Comics essays

Comics essays Comic books or "funny books" have been around since the late 1800's and have since become one of the world's most famous sources of comic relief, imagination, and creativity. Because comic books are collectors items, many people attend comic book conventions, and try to get that oh so prized comic of all comics. Usually an early issue, (the closest to the first volume; first printing the better) or an issue that reveals something important in the storyline. (Usually the introduction of a new character, or the revealing of a popular characters true secret identity.) And where would the readers be without the writers, pencilers, inkers, and everyone else that is involved in the production of our reading delight? Probably not very far. Many people pick up a comic and don't think about where and how every thing was put together. Many people overlook the process that is the backbone of the comic industry. Comic book production has many steps and this paper will address the pre-press par t of the production process. The first step in making a comic book is generation. This is when the characters, storyline, background, and entire universe of the comic are on the drawing board. At this stage of the game just about any thing is changeable, deletable, insufficient, or too much. In my past experience many of the elements of the story mature alongside each other. Many people start with character generation. This includes some very primitive thumbnail sketches of the main character(s) and their powers. The key to good characters and good storyline is the continual amount of practice drawings and thought put into the comic. The storyline will grow and mature around the characters powers, goals for the future, enemies and many other factors revolving around the characters lives inside the comic world (background). The background of the comic book is where everything is taking place. An example of this would be Batman fighting crime in Got...

Frank Lloyd Wrights Plan for a Fireproof House

Frank Lloyd Wright's Plan for a Fireproof House Perhaps it was the 1906 earthquake and great fire in San Francisco that eventually inspired Frank Lloyd Wrights April 1907 Ladies Home Journal (LHJ) article, A Fireproof House for $5000. Dutch-born Edward Bok, LHJ editor-in-chief from 1889 to 1919, saw great promise in Wrights early designs. In 1901 Bok published Wrights plans for A Home in a Prairie Town and A Small House with Lots of Room in It. The articles, including the fireproof house, included sketches and floor plans designed exclusively for the LHJ. Its no wonder that the journal was the first magazine in the world to have one million subscribers. The design for the fireproof house is very Wright- simple and modern, somewhere between Prairie style and Usonian. By 1910 Wright was comparing what he called the concrete house of The Ladies Home Journal with his other flat-roofed, concrete projects, including Unity Temple. Characteristics of Wrights 1907 Fireproof House Simple Design: The floor plan shows a typical American Foursquare, popular at the time. With four sides of equal dimensions, concrete forms could be made once and used four times. To give the house visual width or depth, a simple trellis has been added, extending from the entrance. Center stairs near the entrance provide easy access to all parts of the house. This house is designed with no attic, but includes a dry, well-lighted basement storeroom. Concrete Construction: Wright was a great promoter of reinforced concrete construction- especially as it became more affordable for homeowners. Changing industrial conditions have brought reenforced concrete construction within the reach of the average home-maker, Wright claims in the article. The steel and masonry material provides not only fire protection, but also protection from dampness, heat, and cold. A structure of this type is more enduring than if carved intact from solid stone, for it is not only a masonry monolith but interlaced with steel fibres as well. For those unfamiliar with the process of working with this building material, Wright described that you make the forms using narrow flooring smoothed on the side toward the concrete and oiled. This would make the surface smooth. Wright wrote: In the composition of the concrete for the outside walls only finely-screened birds-eye gravel is used with cement enough added to fill the voids. This mixture is put into the boxes quite dry and tamped. When the forms are removed the outside is washed with a solution of hydrochloric acid, which cuts the cement from the outer face of the pebbles, and the whole surface glistens like a piece of grey granite. Flat, Concrete Slab Roof: The walls, floors and roof of this house, writes Wright, are monolithic casting, formed in the usual manner by means of wooden, false work, the chimney at the centre carrying, like a huge post, the central load of floor and roof construction. Five-inch thick reinforced gravel concrete creates fireproof floors and a roof slab that overhangs to protect the walls. The roof is treated with tar and gravel and  angled to drain not over the cold edges of the house, but into a downspout near the winter-warm center chimney. Closable Eaves: Wright explains that To afford further protection to the second-story rooms from the heat of the sun a false ceiling is provided of plastered metal lath hanging eight inches below the bottom of the roof slab, leaving a circulating air space above, exhausted to the large open space in the centre of the chimney. Controlling the air circulation in this space (by a simple device reached from the second-story windows) is a familiar system used today in fire-prone areas- left open in summer and closed in winter and for protection from blowing embers. Plaster Interior Walls: All the interior partitions are of metal lath plastered both sides, writes Wright, or of three-inch tile set upon the floor slabs after the reinforced concrete construction is complete. After coating the inside surfaces of the outside concrete walls with a non-conducting paint, or lining them with a plaster-board, the whole is plastered two coats with a rough sand finish. The interior is trimmed with light wood strips nailed to small, porous terra-cotta blocks, which are set into the forms at the proper points before the forms are filled with the concrete. Metal Windows: Wrights design for a fireproof house includes casement windows, swinging outward....The outer sash might at no very great additional expense be made of metal. Minimal Landscaping: Frank Lloyd Wright fully believed that his design could stand on its own. As an added grace in summer foliage and flowers are arranged for as a decorative feature of the design, the only ornamentation. In winter the building is well proportioned and complete without them. Known Examples of Frank Lloyd Wright Fireproof Houses 1908: Stockman Museum, Mason City, Iowa1915: Edmund F. Brigham House, Glencoe, Illinois1915: Emil Bach House, Chicago, Illinois Resources and Further Reading Edward Bok, Bok Tower Gardens National Historic Landmark website Frank Lloyd Wright On Architecture: Selected Writings (1894-1940), Frederick Gutheim, ed., Grossets Universal Library, 1941, p. 75 A Fireproof House for $5000, by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ladies Home Journal, April 1907, p. 24. A copy of the article was on the website of the Stockman House Museum, River City Society for Historic Preservation, Mason City, IA at www.stockmanhouse.org/lhj.html [accessed August 20, 2012]Visit the Emil Bach House at gowright.org/visit/bachhouse.html, Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation TrustGlencoes Notable Architecture, The Village of Glencoe; Antique Home Style has reproduced A Fireproof House for $5000 [accessed October 5, 2013]

