CCT+300+Assignment+1

Written By: Alicia Santos 997399024 Professor: Michael Jones CCT 300
 * A Brief Analysis of the “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde**

A Brief Analysis of the “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Scott McCloud, author of “Understanding Comics”, argues that comics of all types have existed since the implementation of hieroglyphics, to convey different types of messages to people. Today, comics are used for many different purposes, one being the recreation of classic pieces of literature. Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy did just that with the comic book adaption of the timeless “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. It is clear that many of the concepts taught in Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics” are exemplified within the “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, however, after careful contemplation and in depth analysis of both texts, it seems as though the most important element of the comic book experience is audience participation. In the following pages, one will have a brief look at the importance of the role Cam Kennedy gives the reader with regards to reader-identification with characters, plot settings and action sequences.

Kennedy chose to illustrate this comic book in the style of a traditional action cartoon. The characters are drawn in a way that plays on the readers familiarity with the human image in that “only outlines and a hint of shading are [still] present, but we easily recognize this as a human face” (29, McCloud). The characters are drawn with enough detail that the reader can differentiate between them fairly easily. Even though the cartoons themselves do not literally resemble human form as a photograph would, Kennedy does a fantastic job of creating characters that take on simple human physical features. Take Mr. Utterson, Dr. Jekyll’s lawyer and the main narrator of the story, for example. He is pictured as a middle aged man, with a strong bone structure signifying confidence. He is never drawn with a smile on his face, but his character is a genuine person who values the difference between right and wrong. His dignified and morally conscious personality shows through in his character sketch (see below).



Mr. Utterson’s character gives the reader an idea of how “the good guy” is portrayed within the story line. The reader subconsciously uses his character as a kind of standard to determine the difference between the heros and the villains. Cam Kennedy has a good understanding of the use of unveiling within this plot line. The reader is made aware of both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde through out the comic, as we know that Dr. Jekyll represents good whilst Mr. Hyde represents evil. However, we don’t realize that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are in fact one in the same person until the very end of the story. Dr Jekyll’s character in the beginning of the comic, somewhat resembles the human qualities of Mr. Utterson, but as the story progresses, his character sketch changes and becomes more detailed. The changes are subtle at first, as not to give away the conclusion of the story, but they are noticeable enough to effect the reader and evoke a sense of suspicion. Kennedy chooses to darken the color of Dr. Jekyll’s skin and create larger bags underneath his eyes as the story advances. These physical changes reflect the development of inner conflict within Dr. Jykell as he turns into Mr. Hyde. When this transformation is complete, Dr. Jekyll disappears and Mr. Hyde takes over. Kennedy completely juxtaposes Dr. Jekyll’s character by giving Mr. Hyde almost animal like features. His teeth become grotesque and crooked, his eyes widened and glassy, he is hunched over to almost half his size and his face appears to be covered in hair reminiscent of a werewolf. These details take away the readers ability to identify with the character as a familiar human being, and forces them to see the fictitious character of Mr Hyde as Grant and Kennedy intend him to be seen. McCloud says“...while most characters were designed simply to assist in reader-identification, other characters were drawn more realistically in order to objectify them, emphasizing their “otherness” from the reader.” (44, McCloud) This transformation is most effectively implemented here because even though the reader is used to seeing both characters throughout the comic, they are still shocked to find out that these two completely different beings could be the same person. One ends up forgetting the vaguely drawn face of Dr Jekyll all together, in place of the mutant face of Mr. Hyde.

-Dr. Jekyll in the beginning. -Struggle between Jekyll and Hyde. -Mr. Hyde.

Comic books, as McCloud explains, are very different from other forms of media in that they heavily rely on the participation of the reader to fill in the blanks of the story line(67,McCloud). In this comic, Kennedy uses recognizable figures in the background of some of his story boards to familiarize the reader with the setting. Once he has established where the events take place, Kennedy then backs his scenes with either a dreary color wash or no background at all. This technique allows the reader to “fill in the blanks” themselves, which means they can relate to the scene as they wish based on their own views and life experiences. This technique is called “viewer identification” (42, McCloud), and it is especially important in comics because the audience is often comprised of a large range of ages. By maintaining a slight vagueness within the scenes, Kennedy is ensuring that many different levels of intellect can understand and appreciate what is happening in the story line. When the reader is forced to use their imagination to flesh out the story, there is a sense of interaction with the text which reinforces the reader’s comprehension and strengthens their overall reading experience.

As discussed above, “every act committed to paper by the comic’s artist is aided and abetted by a silent accomplice. An equal partner in crime known as the reader.” (68, McCloud). This is especially true when it comes to action sequences within a comic. When creating action sequences, the illustrator is presented with the daunting task of creating movement through a short series of still images. In order to do so effectively, the illustrator must be very particular in the moments of action he or she chooses to reveal. Kennedy illustrates action effectively however, he is not the only one responsible for creating these moments. It is also up to the reader to fill in the blanks of time between the images presented, in order to get the full effect of an action sequence. Within “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, there are a few scenes where Mr. Hyde violently attacks various people, as in the scene exemplified below. McCloud once said, “to kill a man between panels is to condemn him to a thousand deaths.” (69,McCloud). This is exemplified here for the gaps in time leave this murder scene open to much interpretation from the reader. We don’t know how many times Mr. Hyde struck this man, where he struck this man, what words were exchanged or if anyone besides the maid had witnessed this attack. These are all details that we create in our heads, //individually.// Therefore this poor man truly did die a thousand deaths, for he was subject to the many different ways we as readers imagined this attack happening. In conclusion, the comic book is much unlike any other medium out there. It is wonderfully interactive, open for interpretation and endlessly relevant to many different age groups. After an in depth comparison between the concepts taught in Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics” and Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy’s “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, it is apparent that the most relevant aspect of the comic book experience, is the important role the reader plays. Yes, story line, text and illustrations are all major components in creating the user experience of the comic book however, after careful contemplation and in depth analysis of both texts, it seems as though there is an equal partnership between, writer, illustrator and reader. Each of these three parties holds key responsibilities that complete the comic book experience. If one doesn’t perform their duty, the whole experience is negatively impacted. The reader is responsible for taking the materials presented to them from the author and illustrator and fill in the gaps in plot settings and action sequences according to their own experiences and opinions. These elements along with the readers ability to identify with the different characters in a story, create the personal experience that is reading a comic book.

Works Cited Grant, Alan, Cam Kennedy, and Robert Louis Stevenson. //Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde//. Toronto: Tundra, 2008. Print.

McCloud, Scott. //Understanding Comics: the Invisible Art//. New York: HarperPerennial, 1994. Print.