Comics rely heavily on such a visual element as color. This is due to the fact that this aspect helps to fulfill many different tasks that the author faces when creating a work. So, the color helps to convey the characters’ mood and the narrative’s general atmosphere. Thus, this response aims to study how a color element has a symbolic and thematic role in a Superman comic based on chapters from work.
First of all, it is necessary to consider colors’ role in literary works. Many readers often do not pay attention to this aspect, but it has a practical value for conveying mood and atmosphere and giving symbolism to the comic. In addition, research stated that “Comics contain a bunch of different colors, usually split between background colors and foreground colors” (Comic Book Colors para. 14). These elements often immediately catch the reader’s eye and set the future tone of the entire work. Hence, one of the main tasks of color is to highlight the main character against the background of the others. Moreover, the choice of palette depends on whether the protagonist is positive or negative. Therefore, the authors usually highlight good characters with brighter colors and negative ones with darker ones. Clark Kent, when he becomes Superman, is dressed in a bright blue suit with a red raincoat and boots, which immediately distinguishes him and gives the reader the opportunity to understand what place he occupies in the narrative.
Regarding thematic importance, color has a valuable contribution and helps to convey the main stages of Clark Kent’s life and formation into a famous superhero. Hence, in the first issue, warm colors such as orange, yellow, and shades of green and light blue dominate. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the main events take place in the summer. Even the scenes that take place at night are not characterized by gloom and coldness; the artist, on the contrary, conveys calmness by depicting it. The last scene of the farewell of the son and father fascinates the reader with its richness of color, symbolizing the beginning of a new stage in Clark Kent’s life.
The second issue focuses on a young boy’s new life stage when he becomes not only an independent man but also gradually becomes a well-known superhero. When depicting how the main character performs his activities to help the city, people can immediately understand his significance to the narrative. Henceforth, the artists distinguish him not only by the brightness of his blue-red suit but also by the fact that they depict the city against the background in muted, washed-out colors. Moreover, the same thing happens when several people appear in the picture at once. Superman is clearly separated from them, which indicates his central role. It is worth noting that the office of one of the protagonists is made in the same colors. Various shades of gray and white convey the coldness of the illustrated place.
The color also helps convey the ordinariness of Clark Kent when he is not a superhero. Bright blue and red are replaced by light, almost white, tones in clothes. Thus, the author makes it clear that Clark is no different from the people around him, which helps him avoid suspicion. In addition, the second issue is similar in using a color palette to depict the environment and surroundings.
The cover of the third issue differs significantly from the previous ones. Darker colors are used for it, mainly red and black, which suggests a severe possible collision in the further narrative. Thus, much attention is paid to the character Lex Luther, who is determined to reveal the identity of Superman, despite the fact that he does only good for the city. This character is depicted against a background of light yellow and blue. In this case, the symbolism of these colors implies peacefulness and tranquility. However, the reader can guess that inside, Luther is hatching something insidious to achieve his goal. One of the pages is dedicated to the image of Superman’s enemy, almost wholly made in black, which symbolizes his hostile intentions.
In moments of the emotional peak, color also becomes a tool for conveying the emotions of the characters to the reader. Thus, at the death of Jenny Vaughn, the dark blue color dominates, depicting an overwhelming atmosphere. To depict the coldness of Lex Luther, illustrators use various cold shades of purple, blue and green, practically depriving him of standard human skin color. Thus, they convey that this character is ready to use people, with the prospect of their death, just to defeat Superman.
The cover of the latest issue of the Superman story shows that the emphasis is on such a season as winter. The snow-covered city is covered with white snow against which the villain in green and purple suits look exceptionally bright. Superman had not appeared for a long time, and people began to wonder what had happened to him. It is at this moment that the idea comes to the head of Clark Kent’s colleague Lois that he is the superhero that everyone is waiting for. The black color of the woman’s hair distinguishes her from the rest of the newspaper staff and emphasizes her uniqueness. Further, the authors show that a woman plays one of the leading roles in revealing the story of Superman. A warm home environment in orange and red tones was instantly interrupted by the dark blue and black colors of the night. It is at this moment that Clark receives negative news about the reservoir in Kent’s hometown. Gradually, Superman decides to return to the city. The artists depict this event with a bright ray of red and blue among the brown and gray city.
Thus, the colors used in the comic help convey emotion and mood atmosphere in the comic. In addition, this element assists in tying together the overall coming-of-age theme presented in the journey of Clark Kent. From a simple resident of Smallville, Kent turns into a beloved hero who helps people. His red and blue suit is a symbol of the hope he gives to the future of the city in which he performs his exploits. It is worth noting that color, in particular, successfully helps convey the characters’ emotional tone. Therefore, in times of peace and happiness, illustrators use warm colors. However, in Superman’s story’s challenging and tense moments, the colors become much darker and colder in shades.
Works Cited
“Comic Book Colors.” Happy Coding.