Communicative features of modern comics

Abstract

The comic strip (Chithrakatha) can be defined as a specific mode of visual communication and a distinct genre within journalism. The satirical traditions of cartoons and caricatures served as the two primary media forms influencing the genesis of the comic strip. In the evolution of local comic strips, three distinct categories can be observed: serialized stories in newspapers, comic books, and newspapers dedicated exclusively to comics. These formats typically utilize captions below frames or speech balloons for narration.

The primary objective of this study is to identify the communicative characteristics of the comic strip, which was once a popular feature in print media. Although the publication of traditional comic strips in print media appears limited today, the research problem investigates how the comic strip has transcended its traditional form and manifested within the modern social media context. The study employs a content analysis of the evolution of the Sri Lankan comic strip from its inception in the 1950s to the present day.

The findings reveal that the proliferation of comic papers in the 1970s and the advent of television in the 1980s were factors contributing to the decline in the popularity of traditional comics. However, despite the shift in form following the arrival of internet media, similar creative expressions remain popular on modern social media platforms. The study discloses that contemporary social media comic creation encompasses communicative features such as simple entertainment, the expression of social contradictions, and the gratification of collective aspirations. It is concluded that the communicative meanings expressed through images and dialogue in these modern formats surpass the traditional comic model, engaging in critical and satirical functions based on contemporary social themes.