Chapter 2, The Vocabulary of Comics Summary and Analysis

Scott opens this chapter with a description and example of the Magritte painting, "The Treachery of Images." Although the subject of the painting is a common pipe, the artist's message reads, "This is not a pipe." As Scott explains, this really is not a pipe, nor is it a painting of a pipe. It is actually ten copies of a drawing of a painting of a pipe, when one considers that each panel on the two opening pages depicting the painting actually represents one copy. Scott uses this example to demonstrate one of the many uses of icons, or images used to represent a person, place, thing, or idea. Scott explains that there are three different types of icons. Symbols, including peace signs, company logos, and the like, are one type. The letters...