The Brief

Produce an engaging comic for a British youth magazine addressing a social issue. Select an uplifting narrative of significance. Utilize captivating visuals and engaging dialogue. Ensure the content resonates with young individuals. Discuss themes such as diversity, mental health, or the environment in an inspiring manner to educate and empower the audience.

Character/Story Development

Proposal

Title: The Dark Bear

Synopsis of the plot and narrative structure: The storyline follows a Rat and Rabbit, both are friends but there is a sense of disconnection between them both. Rat has depression but doesn't understand their feelings and how to overcome them alone. Rabbit tries to learn and understand Rat by showing their support and acknowledgement. A grizzly bear represents the depression and heavy feeling that Rat feels. The moral of the story is to show that having support and people around you makes the biggest things seem small and easier.

Genre: Mental Health, Heartwarming

The main character (include name, age, background): Rat, a small simple grey Rat feels an overwhelming pressure which he doesn't understand. Rabbit, a simple grey rabbit who is Bear's closest friend, tries to understand and support him. 

Additional characters (include name, age, background, relationship to narrative and main character): Bear, a simple brown grizzly bear represents Rat's pressure and inner feelings. Racoon is a simple patterned racoon who loves hugs. A friend of Rat. Dog, a standard dog who is a friend of Rat. Sloth, a simple tan sloth who is a friend of Rat. Hamster, a simple hamster who is a friend of Rat.

Target Audience (include age, gender, lifestyle and appeal of the comic): The target demographic I aim to reach is teenage years of all genders and backgrounds who enjoy heartwarming, short yet subliminal storylines that feature a deeper enlightening meaning.

Company: Hampshire County Council 

Final Products

Feedback

'I THINK IT'S ADORABLE. For the target audience, I think it is appropriate, as it discusses very provenance topics that affect teens highly. Also, most typical comics aimed at this age range decide to follow stereotypical storylines such as superheroes, crime and romance. So to have a comic that can be highly relatable and have a great message is rare, and taking the risk was worth it. The style is adorable and suits the message perfectly, it feels very nostalgic like a Beatrix Potter-type short story. The minimal colour used is very effective, and when it is used (on the bear, in supportive scenes) it enhances the emotion and narrative a lot more.'

'Visually, I think the use of negative space is very effective. It helps to draw my attention to the focal point of each panel - and to focus on the storyline itself. The contrast between the minimalistic drawings and the hard-hitting storyline makes it easier to understand the messages behind each illustration. The use of an actual helpline number adds a certain element of depth and meaning to the story - it shows that people are dealing with horrible and uncomfortable situations in real life. The 'splashes' of colour against the white backgrounds bring out life in the characters - making the story seem more realistic.'

Evaluation

My comic explores the serious yet current topics of mental health and depression, however, this is displayed and explained through a light-heated simplified dynamic with a storyline that is in the style of a children's story. The simplified storyline makes the comic easier to understand and also explains depression in a clearer form.

The reader is the key part of the storyline, this is shown through the importance of individuals and interpretations of the characters and illustrations. The characters feature no specification to their genders or how their voices sound and this is purposely done to allow the imagination of the reader to discover the characters themselves. This makes them feel involved and possibly more related to the story, which links to Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

A lot of research has been conducted and considered when producing my comic, for example, the relation between weight and gravity through a science video about reducing gravity (air vacuum) allowing the weight to fall lighter. This is a metaphor in my comic, 'having support makes the heavy depressive thoughts and feelings feel less overwhelming'. Another example of research I have looked into is the relationship between predators and prey compared to students/teenagers, this is evident through the representation of depression being a bear which is a predator to the rat (prey). Rat constantly fears being hunted and targeted when feeling the heavy feelings like teenagers feeling vulnerable within schools when overwhelmed, also worrying about being bullied and watched.

The objects featured in my comic are illustrated clearly and effectively, they are presented in a simplistic form which allows the objects to be recognised. For example, the anvil is quite pointed and rough-edged which are key elements of an anvil. The rope also allows the weight and falling effect to appear realistic and emphasised, the wavy rope shows the uncontrollable motion in a still image.

The signs used within the final panel are quite basic but are still recognisable for their unique signage and this also values the importance of the message being 'YOU are the best!'

The panels and images featured within the occurring storyline are quite related to the previous scene which allows the overall flow to continue across the pages. The narrator's captions also extend and control the flow of the storyline through the use of ellipses. This brings the panels together allowing the readers to understand the structure and reading form as well as reading at their own pace.

Within my comic, I have used a variety of camera shots and perspectives to emphasise emotions and fit the contents well. These shot types are labelled and featured within my storyboard. Ranging between Close-up shots, side views, and overhead views.

As the comic holds a simplistic but child-like appearance, I have used my handwriting in a soft yet simple form to link with the style of the illustrations. The genre and feelings portrayed in the comic are heartwarming and light with the deep topic meaning the font also can be quite resembling.

Though I have used a small amount of speech bubbles, there is still a clear difference between the narrator's captions and the speech from the characters. I have hand-drawn my speech bubbles above the characters with a rounded appearance to emphasise the soft-spoken behaviour towards each other. These speech bubbles remain in the panels with no break of the frames to hold the 4th wall and reality clearer. The narrator's captions break the panel's frame and extend across or below a panel to emphasise the contrast between reality and inner narration within our mind.

A variety of symbols are featured within my comic which resembles emotions and feelings during the moment. Small punctuation marks can be seen to resemble confusion or shock visibly and ensure that the readers are fully aware of the emotions without any suggestions or references. Swirls and stars also represent emotions through the use of the reader's knowledge and interpretation of what it means to them.