Early Writing Systems and Comic Books

One of the earliest forms of writing is believed to have been created by the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia, the land from which all recorded history is believed to have originated. Pictograms were carved on stone tablets to relay messages between Sumerians, or to record information. In modern day New York City, every corner, street, and sewer tunnel is covered in words and letters. The pictogram, while perhaps a bit passe in those contexts, still thrives in one of many alternative forms: the comic book.

In a sense, comic books do not often contain pictograms. They are mostly written with letters and illustrated. However, the images associated with their accompanying words become like pictograms in the reader’s mind: when Superman appears, he needs no introduction to a familiar reader: he represents Truth, Justice, and Heroism. Wonder Woman, quite powerfully, represents Female Empowerment, Hope, and Honor. The characters of comic books become pictograms unto themselves, their imagery conveying messages to the reader, even sometimes subconsciously.

Early writing differentiates itself, however, in that it lacks the assistance of accompanying written letters and words to aid the viewer in understanding. Instead, it relies upon the spoken word, and what a viewer might see and recognize in their daily life: a hand, a sheaf of wheat, animals and natural landmarks. In this way, the pictograms forgo creativity for maximum legibility.

Overall, I believe modern comic books can be traced back to the origin of writing itself, as humans have always attached themselves to images which speak to them, whether to represent a simple statement or a complex moral standard which the author believes all men should follow.