Marketing Strategy of Vodafone Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Marketing Strategy of Vodafone - Research Paper Example Strategies of an organization should well be able to detail themselves as per the needs of the environment while planning for the future. A framework for any program can well be preferred if it is deeply affinitive to the generalization of a venture or enterprise keeping in mind the quality of methodizing. The one concept firmly oriented towards the creation of values for its customers will conclude with excellence in the target market. Vodafone uses its familiar red logo and retains themes of togetherness, fashion joy, and enjoyment throughout its marketing communications. The same uniformity is maintained and followed by Fanta, Microsoft, Nike, Sony and host of other companies. What should be the rationale behind this Is it for fun Integrated marketing communications see the elements of the communications mix 'integrated' into a coherent whole. As the fight of market shares and a quest for product success continue, marketers are employing all the necessary tactics, and methods to g ive their product a breakthrough, or remain competitive (Brennan, Baines, and Garneau, 2003, Rowley J 2004). One way of doing this is through differentiation, making your product outstanding, by having your values and image (Zineldin M., and Philipson S., 2007). This is known as the marketing communications mix and forms the basis of marketing (Pelsmacher& Kitchen., 2005) This paper examined the importance of marketing to Vodafone, it current and future market challenges using certain analytical tools and models. Part one of the paper lay emphasis on these models while part three looks at the resources and capabilities that distinguished Vodafone from its competitors.     The PESTEL framework can only be used to look at the future impact of environmental factors and that this impact might be different from the past. Thus an understanding of how the factors in the above framework may drive change is only a starting point1.There is a need for an understanding of the key change dri vers and this will be explained below. Looking at the PESTEL framework shown above one can observe that the Vodafone is affected by all the environmental factors in the framework. Under political factors, Vodafone is affected by both taxation and social welfare policies.

