Comics Terminology
Splash panel. Also, splash
page (if full page)
Bleed (image
runs off page)
Also, full bleed,
image runs off
page on all sides.
Speech
balloon/
bubble
“Camera"angles shot
reverse shot
Page
close up
long shot
Panel/
frame
Gutter (space
between
panels)
Narrative
box/
voice-over
Thought balloon/bubble
Emanata
Other terms
Spread:
Recto/verso:
Printer’s spread:
Thumbnail:
Pencil:
Inks:
Mockup:
Paste-up:
Borderless panel
two facing pages in a printed book
technical terms for pages in a spread. Recto = right page, verso = left page
the layout of pages for printing. Not the same as a spread in a printed book.
a rough sketch of a comic, delineating placement of figures, word balloons, and
background elements, as well as content of word balloons.
a relatively defined drawing preliminary to the final inked stage.
the final stage of a comics drawing (applying ink to the pencil guidelines)
a rough layout of pages to plan a book
the final artwork pages ready for printing
Literary Devices with Comics
Often comics will contain very sophisticated literary devices, but since it is a visual
medium, it is often hard to spot them.
1. Foreshadowing:
Authors use a number of techniques to foreshadow, including dialogue that reveals a
character trait, describing the behavior of one or more characters, a plot turn that
alters the circumstances for a character, or a brief setting change that divulges
information that will become crucial later in the story. Similar techniques are used in
comics, but often through the art as opposed to the words.
Examine the pictures on the next three pages from the wordless graphic novel
“Tuesday” by David Wiesner.
1)
What kind of mood do they present?
2)
How is this achieved?
3)
What is the effect of getting closer and closer to the lizard on the first page?
4)
How does the last panel of the first page relate to the double page spread that
follows?
The twist on the second page is surprising, due to its surreal image of flying frogs,
but not unexpected, due to the foreshadowing..
Task:
Now, try to write a description of the scene that unfolds over the first three pages of
“Tuesday”. Be as descriptive as you can, and try to make the revelation of the frogs
as shocking as possible.