read as a book. They have a beginning, climax, and a conclusion much like a film. A great deal of information is gathered from the viewer. So it too is a much more than just an photographic extension.

McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1993. Print.