The Lexicon of Comicana

The Lexicon of Comicana, published in 1980 by cartoonist Mort Walker, catalogs and names the visual symbols used in comic art. Walker created a systematic vocabulary for these common cartoon elements, dubbing the overall system "symbolia." The book originated from Walker's 1964 article "Let's Get Down to Grawlixes," which introduced terms like "grawlix" (symbols representing profanity) and "plewds" (sweat droplets). These terms gained traction in the cartooning community, prompting Walker to expand his documentation of comic symbolism into a full book. The Lexicon introduces and defines dozens of comic symbols, from "emanata" (lines showing shock) to "agitrons" (shake lines) to "briffits" (dust clouds behind moving objects). Walker's terminology has entered the professional vocabulary of cartoonists and appears in some dictionaries. This reference work represents an important scholarly examination of the visual language of comics, highlighting how cartoonists developed their own universal symbolic shorthand to convey motion, emotion, and sound in a static medium.

Readers appreciate this book as a reference guide for comic art symbols and visual language, though reviews are limited due to its relative obscurity and out-of-print status. Liked: - Clear illustrations of comic symbols and their meanings - Humorous writing style and examples - Historical documentation of comic art techniques - Value as a reference for artists and historians Disliked: - Book's short length - Limited availability and high secondhand prices - Some felt it focused too much on gag comics vs other comic styles Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 reviews) One reader noted: "A fun exploration of the visual shorthand used in comics." Another mentioned: "Great for understanding the vocabulary of motion lines and emotion symbols in cartooning." Most comments come from comic artists and collectors who sought out the book specifically for its technical content.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud A visual exploration of comic art theory breaks down the vocabulary and grammar of sequential storytelling through comic-style illustrations.

The Visual Language of Comics by Neil Cohn This analysis examines the cognitive structure behind reading comics and the patterns that form comic storytelling systems.

Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner The principles and methods of storytelling through comic art receive detailed examination through practical examples and technical breakdowns.

Making Comics by Scott McCloud The mechanics of comic creation unfolds through illustrated explanations of panel transitions, word-picture combinations, and artistic techniques.

Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Jessica Abel A systematic study of comics creation presents the technical vocabulary and fundamental building blocks of the medium through step-by-step instruction.

🌟 Mort Walker created and drew "Beetle Bailey," one of the longest-running comic strips in history, for over 68 years. 🌟 The term "grawlix" (♠#@♣%!) invented in this book is now formally recognized in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. 🌟 Many of Walker's coined terms like "briffits" (dust clouds behind running characters) and "plewds" (sweat droplets) are regularly taught in modern animation schools. 🌟 Before publishing The Lexicon of Comicana in 1980, Walker spent over three decades studying comics from different cultures to develop his universal "symbolia" language. 🌟 The Museum of Cartoon Art, founded by Walker in 1974, used concepts from the book to help catalog and classify its collection of over 200,000 original cartoon artworks.