As a prompt for the ‘Perfect Letter’ reading, I chose the letter A since that is my middle initial and I like my middle name more than the other parts of my name. A represents the beginning timelessly and is always associated with learning and with good grades since the US uses A, B, C, D, and F to represent how well one is doing in their studies. A was the start of everything, even dating back to 1,000 BC and has had the richest life due to it being at the very beginning.
Understanding Comics is probably one of the most insightful and interesting educational and informational text I have ever encountered. I didn’t really get into comics and manga until I started high school and realized that I could actually enjoy reading. A couple friends recommended a few series that I would probably like and I without hesitation loved them and I started thinking that I could do that too so I started my writing career with fan fiction and drawing small fractions of scenes that I could see in my head. I tried doing something comic-like a few different times and came to the conclusion that my drawing skills are not up to speed with what I want to do and how I want it to look. I’ve always had an appreciation for comics since my first encounter was with a book that was a two stories in one kind of thing and had a Batman story and a Superman one. Once I moved up to Washington, my uncle started getting me and my brother different comics and now I have a collection of Star Wars Vader comics as well as every single Legend of Zelda manga that exists. The style of the art along with the story that goes with the art has my unyielding adoration for all eternity because of how real it feels. People say that books are better than movies, others say the opposite. I say that comics and mangas are the perfect blend of action and emotion in a physical, still form. It’s like reading a show at your own pace and being able to go back to that one part that you absolutely loved just so you can take in every single detail of the shot without motion blur that comes with pausing a show or movie. Going back to the book by Scott McCloud, I love that it breaks down comics to the barebones what it is and how it works. It’s inspired me to try following along with my own writings to see if there is a better form for them than just text on a page.