Contrast of Comics: Above Water and Over, Under, Sideways, Down

This essay provides a detailed comparison and contrast of Karrie Fransman's comics, specifically focusing on 'Above Water' and 'Over, Under, Sideways, Down.' The essay analyzes the power of comics as a medium for conveying complex ideas and emotions, examining how Fransman utilizes visual storytelling to address societal issues and personal struggles. The analysis draws upon McCloud's theories of comics to explore the integration of images and text, the representation of human emotion, and the creation of narrative settings. The essay highlights the thematic similarities and differences between the two comics, including the portrayal of teenage experiences, refugee stories, and the importance of support systems. Furthermore, it explores Fransman's artistic techniques, such as her use of panels, visual metaphors, and character development, to create compelling narratives that resonate with readers and encourage a deeper understanding of the world. The essay emphasizes the unique ability of comics to communicate powerful messages and evoke emotional responses, showcasing Fransman's skill in shedding light on serious issues and fostering a broader worldview.

Running head: ENGLISH
Student Name
Professor Baker
GNED 1404
April 11th, 2020
Contrast between “Above Water” and “Over, Under, Sideways, Down”
Introduction
Question: Compare OR contrast Fransman, “Above Water” and “Over, Under, Sideways,
Down”. When she introduces “Over, Under, Sideways, Down,” Fransman calls it “one of the
most difficult comics I have ever drawn” (8:21-8:31) and the protagonist of that story “one of the
most remarkable teenagers I had ever met” (11:25- 11:36). Compare OR contrast these two
graphic narratives, engaging with Fransman’s video and relying on McCloud when analyzing
images. Make sure you dig below the surface to find themes or ideas (recall from McCloud,
Chapter 7) that may be important to the author or authors
Basic Ideas: The power of Comics shall be discussed. The graphical representation of Above
Water and Over, Under, Sideways and Down are great depictions which sends across important

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messages in one the readers. Comics are very powerful to translate thoughts in the mind of the
authors with the employment if very few words and sometimes no word at all. Comics are great
mediums for communication in the world, which is used by the Comic Artist Karrie Fransman.
Thesis: The Thesis of the paper is to contrast two Comics by Karrie Fransman, the Comic Artist,
who believes that Comical representations can depict not to easily conceivable ideas in the
simplest manner. The artist expresses how it was one of the most difficult representations she
created, and in this paper, the use of the comic medium shall be evaluated by drawing a
comparison between the comics Above Water and Over, Under, Sideways and Down
Category of Evidence 1:
Comics integrate the differences which exist within the society.
 Karrie Fransman, expresses how Comics should be understood with much seriousness
(Karriefransman.com). There are underlying meanings in the representation while it can
be created anyone, who is enthusiastic about the medium and has the zeal.
 Comics have always been a great tool, for depicting something, which is not easily
conveyed with the usage of words. The artists can make use of very little or no words for
their representation and yet send out very potent ideas.
 Comics are very important to point out flaws and follies of the society, in the most
profound manner, without having to employ words in the instance. There are great
divisions within the society but the representation of the same can help integrate the
classes, as well as bring out the differences which exist within the society, which, as a
theme, is very stark in her Comic Above Water and Over, Under, Sideways and Down
(Karriefransman.com).

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 Fransman was approached by the British Red Cross, to depict the extraordinary story of a
Refugee, which, somehow is the story of millions of refugees across the world and she
fought with herself to understand how she could do justice to the experiences of Refugees
and yet send across a story, as unsettling as of the lives of the Refugees, to the readers
(Karriefransman.com).
 On the other hand, Above Water, too, is a moving piece of comics, which can be related
to, by many teenagers and children, while they struggle to find and embrace their own
self, while going through disrespectful treatment through the years of their growing up,
which shape their identity and even make them go through trauma. The battle is very
personal, which Freeman has presented in the Comic with the help of the characters
Karly and the sport which allows to find courage and shelter, Melody.
Category of Evidence 2:
Artist Frasman expresses that it was a struggle to do justice to the story of Ebrahim.
 Over, Under, Sideways and Down is one of the most difficult representations she has ever
created. The lives of the millions of refugees, across the globe are very shattering as they
are compelled to live this life and bear courage to face all the difficulties which lie ahead
in their lives. Sometimes, they even leave their home and family because they are the
victims of their own reality.
 Ebrahim has seen loss and trouble all his life and even was shot while he was as young as
a 6 years old child. He, for all the dangers that waited in his native country Iran, had to
leave as he was exiled just to find shelter and security to live, in the hostile world. It
resonates the harrowing experiences which each refugee goes through.

