In the first panel, the scene (a grocery store) is made clear by the background and shopping cart. I used crayon for the background and marker for the main characters and important items because the marker is bolder and more noticeable. By the second panel, the main character (my monster) is known because he is present again. He is the only character repeated throughout the comic strip which shows he is the star of the story. In the second panel, words are used to show what the monster is thinking. This sets up the rest of the story as it is known his goal is to get peanut butter. In the third panel I put yellow dashes around the peanut butter jar to show that it is important and appear as though it is shining in the mind of the monster. The monster’s facial expression in this panel shows determination as his eyebrow is pressed down and his mouth is slightly curved upward. The thought bubble uses words to provide a further explanation of his feelings at this moment. By the fourth panel, the only other character enters (the lady) and presents the conflict. The monster’s facial expression this time is upset and nervous. This is shown by his open mouth and eyebrow pressed upward, showing dismay. His resolution is presented in the fifth panel, and the lady looks shocked, which is communicated through her upward eyebrow and open mouth. The sixth and final panel uses the words to finally have the monster speak, which in combination with his facial expression show he is embarrassed. I made the background less complex as the cartoon went on to make the focus be on the two characters and the story. The complexity of the first panel served the purpose of defining the setting.

Collage 2

I replaced the road block with a runner crossing the finish line, to emphasize the accomplishment that can come from large numbers of people. The people gathered are like the bees, and united caused a lot of change. The old car without wheels represents the old ways the people were trying to change. The car has no wheels to show that the old ways can't go on any longer. It is out of focus to show it going away. The rose represents what good can grow when large groups gather for a certain cause.

Comic explanation

I chose a Peanuts comic. It consists of four panels. The background color goes from dark blue to yellow back to dark blue. It is not very complicated as the same scene is repeated with the same characters. Charlie Brown and Lucy are standing watching Snoopy perform a show with hand puppets on top of his dog house. Lucy comments on the fact that they have been spectators for six hours. Charlie Brown responds by pointing out that they are taking advantage of a rare opportunity. This comic is supposed to be funny in that dogs can’t put on plays. Also, Snoopy’s choice of War and Peace is completely outlandish.

comic strip

Here is the comic strip I chose. It is Peanuts, one of my favorites.