In “The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaption,” Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnel use contrasting images to represent the change that has occurred since the constitution was written. 

In the top left corner of the text, on the second page, the first panel states, “The first seven articles of the constitution-as it was composed in 1787-often reflect a wildly different moral universe…” (203). This first panel shows an image of a compass and a key sitting next to the compass. The compass looks to be very old and they key is an old fashion key. The two items have spider webs on and round them. The colors in the first panel seem to be very muted and the lighting in the image is very dark. The reader is able to see a slight shadow over the compass and key that almost looks like a window, giving the impression that they image is inside. The perspective of the image is looking down onto the items sitting on what seems to be a table. The image is made to seem like a picture of something from the time period of 1787. By adding the dark colors and old items the image directly relates to the text by reinforcing the idea that what life was like in the 1700’s is very different than what we imagine life to be in the present. 

The second panel, which is located in the top right corner of the second page has the opposite picture. On the top of this page the quote, that was started in the first panel described, is finished with, “…Than the one we live in today” (203). In this panel the image shows a hand holding a modern day GPS. On the top of the GPS is an American Flag.  Behind the GPS is a city scene. This scene consists of a range of different skyscrapers and buildings, a taxi, a street light, and a trash can. This image seems to be a more modern representation of directions. This panel seems to have brighter colors and to be lighter. This panel has a straight on view. The panel looks to be drawn as if the author wanted it to look as if the reader was holding the compass. By doing this the reader is able to better relate to what is going on in the image. Hennessey and McConnel added this image to show the modern day idea of how an average person finds his or her way. 

These two panels relate directly to each other and both the text and the images are needed to understand what the author is trying to portray. 