Blankets

To start, Craig Thompson's art in this story is not only well drawn but also complements the storytelling. His lively sweeping lines wisp me into his dreams and feelings of love. What I was most impressed with in Blankets were Thompson's visual transitions and transformations. Some transitions are simple, like on page 235 where it goes from TV static, to face stubbles being shaved off, or even on page 233 when I can see Craig's ears go from being filled with the gentle sound of Raina's whispers, to the jarring sound of cereal hitting a bowl. Many of the transitions were also when Craig would drift between thoughts and dreams to reality, a great example of this that also symbolizes what he is feeling, is when he thinks of the drawing of the naked woman that he felt guilty about, then it transforms into Raina when she comes in the room. These are all great examples of how Thompson took full advantage of the graphic novel medium, ideas that just couldn't be expressed quite the same way in a novel or movie.

In the story I think Craig Thompson does a good job of getting across what it's like to struggle with growing up, first love, being an outcast, and questioning things like religion. Though some of it may seem over dramatic, I don't think that makes the story any less valid in showing what he and I'm sure many others similarly went through. Thompson did such a good job getting readers to connect and relate with his character as a boy with his brother and teen with his girl friend and of course transition beautifully between them but I just wish he would have resolved more of what happened with his brother.