Moving Pictures, Paul Petty

1. Analyze: Idea – Primary

So I realize Aileen has already made statements about this comic as having the idea secondary. I disagree with that statement. After reading this graphic novel, the only thing I could grasp from it was that an idea was being expressed. Any story, or plot, that was being told was secondary. There was hardly any clear closure in the end. The relationships between the characters seemed to be more important the characters themselves. I believe that to be the real idea behind “Moving Pictures”. This non-linear narrative focused on memories and attachment, or lack thereof. The artwork was used as a tangible example of something that preserved memories and held strong importance to the protagonist. The bad guys were destroying that connection, and failed to truly appreciate the significance of the art they were stealing. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Visual image and the story’s character development of this comic took a much more simplistic position in the background.

2. Rating: PG-13

There’s an F word, and an adult theme of sleeping around casually with other people. It’s not in your face though, so it stays at a teenage level and up for readers.

3. Springboard: Springboard

Art history must have been studied to a degree by the creators of this comic. I looked up some information on the Nazi plunder. Apparently there really was much artwork stolen by the Nazis. As I looked up information, there was a connection to Hitler’s past that I was familiar, but never made the connection. He was rejected from Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. Hitler thought he was some sort of connoisseur of the arts. And as a dictator with a chip on his shoulder, I can imagine that ruining other people’s experience with art to be somewhat of a priority during his conquest. For the record, Hitler’s a lousy artist.