The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The reason a comic like The Arrival works so well is because of how well Shaun Tan understands the general use of visual language.  Tan understands what reactions to have his characters do, when to put flashbacks in use to explain a backstory, and the subconscious understanding of how much the reader can connect themselves by simply looking at two images.  There's an interaction that the main character had with a immigration worker who was interrogating him and all of his reactions were completely spot on for someone who doesn't understand a language. The guy went to his ear implying he couldn't hear, he shrugged, his eyebrows and eyes gave the perfect look of genuine confusion. The combination of these aspects along with reading them all together makes it simple to recognize "hey, this character doesn't understand the language of his new country".  It's interesting how he's so good at understanding what we need explained and what can be left to the imagination in order to help the story.  I have no clue what the black monsters were and how they came to be, but that adds to the mysteriousness of his world.  Meanwhile, I immediately can figure out when he immigrates to another country (that I assumed was America because the reference he used seemed like an image of old New York) but none of this was stated at all, it was simply showing the man going on a long boat trip overseas.  A really important key to the story was also how he kept reminding us of significant objects that mattered in the story, like the man's framed picture he kept of his family. I can't even count how many times he snuck it into the story but it helped reinforce that "look, this is important, this is his family that he cares greatly about". The reason we can even come to that conclusion is how he assumes we know that whenever we care deeply about a friend/ family member we keep photos of them. This use of common knowledge and simple story build up along with flashbacks and reinforcement through objects is what collectively makes this story work and read better than most movies out today.

Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics

A big aspect I really enjoyed about Understanding Comics was when Scott McCloud broke down the six steps for the learning process of comics.  In a way he basically nailed that path that all of us go down as artists.  I know that whenever I'm having an artistic crisis I go back to what my idea is and how I want to form it. It's very interesting to see that growth of an artist explained in this way, because I've definitely been through at least the first 3 dilemmas at once in my life.  The real issue is how to push yourself into those upper echelons without losing your original purpose in art. Although that also changes over time the more you create and learn from your craft.  The thing that still gets me though is at any time I feel like I'l rapidly shift through any of those steps without even realize it.  Alternatively I'll also find myself stuck on one aspect like the surface/technique of an artist I like, or where do I want to go with my style.  It's important things to ponder but the apple illustration displays why thinking of the big picture is fundamental.  Without the seeds of good ideas, how do you fully grow out your art?