While such moments seem to trivialize the attacks--how many people died in that "SHOOM"?--there are many examples of excellent graphic novels of war, tragic events, and political topics. Take, for example, Art Spiegelman's Maus (on the holocaust and the legacy of surviving trauma),
or Joe Sacco's Palestine, among others.
Consider, as well, in the graphic adaptation, the representation of President Bush at the moment of hearing of the attacks,
as compared to Michael Moore's angry version of Bush's response to first hearing of the attacks (scroll to 16:00 or so):
Both representations, arguably, are partial. But what are some of the dangers of making the commission report into a graphic novel, if the graphic novel occasionally trades on larger-than-life depictions of heroism and evil?
Further, what do you make of the depictions of Middle Eastern people--even the ones who are on "our side" (see p. 59, the Jordanian intelligence operative)? Does this form tend to stereotype everyone?
Also does the graphic adaptation do a good job describing the background to what motivated the terrorists (see Chapter 2)? Compare the graphic version to the Commission Report's second chapter.
Given all these potential pitfalls of the graphic version, would you recommend this text? Why, or why not? And with what caveats?
Looking forward to hearing your takes.
Please feel free, also, to weigh in on Susan Sontag's Op-Ed, “Real Battles and Empty Metaphors,” and the further considerations of Jean Bethke Elshtain's arguments in Just War on Terror.
Although the graphic adaptation did seem to keep my interest well, I think it made the events of 9/11 feel slightly fictional while reading. The events of 9/11 and the haunting videos and images are permanently imprinted on my brain, so comic book illustrations and cheesy speech bubbles did not have the same power that my mental recollections have. It is for this reason that I was not too fond of the graphic adaptation. Not only did I feel that most of the illustrations were either unnecessary, or cheesy, but a few of them actually seemed disrespectful to those who lost lives. Along with the referenced "shoom" there were various other "booms" and "blams" that were the sole representations of the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost. The distracting illustrations along with the scattered graphic novel formatting took all of the fluidity away from the events that were being portrayed, giving the reader no real opportunity to sit back and relive the story. Although the graphic novel might be a good method for drawing interest from people that might not normally read the full report, I found it too condensed and simplified. The text only version was a lot easier to follow and was much more fluid in its delivery. I would only recommend the graphic adaptation to audiences too young to handle the more vivid representations like the documentary that we watched in class.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the graphic adaptation of the 9/11 report. I think the graphic adaptation does a good job balancing the difficult details with the stark reality and portrays them for the most part in an effective way. Aside from the cartoonish aspects that might sometimes feel unsuited, the graphic adaptation does a good job of visualizing the attacks and making them feel real. When I was reading through the second chapter of the Commission Report it felt very dry, like a history book almost. I think that the importance of the graphic adaptation is especially for those who didn't experience the attacks, those who aren't old enough to remember them or who weren't even born yet. The graphic adaptation would hopefully be able to make it seem more real, while still providing lots of important information. For those who didn't experience the attacks, I feel that the actual text of the commission report would make the attacks seem like a study of history.
ReplyDeleteOne part of the graphic adaptation that especially stood out to me was the timeline of the four planes. When I was flipping through the pages I felt almost sick to my stomach knowing what was coming next. This is something that I think had a much greater impact visually than simply through text. The second chapter of the commission report does do a better job, because it is more thorough, with explaining the background and motivations of the terrorists and bin Ladin's rise to power.
When we first received the assignment to read the graphic adaptation, I felt enthusiastic about the reading. I immediately decided, without even giving it a chance, that the written text would be too dense and historical to grasp the whole meaning. In retrospect, however, I don't think I gave the full text a fair chance. Once I actually read the second chapter of the real commission report, I felt much more informed than any time when I read the graphic adaptation. While I do understand that the graphic adaptation serves those who would find the full text too dry or factual, I believe that it downplays the actual events, skims over the real facts, and presents too confusing of a scene to understand. With that being said, I would recommend, without a doubt, the written text of the commission report. It may be a harder read, but it definitely is more intellectually rewarding, and as post-traumatic Americans, we deserve to know the whole facts instead of just briefing the most horrific event in our history.
ReplyDeleteThe graphic adaptation of the 9/11 report allowed me to really delve into the events that took place on that tragic day. Although, I do agree with Tim on how the adaptation can never "live up" to the traumatic images we all have seen. The whole aspect of the "SHOOOM" and what really happened at that instant does not go over well with me. The cartoons did grasp my attention, which is difficult, and allowed me to read the book in one sitting and enjoy it. This book would be useful to people who did not experience 9/11 and want to understand the horrors surrounding it. Thus, this is where the pictures come in, they would be able to read the facts and see the trauma. Yes, the commission report is more thorough and accurate, but what first time learner would want to read something comparable to a bland history book. I am not saying that he or she should not read the report, just saying that they should possibly think about reading it second.
ReplyDeletethe graphic adaptation of the 911 report allows the reader to really visualize the events leading up to that day. its may be seen by some as insensitive towards the victims with the comic book style that the authors used to aid in visualizing the events. this graphic adaptation though is fairly easy to read and provides much of the same knowledge in a smoother, vibrant medium witch is more condusive to retaining information
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the graphic adaptation for reasons that I've already mentioned in class. I think it takes a very tough topic to digest, and it sort of transforms it into something manageable. I agree that the cartoonish aspects sometimes feel inappropriate, but those same cartoons are what gives the mind a break and lets you process what you're reading. For me, history is very tough to get through, but this piece of history is presented in such a way that my attention was held. The graphic adaptation is even more effective because you get lost in it, like a story, but then have those moments of crippling reality where you think, "Wait, this actually happened. This isn't an action movie. This is real." There is still all the important information there, just presented in an easier way.
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassingly, I didn't realize that all four planes went down on the same day. I was pretty young when it happened and I remember digesting little pieces of the events over the span of weeks. I didn't realize until I saw the timeline clearly laid out in the graphic how close all the events were.
Particularly for the people like me out there- who have the attention span of birds and like bright colors- this graphic novel is exceedingly helpful.
I would not recommend this. Though I do concede that it is an easy starting place for someone with adhd the pictures, panels, and pages distract way too much from the information, and that's what it is, information, pure data. Unlike the other graphic novels which also tell stories. Plus, the abridged form leaves a lot out.
ReplyDelete