Jackson County Judges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Jackson County Judges - Essay Example This study requires us to determine the probabilities of a case being appealed and reversed and the results have been tabulated as shown in the results. The judges will then be ranked in the order of their performance. This will be achieved through the application of skills in probability and excel spreadsheets. Based on common pleas, Judge Judith J. Gische was ranked the best as she had the least probabiliy of her cases being appealed or reversed. On the other hand, Judge Richard T. Andrias was ranked the poorest performer at position 16 as he had the highest probability of his cases being appealed or reversed. The Number of judges handling the municipal cases were quite many and Judge Richard T. Andrias was ranked the best among them with the lowest probability of cases being appealed while Judge Angela M. Mazzarelli was ranked as the worst performer at position 20 with the highest probability of cases being either appealed or reversed. We can conclude that the main objective of this study was achieved and the probabilities of each possible outcome were determined and the judges ranked based on their performance. These statistics are of particular importance especially in awarding promotion to judges which will be based on their performance which reflects their decision making capabilities. The best performing judge handling the common pleas was Judge Judith J. Gische, in the domestic courts, judge William E. McCarthy was the best and in the municipal courts, Richard T. Andrias was ranked the best

Romeo and Juliet - Lurhman and Zeffreli Comparison Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Juliet Lurhman and Zeffreli Comparison Essay Romeo and Juliet. Over the past 500 years there have been numerous adaptations for stage, musicals and films based and interpreted from the original tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet. Written by Shakespeare in 1500’s and Juliet is undeniably Shakespeare’s most successful and well known play. The tragic story line filled with unfortunate events and heartbreaks are something that appealed to the Elizabethan era audience. The two most well known movie interpretations would have to be the version done by Baz Luherman and Zeherelli. Zeffireli’s version of Romeo and Juliet was a very traditional one and was set in Verona where the original play was located. It was written and directed by Franco Zeffireli and starred Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. Released in 1968 the film was the most financially successful film made up to that time because of the young teenage audience it had attracted. Although it may not be appealing to the teenagers in this century. It followed the Original storyline very clearly and the costumes were very much like those it the time it was made. Baz Luherman;s version of Romeo + Juliet and starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes was a modernization of William Shakespeare’s play. It still had the original Shakespearean dialogue but the Montague’s and Capulet’s were represented as opposing business empires. Very much unlike the original storyline there were guns, cars, and very modern sense of clothing. Filmed in Mexico and Miami It was set in the fictional Verona Beach. This was a very successful version of the story and many viewers around the world loved the great difference in the interpretation. This film was released in 1996 and grossed $11. 1 million in its opening week, ranking #1 at the box office. Act 1 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet is a very essential part in understanding the tragedy of the story. It is where they first meet and fall in love at the Capulet’s masquerade ball. Towards to the end of the scene they realize their love would not be allowed because of the history of their feuding families. Juliet being a Capulet and Romeo being a Montague creates confusion and disbelief for the audience. In my opinion the film that portrays this in a better way is Luhermans version. Compared to Zeferellhis traditional movie it keeps the audience interested in what is happening. Some things that contribute to this is the mi –sen –scene music, lighting, camera angles and costumes. The music in Zeherellis movie is very traditional, when Romeo and Juliet meet eyes for the first time in the movie the music becomes soft and sweet, the typical love-song music of Shakespeares time. The setting is at Capulets masquarde ball and in an old castle made from stone and has candle lit lighting. Just like the music, lighting and location the costumes stay very true to the Elizabethan era. There is not much of a variety in the camera angles and it usually focuses on the actors facial expression. This movie would have been more of what Shakespeare intended. Luhermans version on the other hand has a very different atmosphere. This modernized adaptation has much more up tempo and disco music. Although when Romeo and Juliet first meet the slow song ‘Kissing you’ is playing in the background adding an addition of romance to the scene. The lyrics reflect their relationship and is ended with the kissing. The setting is very modern and instead of a masquerade ball there is a costume party. The start of this scene is very upbeat and lively. The lighting is much brighter than Zeherelli’s version and at the beginning there is flashing lights. Luherman was more experimental with his camera angles using medium shots, long shots, tilted angles, and spinning effects making the audience feel more involved in the scene. These two movies have given more of a great depth to the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet without taking away the beauty of the language. In my opinion Baz Luherman was more successful in appealing his movie to the audience of Australia. It’s was easily more relatable than the older 1968 Franco Zeherelli movie. However he did a great job creating a movie just the wal William Shaksepare would have intende however along with most people of my age I enjoyed and found the Luherman version more enetertainging.

