One of the things I find so appealing about abstract comics is the merging together of what was traditionally considered elitist or “high brow” art, with a genre traditionally seen as common or “low brow”. I have a deep distaste for convention, and it was always a frustration to me that these two styles of art were segregated and categorized on opposite ends of a classist system for so long.
I love stories and am fascinated by the intricacies of visual storytelling. As a child, I was told that comics were for kids who couldn’t read. I got shamed for bringing home a comic book from the school library. Contrary to how many still view comics, my introduction was not through superheroes, but vintage comics like Popeye, Archie, Dagwood and Blondie, which I had access to at friends houses. Superheroes are just one genre among a multitude in the comics universe, and I’ve never read them.
I love abstract art. I love sequential art. I love the layout and movement of panels. I love the beauty of linework and the elements of visual language—shape, texture, contrast, color, rhythm, repetition etc.—and composition (the relationship of all those elements to each other). I like that abstract art offers a choice of looking inward, as well as outward, and absolute freedom from a creative standpoint.
