Life Matters | Jan 03,2021
In a world where knowledge grows at an unprecedented pace, imagination remains the limitless frontier pushing humanity forward. While knowledge informs us, imagination is what propels us toward innovation, creative expression, and new realms of possibility. Albert Einstein famously remarked, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.”
From ancient myths to modern-day cinema, imagination has given rise to captivating narratives that entertain coupled with insights into humanity’s deepest questions. Comic art, in particular, harnesses this power, creating visual stories that resonate with readers across ages and cultures.
Recently, I had my taste of this world, settling into the comfortable, leather seats of GAST Cinema to watch Joker: Folie à Deux, a highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 movie. I embarked on a drive from Ayat to CMC that I expected to take 15 minutes, but Addis Abeba’s traffic had other plans.
When I finally arrived at the cinema just in time for the opening scene, I was immersed in a world where imagination and psychological complexity collided, with a cold Coke and popcorn.
The cinematic journey reminded me of the many ways storytelling can captivate the mind.
The movie draws on the imaginative lore surrounding the Joker to reveal aspects of humanity usually overshadowed by conventional notions of good and evil. It challenges viewers to question who is “hero” and “villain.”
It explores a character who has fascinated audiences for decades, and it goes into his psychology with remarkable depth. The Joker’s relationship with Lee Quinzel, brought to life by Lady Gaga, added a dynamic layer to his troubled persona. This film, blending elements of psychological thriller and musical, stood out for its stylised portrayal of darkness and empathy. Lady Gaga’s performance, with her haunting voice and captivating expressions, made for an unusual but fitting romantic counterpoint to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, both characters battling personal demons.
Comic characters may have their origins in the U.S. pop culture, but the power of these stories to capture the human psyche is universal. Growing up, I experienced a fascination through “The Adventures of Tintin”, the Belgian comic series that has been cherished globally for nearly a century. A high school friend loaned me these books and I devoured them one after another.
Created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, it was a world filled with unforgettable characters—Tintin, the young, ever-curious reporter; Snowy, his loyal and mischievous dog; the bombastic Captain Haddock; the brilliant eccentric Professor Calculus; and the hilariously inept detectives, Thomson and Thompson. Each had unique traits that brought laughter, adventure, and suspense to Hergé’s narratives. The series introduced me to far-off lands and daring mysteries, fueling my imagination and planting a lifelong love for storytelling.
When my son was around 10 years old, I decided to share the magic of comics with him. I arranged for a friend travelling to India to bring back a few Tintin volumes, as they were not readily available in Addis Abeba. He was delighted to immerse himself in the world, just as I had been. These legally printed editions came at an affordable price, but a decade later, I found that importing the same series had become a costly affair. The entire collection I recently spotted at a bookstore here was priced at 3,000 Br—more than 10 times what I had paid back then. Despite the price, these comics remain treasures, holding the power to enchant young and old alike.
In the years since, I have also introduced my son to Japanese manga, a distinct genre with its captivating qualities. The high-quality illustrations and unique narrative style pulled him in immediately. As he grew older, he began creating his characters, inspired by the art he admired. One day, we were watching a documentary on NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, featuring the legendary manga artist Naoki Urasawa. My son instantly recognised him, exclaiming, “That’s Urasawa!” This revelation surprised me—my son had developed an interest in the techniques and creative processes behind the characters. Like Urasawa, he starts with sketches before transferring his work to digital formats, combining traditional and modern methods to bring his ideas to life.
Comics have a special ability to immerse readers, bringing illustrations and narratives together in a way that neither books nor films quite replicate. Sequential art, the backbone of comics, relies on a series of carefully crafted panels that guide readers through the story, with speech bubbles to capture dialogue, onomatopoeic words to depict sounds, and symbols like lightbulbs to represent ideas. This medium allows readers to pause, reflect, and absorb each frame—a distinct advantage over film, where scenes flow continuously. For comic readers, the experience can be so immersive that they may burst into laughter or become intensely focused, completely absorbed by the story unfolding before them.
The appeal of comics is far-reaching, and it is no surprise that the comic book industry has grown into a global phenomenon. According to Fortune Business Insights, the worldwide comic book market reached 16.06 billion dollars in 2023 and is projected to grow to nearly 27 billion dollars by 2032. The success of franchises like Marvel, valued at 54 billion dollars, and Disney worth triple that, attests to the sheer economic power of this medium. What started as imaginative tales drawn from everyday experiences has become a cultural and economic force, showing that stories rooted in human imagination can connect with audiences everywhere.
Ethiopia’s venture into the comic book world is still young, but with continued support and recognition, it could offer readers vibrant stories, preserving culture while expanding horizons for new generations. We are witnessing the beginnings of a local comic scene that holds immense promise. Etan Comics, founded by Beserat Debebe, is pioneering comic culture by creating characters and stories that resonate with Ethiopian heritage. It offers readers narratives inspired by history and folklore, grounding its characters in familiar settings and experiences. This local endeavour represents a vital step in creating homegrown stories that can educate and entertain Ethiopian youth, sparking an interest in reading and providing a connection to their cultural roots.
Such efforts show that comics could play a larger role in Ethiopia’s cultural space. Introducing Ethiopian folklore, historical legends, and contemporary stories through comic art could provide young readers with engaging, relevant material that resonates with their lives. For instance, traditional Ethiopian hero stories could come alive in comic form, combining vibrant illustrations with meaningful storytelling to make these narratives accessible and memorable for younger generations. I still remember learning biblical lessons as a child through illustrated storybooks, which remain etched in my memory even today.
We do not have to choose between practicality and creativity, comics offer us both—a reminder that sometimes the most imaginative tales are the ones that bring us closer. Ultimately, their success lies in their power to transcend boundaries, capturing the imagination of readers everywhere.
While knowledge builds our understanding, imagination opens doors to worlds both familiar and fantastical, helping us explore themes of heroism, struggle, and human connection.
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 16,2024 [ VOL
25 , NO
1281]
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