How do comics tell heavy stories? —— A research about graphic novels with serious topics
Linghui Jin
Nowadays, graphic novels gradually gain the ability to call attention to serious facts. I explore the magical effects when serious topics combine with comic form and utilize the comics' features in telling a dark history about “comfort women”. When those young women were imprisoned in a Japanese brothel, they struggled in despair but still cared about others. I hope my comics can make sure these women and their stories are not forgotten. We need to remember the victims. Telling the public what happened in the past is a way to prevent history from repeating itself.
Book trailer
During Japan's occupation of China (1937-1945), around 200,000 Chinese women were forced into sexual slavery and designated as "comfort women" by the Japanese military. The Japanese army kidnapped women and imprisoned them in military brothels. Most of them were tortured to death or committed suicide. Only very few survived.
Characters
The book includes three chapters, and each chapter focuses on one main character. They represent victims of different ages, cultures and identities. I used flowers to symbolize them. Flowers are like metaphors to express the beauty of these young lives. Besides, different languages of flowers correspond with characters' personalities.
Irregular frames
Unlike traditional comic panels, I play with irregular frames and deliver a sense of mood about characters in this way. Therefore, not only drawings, but also these frames can communicate feelings and stories to audiences.
Speech balloons
In some pages, speech balloons' colors and positions have different meanings. For example, when Ping Xiang talked with Yu Ning, I used red and blue speech balloons to represent each character.
Abstract drawings
I use a lot of abstract drawings. These vague narrative elements increase audiences' imaginations and personal understanding, and can help audiences get into the world of my story.
The first chapter, Yu Ning
Yu Ning is 16 years old and studies in high school. Like Yulan magnolia, she is pure and innocent. She helped Ping Xiang when others were bullying her and transmitted hope and love to Hai Yan.
The second chapter, Ping Xiang
Ping Xiang is 23 years old. Before the war, she was a prostitute. She is extremely brave and calm in this disaster. Like the pomegranate flower, she has a strong personality.