Review for Comic Book Art Quiz #2- Units 5-7
Quiz Value: 25 pts.
Date of Quiz: _______________
Review the items on this list to study and prepare. You’ll find all of the information in the
Power Point slide-printouts and various other handouts. You can access the original
Power Points and handouts in my Outbox under the Quiz Review Folder or on my teacher webpage: http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Page/6566
Developing a Story
Types of Characters:

Protagonist- the most important character (hero
OR antihero)

Antagonist- character in conflict with protagonist
(often the villain)

Confidante- sidekick to the protagonist

Foil- sidekick to the antagonist

Dynamic Characters- well developed

Static Characters- underdeveloped (they don’t change throughout the story)
Narrative Arc:

The chronological construction of a story’s plot, consisting of 5 points:
1. Introduction of Protagonist
-The beginning of the story where the main character is introduced
2. Spark
-The event that propels the protagonist into action
3. Escalation
-Protagonist tries a series of approaches to put his or her life back into balance (the story builds)
4. Climax
-The ultimate event in the cycle of escalations
5. Denouement
-The loose ends of the story are quickly tied up;
French for “Resolution”
Storyboards:

Graphic organizers in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a story
 Usually in the form of “thumbnail sketches”
(quick, small line drawings)

Elements of a Comic
Panels:

Definition- Still images in a sequence of juxtaposed images

Gutters- The spaces between and around the panels

Splash Panel- Takes up most of a page

Double-page Spread- One scene that covers two pages

Inset Panel- A panel contained within a larger panel

Bleed Panel- The imagery extends or “bleeds” out of the page

T-Square- Drafting tool that draws parallel and perpendicular lines (used to create panels)
Lettering:

Definition- Any text on a comic’s page

Bold Font- Used to emphasize words

Large Font- Indicates shouting

Small Font- Indicates whispering

Dialogue- Spoken (or thought) by a character

Captions- Used for narration

Display Lettering-
Text that isn’t dialogue or caption (ex. Street sign)

Sound Effects (SFX)- Stylized lettering that represents noises within a scene. o Onomatopoeia- A word that sounds like it is spelled (ex. Boom, Meow, Brrrring)

AMES Letting Guide- Creates evenly-spaced lines of different heights for text in a comic. Use a T-square with it!
Word Bubbles:
 A bordered shape containing text
 Comes in different shapes and sizes
 Word Balloon- Contains dialogue with a tail pointed toward the speaker
 Thought Balloon- Contains unspoken thought
Emanata:

Symbols or icons defining what is happening in a character’s head, or defining an action

Action Lines- Appear behind a moving object to show motion

Background in Perspective
Definition of “Perspective”:

Your point of view when you look at something

Creates the illusion of depth in an illustration

Was discovered during the Renaissance by architect Brunelleschi
Atmospheric Perspective:

Refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.

Oftentimes- Landscape backgrounds

An illustrator creates depth by:
-Drawing objects in the distance smaller
-Increasing contrast in the foreground, and reducing it in the background
-Increasing the brightness and intensity of colors in the foreground
Linear Perspective:

A mathematical system for creating the illusion of space and distance on a flat surface

Terminology-
-Converging Lines- Parallel in reality, but appear to recede at an angle towards a common point
-Vanishing Point(s)- The intersection point of all converging lines
-Horizon Line- Passes through the vanishing point(s) at eye level
One-Point Perspective:

When a drawing has only one vanishing point

Example- A city street with buildings on either side

Two-Point Perspective:

When a drawing has two vanishing points

Example- The corner of a structure with both sides angled away from the viewer
Three-Point Perspective:

When a drawing has three vanishing points (the third is above or below the horizon line)

Used to show exaggeration

Example-
Bird’s-eye or Worm’s-eye views
Grayscale Prismacolor
Markers
Part of “Backgrounds in
Perspective” Unit
Cool vs. Warm Grays:

The difference between them is in the overall tone: o Cool Grays- Have a blue tone o Warm Grays- have a yellow tone

Different values- o Tints (lightest)= 10% - 30% o Midtones= 40% - 60% o Shades (darkest)= 70% - 90%

Use the range of options to create highlights and shadows, depending on your light source