Comic books and graphic novels, such as Superman and Spider-Man are known for having heroes that pop out of the scenes. The names of the characters are also self-explanatory. However, Chris Ware uses Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth to debunk many stereotypes about the medium of comic books and graphic novels. In The Smartest Kid on Earth, Ware uses an odd name, the elements of various scenes, and characteristics of Corrigan to prove that comic books are not just for extraordinary superheroes.

The use of a strange name is an attempt for Ware to disprove the superhero stereotype. The title The Smartest Kid on Earth appears to make absolutely no sense, as Corrigan appears to be middle age at youngest. However, Ware does incorporate some moments that one could call childish. On page 9, some immature language is used when Jack says to Corrigan he would “not tell any chick I liked her until I fucked her at least six times” (Ware). The use of that language could shed some light on why Ware used Kid instead of man in the title as the place he works at does not look like a school and instead appears to be a coffee break room. This is not the type of language one would hear in a school, but it can be heard in the workplace. Another example happens on the same page. This time, Jack threatens money from Corrigan, as he asks for five bucks to borrow (Ware 9). This threating of money is like many children’s cartoons where a bully threatens lunch money. Another motif is Corrigan’s mother. While she is never seen in the story, she is mentioned. Corrigan gets a card from her (Ware 7). Also, her name is seen in the address book (Ware 15). The mentioning of both Corrigan’s mother and father is another reason why Ware chose to put Kid in the title. It would be unusual for a writer to create a full grown adult character that mentions their parents. Since Ware subtlety connects to children’s cartoons and mentions Corrigan’s mother, it is another reason why Kid was used in the title. For many normal comic books, the character name is self-explanatory. It would be nearly impossible for one to not know what Spider-Man is from the name. However, Ware does not make the name self-explanatory, making the reader use some interpretation, showing that this is not a stereotypical superhero comic book, but rather a different subgenre of comics altogether. 

The elements of many scenes, such as the background contribute to show that this is not an everyday type of comic book. Typically, the background tends to be just a single color and not busy, unlike many other comics. An example is one of the panels where Corrigan is in the airport, where the background is a dull shade of blue with little activity occurring (Ware 24). The colors that Ware chose were natural colors, such as blue and burgundy, showing that Ware wanted Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth to be not about a superhero, but rather a normal character. Colors that are not natural, such as a bright red or a neon green, to name a few, are sparingly used. Bright red is sometimes used to represent an explosion. Another element is the fact that Ware did not use as much sound effects as one would expect in a graphic novel. When sound effects are used, it is not a “BAM” or a “POW”, but rather effects such as a “RING” for when a phone goes off (Ware 12). In fact, many pages entirely lack sound effects altogether. Since the sound effects are less used and more natural, it further drives the point the Ware had made Corrigan an average human being. The use of a relatively dull background and lack of sound effects were used to prove that comic books can have anyone as the main protagonist, not just extraordinary superheroes. Corrigan himself also has some characteristics that appear usual.

The appearance of Corrigan shows Ware’s true intent of normality, rather than being extraordinary. He is literally described as “six feet tall and [holding] an average weight” (Ware 3). Typically, most superheroes are taller and stronger than Corrigan. He is not taller or stronger than any other character in the piece. The clothing he wears is another proof of the ordinary. It appears that he is wearing a black vest on top of a white shirt and this persists throughout the novel.

The use of black and white for the clothing on Corrigan was used so he would not pop out. It can be contrasted to the scene where Superman commits suicide. On this scene, Superman is wearing red and blue, which contrasts the dreary day outside (Ware 11). The clothing of Superman was also used to contrast Corrigan’s black clothes. Furthermore, most of the other characters are wearing colors that do not pop out, which yet another example of the normalcy. He also lacks many abilities that some would consider a prerequisite to being a superhero. 

Another attribute pointing towards reality are the scenes where Corrigan is in an airplane. Since Corrigan is in an airplane, it is assumed that he lacks the ability to fly. Almost every superhero can fly, which would make being in an airplane obsolete. Ware used the airplane trip to show that not all comics and graphic novels are about heroes that can fly for hours. He also is losing a battle against Father Time by his appearance.

Age is also used as Corrigan is showing signs of aging in some of the close-ups. He is balding and has wrinkles on his face (Ware 4). Most superheroes do not seem to age, but Corrigan is not a superhero and thus, he is not immune to age. As for other texts in the genre, aging is non-existent as that is considered a weakness. In fact, many superheroes are immortal. He is also not immune to injuries. 

Lastly, the sign of an injured foot shows another human weakness for Corrigan. During the scene in the airport, he is seen with tape around his foot and leg, showing an injury (Ware 23). While it is unknown how he got his foot injured, one thing is for certain, it was not for dramatic purposes to the reader, which is usually how an injury would happen for a superhero. In fact, there was a good chance that it was a workplace accident. It was used to show that he is another everyday human and is not immune to injuries. He also shows imperfections after he wears his crutch on the wrong side (Ware 28). Many comic books would only use an injury for dramatic purposes or a cliffhanger. Since Corrigan is not immune to the effects of aging and injuries, he is shown as a human being with some faults. 

Ware uses Corrigan to show that not all comic books have to involve superhero-like qualities. He is not immune to age or injuries and is occasionally made fun of. An odd name, his lacking of abilities, and natural characteristics of Corrigan, such as his dull black and white clothing, show that he is normal in a genre that is typically filled with extraordinary and astonishing characters. 
