This web-comic, entitled "Cyanide and Happiness" is a very effective mode of communication, especially when the subject is humorous. The comic format allows the use of words and images in tandem in order to make a point or pull off a punchline to a joke. In addition, the stick figures used make the situations more "comical", so to speak.As mentioned previously, the comic is drawn in stick-figure format with often blank backgrounds that usually focus on two characters. The two focal characters are usually dressed in differently colored shirts, which often change, and seldom are their names given.
When the comic is translated into simple writing, some gags simply lose their humor. For example, in the comic above, were it a simple piece of writing, would lose some of the comedic value if the nakedness of the second character described. The comic format helps to bring out the charm and humor in the depicted jokes, and gets the point across fairly efficiently.
Translation: (dialogue)
Man #1 "Man, I need some help"
Man #1 "You know Mike, from the gym"?
Man #1 "well, he caught me with Tracey last night"
Man #1 "and as soon as Rachel finds out......" *pauses*
A few seconds later......
Man #1 "Are you naked"???
Man #2 "Yep"
It is plain to see that, since the fact that the second man was naked during the entire scene, the punchline loses quite a bit of its potency. In addition, it simply is not as funny when it has to be explained and/or described.
Cyanide & Happiness - oh dear! Haha, very good choice. This is definitely the type of punchline that works best in comic form. Good analysis of the medium and how the joke gets lost in translation.
ReplyDeleteSome questions: What is it, exactly, about how the joke is presented in the comic actually makes it funny? (think about why it DOESN'T work in written dialogue form). Why is it no longer funny when you have to describe the nakedness of the second guy? Are there some types of jokes that actually work BETTER in written form? How does this understanding help you in your writing, including serious writing?
You can answer these questions in your notebook journal, and I'll read them when I take up the journals :)
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