Cartoon SNAP: Frazetta Funny Animal Comics - Bruno the Bear 1949

Another side to Frazetta. His funny animal art.

Cartoon SNAP: Frazetta Funny Animal Comics - Bruno the Bear 1949

Cartoon SNAP: George Herriman’s Stumble Inn Dec 23 1922

Cartoon SNAP: George Herriman’s Stumble Inn Dec 23 1922: Although he’s most famous for his animal characters ( Krazy Kat , Ignatz Mouse and Offisa Pupp), George Herriman ’s cartooning magic worked ...

Types of Speech Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

These are examples of different types of word balloons and captions. These are not the only way to portray these types. You can be very creative in your interpretation of these types.

Dialogue - used with quotes when it's in a caption.

Thought - with captions sometimes a symbol is used in the upper left to let you know who is thinking and/or it is color coded.

Computer - indicates computer audio.

Double Gutter Burst - two balloons one inside the other to indicate yelling; not screaming.

Ghostly

Icicle - indicate cold shoulder being given or pissed off attitude.

Loud Speaker

Monster

Radio/Electronic - indicate speech broadcast via radio, TV or other devices.

Robot - indicate artificial being speaking.

Scream

Telepathic - indicate character is using their mind to communicate.

Telephone - indicate person speaking on other end of phone.

Weak - indicate character is distressed, dying, tired or becoming unconsciousness  in some way.

Whisper - indicate softly spoken speech.

and many more that haven't been done because you haven't created it.

The typeface chosen and color can add to the effect also and should be used where needed.

Hey creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

to be continued...

read next - Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous - Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.

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copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Speech Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

Word Balloon and Caption Placement

If you are working from a full script, then put in your text first to get a general idea of space needed.

Do this whether you are working digitally or traditionally.

Then draw your figures. 

Then you can go back and finalize the text position and balloons.

If you are working from a plot, then leave the top third empty, but don't leave empty space. As you draw leave a dead space just begging for a balloon or caption. 

Check out more on balloon and caption placement from one of the masters in the field; Todd Klein on his blog.

Also check out this article by the great Nate Piekos on grammar and aesthetic traditions.

read next - Types of Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous - Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

Speech Balloons That Create Panelitis

Don't give your characters Panelitis.

Panelitis occurs when you have to squeeze your characters to fit into the panel

or under the word balloon or caption.

You either bend them or distort them.

Also don't cut off their head or hat.

When drawing just automatically leave the upper third of the panel open for balloons and captions.

Be careful. Don't leave a wide open space. Draw in the space, but don't put critical information there.

read next - Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

previous - Word Balloons for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Word Balloons for Comics and Graphic Novels

Speaking Order for Speech Balloons

For western audiences, the first person to speak should always be

on the left to match the reading order of left to right and top to bottom.

The second balloon will be to the right and if possible make it a bit lower than the first balloon.

This is not a good idea.

Better solution if person on the right must speak first.

OR

change the wording.

read next -  Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

previous - I do answer requests!

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.