ComicSlanguage
1. Reading direction
Just like with other texts we read, comics are read from left to right. In a frame, when two characters are having a conversation, the speech bubble that is most to the left is the one you read first. The order of speech bubbles is also determined by which one is on top. It is possible to emphasize the order in which bubbles should be read by overlapping them.



2. Speech bubbles
In comics, characters speak using speech bubbles. Despite its name, a speech "bubble" can take many shapes, which help us "hear" what's being said (or how it's being said).







Comics also use special "thought" bubbles to indicate when a character is thinking or talking to himself. The writer wants to emphasize here that only the reader can "hear" the character's thoughts.



3. Voices
Even though comics are like silent movies (movies that didn't have sound) it is still possible to "hear" the voices of the characters and the sounds of the events taking place. Characters' voices and other sounds are expressed using different types of text and writing, and also by using certain words that make or "sound like" a sound.

(Hey, look out for that pool!)


(Is anyone home?)


(No! No! Don't touch the red button!!)


(Be careful, he's got a gun!)


(Quick! Open the window before the bird flies into it!)

4. Body language
In comics, like in pantomime, body movements are exaggerated so that it will be clear what is going on.

Happy

"I lost another tooth!"

Scared

"I didn't know you had an older brother!"

5. Facial expressions
The facial expressions of characters in comics are also exaggerated in order to show their moods and reactions more clearly.
Satisfied


Surprised


Indifferent


Proud


Happy


Upset


Evil


Angry


6. Frame size
The larger the frame (or square) in a comic strip, the more that can go on in it and the more important this segment is to what's happening in the story. In the first and second frames, the writer presents the location of the story and the main characters so that you will not be left guessing where you are.

7. Movement
Showing movement in a comic strip is done with the use of lines that come out from the object that is "moving." The straighter the line, the faster the object is moving. The curved lines that "vibrate" out from an object show its location a moment earlier and also emphasize how fast it's moving.





7. Color
Color is divided into two basic types: "hot" colors and "cold" colors. Among the hot colors you can find reds, yellows, oranges and some purples. The cold colors include the blues, greens and the darker purples. Hot colors usually stand out more than cold colors. Because one of the goals when coloring comics is to make the story easy to read, it is a good idea to color your characters using hot colors, to make them stand out more on the background, which is usually colored with cold colors. If you really want your character to stand out, use pastel colors (watered down versions of the cold colors) for the background.





7. Perspective and Distance
A drawing that is done with perspective is built in such a way so that objects that are closer are darker and bigger, and things that are in the distance will be lighter and smaller.