Spanish Comics: The Evolution Of Spanish Comics

In Understanding Comics, McCloud defines comics as, “Juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer” (McCloud, 1993, p. 9).

Throughout history, as we study Spain we can clearly recognize high and low points in their success. In the fifteen hundreds Spain had no influence on European affairs, Spain essentially vanished out of Europe. However, within one complete century Spain had become not only a leading power but they also had a great sense of effectiveness in Europe. Spain experienced a Golden age with many social, economic, political aspects. On the other hand, within

Las Casas' writing became popular in England and other nations then struggling with Spain for supremacy in the New

Why are comics not appreciated as much as the dry narratives of novels in the literary world? A comic is composed of symbols to express concepts shared by all people in their own social environment, and provide more tools than conventional art to truly show artistic intention.

The Spanish Civil war took place from 1936-1939 between the republicans and the nationalists. The war came about due to the second republic wanting to revolutionise numerous concepts of Spain that they were against at the same time. Those concepts are land reform, the catholic church, education, labour relations and rights. Its promises had generated great expectations which, eventually, led to disappointments, but also created some powerful enemies in terms of social and economic individual and institutions. Since the Spanish Civil war, many films and books have been documented to show the impact and teach new generations about the country’s history. The film ‘El espinazo del diablo’ and the short story ‘La lengua de las mariposas’ both portray

Cartoons have been a prominent and interesting apparatus for politics throughout the ages. Political movements, parties, and groups using propaganda to further their beliefs dates back to the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Though America faces an austere history, lighthearted propaganda colors its decades and gives them life. Political cartoons are so widely used in America that they have become a significant piece of pop culture. Moreover, because of their ability to capture the reader’s attention, propaganda is exploited throughout politics.The cartoons are wonders of the human imagination; illustrators create comical images and intertwine profound political opinions to influence their viewer’s mind. For example, one movement that abundantly grew from propaganda was the women’s rights movement. The artists of the seemingly despised cause drew controversial cartoons that set a fire in the hearts of women all over the world. Consequently, the same cartoons ignited a passionate war between women who wanted freedom, and those who believed that women could not handle that freedom. Through the use of colorful concepts and daring expressions, political cartoons display the influence of the women’s rights movement throughout history, while the cartoons of Anti-Feminists demonstrates the world’s reaction to the movement.

Louisiana is a compilation of French and Spanish cultures that merged with American ways of life to create a state filled with rich history and potential. Founded in the early 1700s by European explorers, Louisiana was viewed as a gold mine for traders who planned to take advantage of the state’s geographical closeness to the Mississippi River . The land of Louisiana is home to very diverse culture clusters of people. These culture clusters include “original Indian inhabitants, plus the descendants of a variety of settlers, among whom were the French, Spanish, English, German, Acadians, West Indians, Africans, Irish and Italians and now include almost every nationality on earth. ” The diversity of people, languages, and cultures in Louisiana gives the state a southern uniqueness.

Over the years, comic books have reflected what was happening in the world around us. Hot topics and issues have taken place in these fantasy worlds. They have been used as propaganda. For example during the second world war, you could read about your favorite heroes fighting and eventually defeating Hitler and the nazis, therefore saving the world. During the cold war, they fought the soviets.

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘El Laberinto del Fauno’ depicts the story of a little girl, Ofelia, and her adventures in a world that is intertwined with both reality and fantasy. The film is set five years after the Spanish Civil War, during Franco’s dictatorship of Spain. Franco’s dictatorship was a period of mass repression on all scales of society; any political opposition was immediately crushed. Guillermo del Toro uses the monsters in ‘El Laberinto del Fauno’ to reflect and criticize aspects of Francoist society and draw parallels between the monsters and the humans.

The Spanish civil war of 1936-1939 was an important conflict in Spain’s history. This war was initiated by a military revolt led by General Francisco Franco on the 17 July 1936 and ended with Franco’s victory on the 1 April, 1939. This victory resulted in the replacement of the Second Spanish Republic with the conservative dictatorship of Franco. This conflict triggered the clash of the various cultures and ideologies within Spain. One important example of an ideological clash was that of Communism versus Fascism. This clash was so important that, based on an analysis of the level of involvement of Fascist and Communist factions in said clash, one must concede that the conflict between Communism and Fascism was represented to a great

In Alexander Vergara’s article, “Images of Revolution and War,” the author argues that propaganda during the Spanish Civil War circa 1936-1939 were used by their creators as a tool either to advance or tear down a certain ideology, movement, individual, etc. The first technique he uses to persuade the reader of this is to give eyewitness reports from individuals who were alive during the war commenting on propaganda. One such quote is from a man in Spain observing how many propaganda posters were all over the city and how they were used to portray a variety of agendas (anti-fascism, emancipation of women, etc.) Vergara then writes his analysis of the quote: “The posters provided an essential part of life to individuals living in the tragedy

The fascinating and beautiful country of Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe. The history that Spain has had has left great stories to tell and remarkable landmarks to visit. Spain is located in the south west corner of Europe, with its neighboring countries, Portugal and France. It has a population of forty million plus people, but almost one-third of the nation’s population is foreigners that reside in its territory. One of the most important facts about Spain is that its economy is one of the largest in the world. Spain is currently in a recession, with low employment rates and poverty.

La Movida Madrileña, meaning “The Action of Madrid”, was an unplanned countercultural movement from 1977 to 1985 in Spain. It began when Dictator Francisco Franco died and Spain erupted with pent-up energy. It was a movement that valued style over substance. The cultural revolution was evident in the music, subculture, fashion, alcohol, drugs, and sexual experimentation. La Movida took place primarily in Madrid, although some other cities such as Barcelona and Vigo had their own Movidas. Popular nightlife slang of the time reflected the spirit of the movement: “¿Dónde está la movida?”— “Where’s the action?”

Since the times of the Persian Empires, propaganda has been an effective tool for forces of the State government, or other institutions trying to spread a political message, usually for militarily or humanitarian missions. In modern times, propaganda has taken a new face with the Internet, but during the 1940’s one of the most effective types of propaganda was the use of comic books. Currently comic books are used around the world to spread the message of peace, war, and even religion. For example, in Egypt a comic book is used to spread the word of Islam and what a true Muslim should act like in accordance to Allah. Catholic undertones are used in comic books to spread a message of Christianity to people in an interesting way, with bloody action. In Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War, Superman was used to get out awareness of landmines to the people in affected areas. Comic Books are an effective form of propaganda because they are meant to be interesting, and the superheroes show people how they should be acting during times of strife. Throughout the history of comic books, they have been unifying and brought people together and light to certain messages for people from different countries, cultures, and ethnicities.

From an early age I loved to read. At just two years old I would beg my mother to enroll me into school. I watched as my older sister meticulously picked out her outfit each night in preparation for the next school day. At such a young age I somehow knew that this thing called “school” was the answer to something spectacular. My home was chaotic and reading became an escape and helped distract me from the unpleasant family dynamic.