Simplified Characters Make for Empathetic Audiences

Mainstream comics theory suggests that comics and animated cartoons have a universal appeal, due largely to the simplified visual nature of the characters. A common argument is that a sense of general featural placement in own-face recognition allows a reader to empathize with simplified, schematic faces. The majority of the basis of this understanding is grounded in literary theory much more than scientific literature. In order to test this theory several popular comics are examined and then scrutinized in the light of recent developments in the field of face perception. A close look is taken at recent research into schematic faces, in-group and out-group facial perception, and the uncanny valley. Interestingly, contemporary psychology research, in general, appears supportive of the literary theory, but that support is somewhat nuanced. The present paper examines some of the psychological evidence that pertains to the literary theory\u27s critical assumptions regarding the effectiveness and impact of comic face presentation