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 For the artist, it is very important to send across the right message and to get Ebrahim’s
story, like several others be heard. Fransman has provided voice to the voiceless which
allows people to develop a stronger and aware understanding of the lives of the refugees
across the globe and the evil forces of oppression which they are subjected to, which even
creates their identity.
 The terror of having been exposed to violence from such an early age have been
understood by Fransman by paying great details to the plight of Ebrahim, which is
symbolic of others, who are fighting the same battle and are called refugees.
Category Evidence 3:
Fransman points out the power of mighty pen and creativity, as can be employed in
Comics.
 In Above Water too, Fransman employs objectivity to depict the crisis of the teenagers to
fight against the forces which try to suppress them. There are several teenagers and
children across the world, who wish to get heard but only contain their emotions to
themselves. They struggle to embrace their aspirations while growing up, while their
growth itself is shunned by their parents, while they cannot openly address their struggle
of being disrespected.
 Life for Karly, in Above Water was difficult while she was at home, as she was made to
feel miserable about herself and self-worth. She was subjected to abuses, which she was
unable to express and speak out openly, but what aided support to fight the tormenting
experiences what her friend Melody, the support every child, every teenager needs, while
growing up and learning about the world which is not quite known.

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 Melody and Karly ensured that they do not drown in the sorrows and turmoil which they
experienced at their homes and gather courage to fight them to come out victorious and
embrace their dreams. Even while Karly had to escape from her home, to find shelter at
Melody’s home before, that too became a nightmarish.
 Fransman has depicted the horrors of childhood, in the most profound manner to
highlight the struggles faced by children, which they often cannot speak about, but live
with. Many kids and young adults end their own lives as they tirelessly try to cope up
with their battles while their values are belittled and abused. Those kids and teenagers are
shown that there lies a world ahead, which has to be braved through, as Melody and
Karly do by pulling each other out of the water while they downed. The artist also point
out how important it is to have support to fight odds in such tormenting situations in life,
when one struggles to find light by pointing out how psychologists and counsellors can
help children overcome their trauma.
Category Evidence 4:
Creativity, Artistic Fervor and elements used in the Comic playa very important role to
create setting and narrative.
 It is very important to create a time frame through the Comic, which tells the story
convincingly as the readers while the readers have an understanding of the events which
go in the story. Fransman does it by paying attention to the nuances, which is far more
moving in Over, Under, Sideways and Down as the narrative provides account of every
significant occurring which has created his identity and understanding of himself in this
hostile world which has created a sequential art (McCloud, Scott, and Manning).

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 The visuals of Comics play a very important role to set the narrative with the usage of as
less words as possible. The stories have been accentuated even more as Fransman
maintains the six steps to Comics of having a clear idea and purpose, form, use of idioms,
making a structure, creating the craft well and lastly adding surface to the story.
Conclusion
It can thus be said that, Fransman’s works are very powerful as she intends to depict very
important events through her work. Comics, she believes has the power to send across very
pertinent messages, as she does in Above Water and Over, Under, Sideways and Down as she
hauntingly, yet beautifully create stories which the audience need to learn about to understand
the world better and develop a world view, through the representations of the artist, as she sheds
light on very serious issues.

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References
McCloud, Scott, and A. D. Manning. "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art." IEEE
Transactions on Professional Communications 41.1 (1998): 66-69.
Karriefransman.com. "Karrie Fransman's Comics And Visual Storytelling » Tedx Comic
Talk". Karriefransman.Com, 2020, https://www.karriefransman.com/project/115/.