Alzheimers Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Essays

Alzheimer’s Disease   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes a steady decline in memory. This results in dementia, which is loss of intellectual functions severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting ten percent of people over 65 years old, and nearly 50 percent of those age 85 or older. My grandmother was diagnosed with â€Å"probable† Alzheimer’s disease over two years ago. After finding this out, I wanted to know more about this particular disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alzheimer’s disease usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events and to have difficulty performing familiar tasks. How rapidly the disease advances varies from person to person. Communication becomes difficult as the person with Alzheimer’s struggles to find words, finish thoughts, or follow directions. Eventually, people with Alzheimer’s become totally unable to care for themselves. My grandma is very close to this point.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientists are still not for certain what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that the central problem is malfunction and death of nerve cells, but scientists are still working to learn why this happens. Key areas of study focus on biochemical processes and pathways in nerve cells, effects of inflammation, and the influence of genes. Many experts believe that it usually arises form a complex combination of factors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor f... Alzheimer's Disease Essay -- Alzheimer's Disease Essays Alzheimer’s Disease   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes a steady decline in memory. This results in dementia, which is loss of intellectual functions severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting ten percent of people over 65 years old, and nearly 50 percent of those age 85 or older. My grandmother was diagnosed with â€Å"probable† Alzheimer’s disease over two years ago. After finding this out, I wanted to know more about this particular disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alzheimer’s disease usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events and to have difficulty performing familiar tasks. How rapidly the disease advances varies from person to person. Communication becomes difficult as the person with Alzheimer’s struggles to find words, finish thoughts, or follow directions. Eventually, people with Alzheimer’s become totally unable to care for themselves. My grandma is very close to this point.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientists are still not for certain what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that the central problem is malfunction and death of nerve cells, but scientists are still working to learn why this happens. Key areas of study focus on biochemical processes and pathways in nerve cells, effects of inflammation, and the influence of genes. Many experts believe that it usually arises form a complex combination of factors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor f...

Belief Systems: Personality Effects

There are many ways in which belief systems affect the personality of individuals, however, the most overarching and poignant way is the ability or lack of ability of a person to gravitate towards hope and figuring out personal solutions. Unfortunately, there are many people who believe that they are not able to make positive changes in their lives, and these individuals become stuck in cycles of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors (Metcalf & O'Hanlon, 2008). They believe that there are no solutions or actions which can be taken personally to help remedy and positively alter their own lives.In these types of situations, people can become prone to destructive thoughts and behaviors which impede their own life functioning and sometimes also the lives of people in their environment. Destructive behaviors which are linked to negative thinking are physical, observable signs that people’s belief systems are faithless and contributing to their own demise. Some people may demonstrate a signal to others that they possess the lack of believing in the value of self control when they decide to discipline their children through spanking, an antisocial and abusive behavior.Another example of damaging thought is the belief that men do not need to support women through childbirth and raising children, contributing to male narcissism and also to woman and child deprivation of care and finances (Sklare, 2004). It makes sense for people who are stuck in cycles of harm and abuse to help to pull themselves out and to heal their harmful personalities by positively changing the ways in which they think and act. There are many ways in which people’s negative thinking in regard to formulating their belief systems disrupts the relationship of self with self and the relationship of self with others.It is important for people to find hope in their everyday thoughts and actions which lends to the bettering of their own lives and the lives of people in their environment. Life a nd development is only positive, its opposite being death and destruction, and focusing on the paths to workable solutions is the best way for people’s beliefs to contribute to their surviving and thriving, to their characters, even under difficult circumstances. References Metcalf, L. & O'Hanlon, B. (2008). Counseling Toward Solutions. John Wiley and Sons. Sklare, G. (2004). Brief Counseling That Works. Corwin Pre