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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do comics largely emulate?

2. What do unusual container frames do to the reader?

3. Why does Eisner analyze this particular Spirit story in Chapter 3?

4. In "Contract with God," how is the text lettered?

5. From which point of view must the creator render the elements?

Short Essay Questions

1. What convention does Eisner break while depicting the scene of the hero's flight?

2. What can the artist be tempted to compromise for the sake of attracting buyers?

3. When inscriptions reappeared in the 18th-century, what did artists use to arrange their thoughts and actions for the audience?

4. Why is text sometimes lettered in a style consistent with the sentiment of a scene?

5. Why do images without words require extra sophistication in the reader/viewer?

6. Give a brief summary of the historical evolution of comics according to Chapter 1.

7. Why is time more illusory in comics?

8. Describe the nature of calligraphy.

9. Give examples of different lettering techniques or styles from Eisner's story Contract with God.

10. Why must the sequential artist deal with humans immersed in space and time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 3 analyzes the relationship between space, time, and visual perspective. Eisner explains that distance is often measured by sight and sound, but it is more difficult to assess time, because it is more illusory. Compile at least three examples provided by Eisner's work and examine the similarities and differences between how time, sight, and sound are measured and expressed in comics.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 4, Eisner develops more comparisons between comics and other forms of entertainment. At one point, he suggests that composing a comic strip panel is like designing a theatrical scene, illustration, painting, or mural. Explain Eisner's reasoning using at least four examples from Chapter 4.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 2, the relationship of the sequential artist and the reader is examined. Eisner suggests that the reader and the sequential artist must communicate through mutual life experience. Answer the following question: Why must the sequential artist and the reader share life experiences for communication to occur? Use one of your own supporting ideas to back up your statement and at least two examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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