POV

One of the key elements apparent in every comic is the use of perspective or in other terms, how the artist utilizes the point of view on his scenes. Perspectives aren’t just there for visual aesthetics. They are there to help the artist to convey and emphasize the words associated with the scene. I chose page 51 of Maus I to explain the importance of perspective.

                          

On the second panel, it zooms up on the officer’s face. We can clearly see his discontent of the Jews on his face and his hands are up in a threatening manner. From this angle, or camera shot, this expression and gesture amplifies the officer’s speech. If it was an angle where we couldn’t see his face, the readers couldn’t experience the pure malice in his words. 

On the third panel, the perceptive shown here carries out the words. The picture lets the reader connect “put down all your valuables!” with the action. If the perspective was still on the officer, we wouldn’t have seen the mice rummage through their clothing pulling out valuables and the command “put down all your valuables!” (Maus I) would just fly over our heads.

 Finally, the sixth panel shows a close-up of two hands, or rather one grabbing the other. This close-up emphasizes the situation at hand. If the camera shot wasn’t zoomed in on Vladek’s hand, the readers would have little understanding when the cat said “you never worked a day in your life!” (Maus I).

                         

  

This use of perspective relates to the types of techniques presented in “Show and Tell”. The point of view develops word-picture combinations even further, creating a synergistic relationship that immerses the reader into the story line.