Features of Graphic Novels

• Panel:

  • A panel is one specific drawing on a comic book page.
  • Panels are often defined by the use of borders, and they can vary in size.
  • How panels are deployed on the page can influence how you read the page and interpret the story.
  • Movement between panels can convey different moments in time, various points of view, or shifts in the setting.
  • A panel without a frame can be used to convey space.
• Gutter:

  • The gutter is the white space that separates panels from each other.
  • This empty space requires the reader to make sense of what happens between and around specific moments in the story.
  • The gutter plays a crucial role in storytelling by inviting readers to engage their imagination and fill in the gaps.
• Speech Bubble:

  • A speech bubble is a visual element that contains the words spoken by a character.
  • It is usually connected to the character by a pointer, indicating who is speaking.
  • If it is jagged, the speaker is shouting.
  • Sometimes, characters’ thoughts are represented using thought bubbles, which are similar but indicate internal dialogue instead of spoken words.
• Emanata:

  • Emanata are graphic signs used to convey information that cannot be easily perceived through visuals alone.
  • They can represent a character’s state of mind, emotions, or other non-visible phenomena.
  • Emanata help convey complex feelings or thoughts that may not be explicitly stated in the text.
  • These are sweat drops, question marks, or motion lines etc.
• Tier:

  • A tier refers to any row of panels on a comic book page.
  • Tiers are used to organize and structure the visual storytelling, helping to guide the reader’s eye across the page.
• Caption:

  • Captions are textual elements that provide additional information about what is happening within a panel.
  • They are closed rectangles at the top.
  • They can describe the passage of time, indicate the location, or reveal a character’s feelings or inner thoughts.
  • Captions serve a narrative function, akin to a conventional storytelling voice.
  • Spoken captions are vocalized speech of a character off camera. These use the special use of quotations marks.
• Sound Effect:

  • Sound effects are representations of various sounds within a comic.
  • They are often conveyed through distinctive lettering or stylized icons.
  • Jagged lines suggest an exclamatory voice, but words can be used also.
  • Sound effects add depth to the reading experience and can immerse readers in the story’s action.
• Border:

  • A border defines the edge of a particular panel.
  • Sometimes, panels may “bleed” into another panel or empty space without a defined border.
  • Borders help visually separate different parts of the story.
  • A cloud shaped panel can indicate a flashback/dream sequence, while jagged can convey anger.
• Icon:

  • Icons represent specific objects, characters, or concepts within the comic.
  • The style and abstraction of icons can influence how readers perceive and react to the depicted elements.
• Use of White Space:

  • The white space in comics, including the gutter and empty areas within panels, is crucial for storytelling.
  • Readers must engage with and interpret white space to understand the narrative fully.
  • White space can convey mood, pacing, and transitions in the story.