Expanding comics theory to account for interactivity: A preliminary study

Abstract

Abstract Comics are a medium distinct from and yet tied to other forms of storytelling. A rich body of theory exists on the nature of the medium, its narrative techniques and the visual language unique to it. In light of the increasing interest in digital interactive technologies, however, there is a need to examine how the current theoretical understanding of comics is complicated by interactivity, as has been studied for other media such as text-based stories and games. This article outlines an exploratory study that introduced interactions, reminiscent of the Quick-Time Events found in games, into a four-panel comic. The results of this study, based on exposure to experimental prototypes, followed by retrospective protocol analysis and qualitative interviews, begin to shed light on various theoretical implications of including interactivity. These include empirical support that the notion of comics as an interconnected multiframe remains valid in the context of interactivity; the relative hierarchy between the iconic image and interactive elements; functions of interactivity within the comic form; the role of challenge; and the role of fluency and learning. These findings highlight possible ways in which the inclusion of interactivity expands current theory regarding the comic form, serving as openings for future theory-building.