--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic…" description: "\"Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the moment, which was the novelist's problem 150 years ago: namely, to take comics from storytelling..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg" --- # Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the… ![“Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the moment, which was the novelist's problem 150 years ago: namely, to take comics from storytelling into that of "writing," the major distinction between the two to me being that the former gives one the facts, but the latter tries to recreate…” quote by Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg) > “Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the moment, which was the novelist's problem 150 years ago: namely, to take comics from storytelling into that of "writing," the major distinction between the two to me being that the former gives one the facts, but the latter tries to recreate the sensation and complexities of life within the fluidity of consciousness and experience. As far as I'm concerned, that's really all I've been trying to do formally for the past decade or more with comics, and it's certainly time-consuming, since it has to be done with drawings, not words.” [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comics face the challenge of moving from simple storytelling to conveying deep, fluid experiences akin to literary writing. **In simple terms:** Comics aim to capture life's complexities. Key Takeaway Focus on depth over simple narrative. Themes art storytelling creative process Mood analytical inquisitive Type artistic educational When to use this quote - graphic novels - creative workshops - educational curricula Key Concepts narrative depth visual language Questions to Reflect On - How can artists blend visuals and narrative effectively? - What techniques deepen emotional impact in comics? A Different Perspective Balancing visual and textual storytelling can be difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comics Certainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics-certainly-1989282/) [Comics Esthetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics-esthetic-3495996/) [Comics Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics-storytelling-3495994/) [Complexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity/) [Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hurdle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurdle/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Storytelling Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling-comics-3495995/) [Storytelling Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling-writing-1610141/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [I think comics in New York are interested in being comics. And there're comics in L.A. who are touring comics, who are certainly more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-black/i-think-comics-in-new-york-are-interested-in-being-comics-and-there/) [Lewis Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-black/) > [That's the type of thing you need to keep in mind when drawing comics. The storytelling. Consider the action and the space available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/that-s-the-type-of-thing-you-need-to-keep-in-mind-when-drawing-comics/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) > [My passion is writing comics and storytelling, and I'm constantly working to improve. I hit my deadlines, I know how to work with and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-larson/my-passion-is-writing-comics-and-storytelling-and-i-m-constantly/) [Hope Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-larson/) > [Our country has the oldest tradition of storytelling, and this was much before writing stories even became a norm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/our-country-has-the-oldest-tradition-of-storytelling-and-this-was/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [All autobiography is storytelling; all writing is autobiography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee-2/all-autobiography-is-storytelling-all-writing-is-autobiography/) [J. M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee-2/) > [“I love storytelling when the writing spins through me like photons on their way to lighting the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kenyon/i-love-storytelling-when-the-writing-spins-through-me-like-photons-on/) [Kay Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kenyon/) > [One of the biggest hurdles in the path of entrepreneurship is home loans!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishwas-mudagal/one-of-the-biggest-hurdles-in-the-path-of-entrepreneurship-is-home/) [Vishwas Mudagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishwas-mudagal/) > [If you hold back in hurdles, you are going to fall over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-pearson/if-you-hold-back-in-hurdles-you-are-going-to-fall-over/) [Sally Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-pearson/) > [Whether I'm trying to figure out what the U.S. military is doing in Latin America or Africa, Afghanistan or Qatar, the response is remarkably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-turse/whether-i-m-trying-to-figure-out-what-the-u-s-military-is-doing-in/) [Nick Turse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-turse/) > [Four of my children are daughters, and I've watched them devote themselves to reading books about how little girls learn to become women -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-massie/four-of-my-children-are-daughters-and-i-ve-watched-them-devote/) [Robert K. Massie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-massie/) > [Trample the weak. Hurdle the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/attila-the-hun/trample-the-weak-hurdle-the-dead/) [Attila the Hun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/attila-the-hun/) > [Getting started as a volunteer anywhere can be a challenge to a lot of people. The biggest hurdle is that people think they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/getting-started-as-a-volunteer-anywhere-can-be-a-challenge-to-a-lot/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [I've been motivated by overcoming challenge and overcoming the hurdles and obstacles that face me. There still is plenty out there to get motivated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/i-ve-been-motivated-by-overcoming-challenge-and-overcoming-the/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [If you're not ready to fall, you're not ready to hurdle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonie-campbell/if-you-re-not-ready-to-fall-you-re-not-ready-to-hurdle/) [Tonie Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonie-campbell/) > [The less obvious hurdle is that of preparing parents emotionally and putting forward realistic images of parenthood and motherhood. There also needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-less-obvious-hurdle-is-that-of-preparing-parents-emotionally-and/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) ## More by Chris Ware > [I don't trust art that promises a 24-hour joyride. In fact, there seems to be a modern sense of entitlement for such constant "ups,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/i-don-t-trust-art-that-promises-a-24-hour-joyride-in-fact-there-seems/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [My grandmother was an unparalleled storyteller who gave me a preview of how life might turn out, and also fortified my empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/my-grandmother-was-an-unparalleled-storyteller-who-gave-me-a-preview/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [Comics, at least in periodical form, exist almost entirely free of any pretense; the critical world of art hardly touches them, and they're 100% personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/comics-at-least-in-periodical-form-exist-almost-entirely-free-of-any/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [I'm only trying to present as honest a portrayal of the grimness of human ambition as I can. I'd hope it's rather uplifting, actually,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/i-m-only-trying-to-present-as-honest-a-portrayal-of-the-grimness-of/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [“Newly Found Sugary Spill: Tastes Like Dried Spit or Old Soda”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/newly-found-sugary-spill-tastes-like-dried-spit-or-old-soda/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [“The whole experience reminded me of my own 'old lady' phase that I went through in high school while I was reading Somerset Maugham...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/the-whole-experience-reminded-me-of-my-own-old-lady-phase-that-i-went/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [I can definitely say that of all my friends who I consider to be really great cartoonists, we're all trying to aim at basically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/i-can-definitely-say-that-of-all-my-friends-who-i-consider-to-be/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [Comics are not a genre, but a developing language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/comics-are-not-a-genre-but-a-developing-language/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [ There's a rhythm to the words combined with the pictures \[in a comic\]. Whenever I'm working on a comic strip I re-read it, probably… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/there-s-a-rhythm-to-the-words-combined-with-the-pictures-in-a-comic/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [There seems to be such a laziness in - and I hate to use this phrase - the modern world. Everything is pumped out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/there-seems-to-be-such-a-laziness-in-and-i-hate-to-use-this-phrase/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [“I guess we all make choices as to how we want to live, right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/i-guess-we-all-make-choices-as-to-how-we-want-to-live-right/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [Fortunately, I'm able to make a living from comics, so I'm privileged enough to be quite choosy, though most cartoonists can't afford to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/fortunately-i-m-able-to-make-a-living-from-comics-so-i-m-privileged/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [“Every city began as a campsite”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/every-city-began-as-a-campsite/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [I think cartooning gets at, and re-creates on the page, some sixth sense ... in a way no other medium can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/i-think-cartooning-gets-at-and-re-creates-on-the-page-some-sixth/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [“This life we endure - how strange, yet how jolly”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/this-life-we-endure-how-strange-yet-how-jolly/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) [Explore all 84 Chris Ware quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) ## More Comic quotes > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I always loved as a kid reading 'Spider-Man,' and the 'Fantastic Four' would show up... it was all about that larger universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-reed/i-always-loved-as-a-kid-reading-spider-man-and-the-fantastic-four/) [Peyton Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-reed/) > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/) [Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/) > [Before World War II, I was living a very cloistered existence, as most cartoonists do. The work I was pouring out did not come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-eisner/before-world-war-ii-i-was-living-a-very-cloistered-existence-as-most/) [Will Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-eisner/) > [If you look at Marvel Comics, there are very few Marvel characters I would like to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/if-you-look-at-marvel-comics-there-are-very-few-marvel-characters-i/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [The big problem for comic art is you don't want to overwork it. If a drawing is overworked it isn't funny. It's the spontaneity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sorel/the-big-problem-for-comic-art-is-you-don-t-want-to-overwork-it-if-a/) [Edward Sorel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sorel/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [I was really into the first 'Spider-Man' films with Tobey Maguire, so it's pretty cool how it all came full circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-batalon/i-was-really-into-the-first-spider-man-films-with-tobey-maguire-so-it/) [Jacob Batalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-batalon/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) [Browse all 5,841 Comic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the moment, which was the novelist's problem 150 years ago: namely, to take comics from storytelling into that of \"writing,\" the major distinction between the two to me being that the former gives one the facts, but the latter tries to recreate the sensation and complexities of life within the fluidity of consciousness and experience. As far as I'm concerned, that's really all I've been trying to do formally for the past decade or more with comics, and it's certainly time-consuming, since it has to be done with drawings, not words.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chris Ware" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-hurdles-at-the-moment-which/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comic" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-hurdles-at-the-moment-which/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/chris-ware-8123_complexity_storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-h_1997408.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic hurdles at the moment, which was the novelist's problem 150 years…” — Chris Ware", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chris Ware", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Storytelling is one of comics' esthetic...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-hurdles-at-the-moment-which/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/storytelling-is-one-of-comics-esthetic-hurdles-at-the-moment-which/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```