Graphic Novels

An intro into the elements that create the work

Panel
• Usually squares or rectangles
containing a single scene.
• Can also be ‘Open’ – where
one or more, or all, of the
panel’s sides are open to show
dramatic effect.
• Or ‘Splash’ – where one
panel takes up the space of A typical comics page layout.
several panels in order to A is a splash
B is a Open or borderless panel
introduce or highlight an Spread – the entire page
action or character. Tier – one level of panels
Open

where one or more,

or all, of the panel’s
sides are open to
show dramatic
effect
 Splash

where one panel

takes up the
space of several
panels in order
to introduce or
highlight an
action or
character
Frame
• The lines and borders
that contain the
panel.
• These lines show the
individual panels.
• They separate the
different panels
(frozen scenes).
• They too, can be
dramatic and part of
scene (overall effect).
Gutter
• Space between
panels
• Indicates a shift
/ change
Bleed
• Images that
spread beyond
the panel’s edges
• Images that
extend beyond
the edge of the
page
Bleed
Layout
• Consider the size and shape of panels.
• How do they fit together?
• Do they interrupt or overlap each other?
• Are there any images without any frames (panel borders)?
• The gutters indicate a change (in how time is passing, in where you are, or in
whom you’re looking at or talking to).
• What do the gutters add to how you understand the story?
• What effect does an image going on outside the panel border have?
Shading and Color
• Color and shading
show feelings,
moods, and
emotions with
different colors.
• Subliminal &
Powerful
• Is an object solid
black, light grey,
white or
polychromatic?
Foreground, Midground,
Background
• Foreground –
• the panel closest to the viewer
• The image closest to the viewer
• Midground – placement of image
where a viewer would look first.
• Bacground – provides additional,
subtextual information for the
reader
• Off center or near top or bottom
images create visual tension
Graphic Weight
• A term that describes the
way some images draw
the eye more than others,
creating a definite focus
using color and shading in
various ways including:
• The use of light and dark
shades; dark-toned images
or high contrast images
draw the eye more than
light or low-contrast
images do.
• A pattern or repeated
series of marks.
• Colors that are more
brilliant or deeper than
others on the page.
Caption
• Words appear in a box speparated from
the rest of the panel or page, usually to
give voice to a narrator.
• Often rectangular in shape, straight
lines, no breaks
• Tend to have a different tone than the
other writings in the panels
• Convey information that cannot be
communicated by speech
Speech Balloons, Thought
Balloons & Special Effects
• Dialogue Balloon – focus on
conversation between characters
• Multiple characters speaking
• Or one character speaking to
themselves
• Thought balloon – focus on a
character’s thoughts and ideas
• Story Balloon – narrative, focuses
on progression of the story and
timeline
• Sound Effect Balloon –
onomatopoeia or images to convey
sound in the story
Faces
• Can be portrayed in different ways
• Some depict an actual person, like a portrait
• Others are iconic, representative of an idea or a
group of people
• Can be dramatic when placed against a
detailed backdrop – a bright white face that
stands out
• They can be drawn without much expression
or detail; this is called ‘open blank’ and it
invites the audience to imagine what the
character is feeling without telling them.
Emanata, Grawlixes, emoticons
• Emanata – typically found close
to the head of characters and used to
describe feelings, state of mind, or
even editorial commentary on the
part of the author sometimes!
• Grawlixes – refers to the series
of typographical symbols such as
@#$%&! to respresent swear words
• Emoticons – also known as
emote, is a pictorial representation of
a facial expression using characters to
express a person’s feelings or mood
Hands and Feet
• The positioning of hands and feet can be used
to express what is happening in the story.
• In different positions can convey different
messages
• Hands raised with palms out = express surprise
• Wringing of hands = express anxiety or discomfort
• Hands over the mouth = depict fear, shame, or
shyness
• Feet turned in = denote embarrassment
• Feet with motion strokes = create a sense of panic,
urgency, or speed
Art
• Design features, symbolism, fonts
and lettering style, perspective
• Each creator has his/her own style
• Realistic or cartoonish?
• What can you tell from the
• Expressions on faces?
• Gestures and movement characters?
• Background and its details?
• Monochromatic or Polychromatic?
• Do they change over the course of a
page or chapter?