I love that this channel focuses on comics as a distinctive medium and an artform, rather than just gushing about superheroes. If there are anymore channels like this then please let me know.
I love the effect that someone creates when they cram a lot of smalls panels in a large page or space. It really gives the effect of urgency or quick tension. The example you presented in this video of the page with the eight small panels and the bottom big one dose this wonderfully by having that big releas. Great video as always, being a patron is worth every last penny
Since you asked, that 9 panel page stuck out to me like quick cuts in a tv show/movie/etc right before a cliffhanger (the large panel). Could be a perfect setup for a final page of a monthly book.
Yep, quick cuts is a good example, so a shorter amount of time in the small panels and a leading out to a larger one at the end. Clever how much can be conveyed in just shapes ! - Hass
Hi Hassan, I've not read this book, but in that last 12 panel page with the big rectangle surrounded by 2 panels on either size what way is a reader supposed to navigate that central panel without any clear order to my mind? did you read the 2 left panels then the central and then the 2 right panels? or maybe it's irrelevant and it can be read in either order ? I've been thinking about this a little bit lately and was curious if you have thoughts on it. Or maybe you've already done a video on the topic and I missed it. I also want to say I love different panel sizes and shapes but I've noticed a trend of American independent comics creators abandon interesting layouts for 8 rectangles in a 2x4 layout farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3330570148_1b036c9110.jpg which might be a symptom of comic artists working towards animation storyboarding because there's more money in animation than independent comics I guess? you're brilliant as always really love these thought provoking vids!
I read the two on the left side first and then the middle, then the two on the right side. I just judged this as I was reading on of the bigger middle was split or not. Not split implied it would separate left and right. I can see how it might not be as clear though. I guess I see that middle section of five panels as it's own tier, so read everything left across to right. As for the right panel grid, honestly not sure...! Confirming to a grid system can take a lot of the worry of layouts away, so it can be a simple way to just stay drawing your comic. If you don't need to worry about what panel sizes and shapes must be, you can just start populating beats of stories. If you look back at early golden age books, or European comics, you'll see a lot more really standard 6 and 8 panel grids. I did an episode about TinTin arguing for it's really clear legibility in big part because of its adherence to a structured grid approach -- so I'm sure that factors into it, too! - Hass
Yeah, I would say it's a good idea to apply the 180 degree rule for the exact same reason as film, to limit confusion and increase comprehension. It can be jarring when it's not kept up. However! I don't think it's necessarily /as/ jarring, and probably in some cases not even noticeable. I think it happens a few times in Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire, and I never noticed until a second (or maybe even third) read of that comic. It could be leading with speech balloons that helps, or plenty of other reason. But yeah, I think for the most part stick to that rule. It can cause issues for lettering, where ideally you want the person speaking first to be on the left side of the panel so tails don't cross. So it's not always a perfect solution and there might be times you see an artist cross the 180 line for the sake of that... so it's maybe not quite as clear cut a rule, but I do think it stands. - Hass
I thought the first eight panels was an exchange of blows and the last panel was the winner of tht exchange giving the coup de grace and having a long monologue that wasn't possible on the other eight panels.
The best example of timing and pacing in comics from my experience is in Akira. It seems to me that manga is a huge blindspot on this channel, but I love the analysis regardless!
I love that this channel focuses on comics as a distinctive medium and an artform, rather than just gushing about superheroes. If there are anymore channels like this then please let me know.
That's the aim! (Even though we do cover superheroes a bunch 😁) Glad it's interesting!
I love the effect that someone creates when they cram a lot of smalls panels in a large page or space. It really gives the effect of urgency or quick tension. The example you presented in this video of the page with the eight small panels and the bottom big one dose this wonderfully by having that big releas.
Great video as always, being a patron is worth every last penny
I've been waiting for this paneling episode!! Thanks Hassan, as always. You deserve more subs
There's so much more to say about it, but hopefully it serves as an easy to follow primer of sorts ...!
- Hass
Since you asked, that 9 panel page stuck out to me like quick cuts in a tv show/movie/etc right before a cliffhanger (the large panel). Could be a perfect setup for a final page of a monthly book.
Yep, quick cuts is a good example, so a shorter amount of time in the small panels and a leading out to a larger one at the end. Clever how much can be conveyed in just shapes !
- Hass
Oh my god, I didnt need to skip any video to get to the point. you begin right away, thankyou for that! A youtube first. XD
Hahaha :)
Sousanis was my professor. I found out about your channel because of him.
Thanks for the info on Nick Sousanis! 👍👍
He's great, right?!
Hi Hassan, I've not read this book, but in that last 12 panel page with the big rectangle surrounded by 2 panels on either size what way is a reader supposed to navigate that central panel without any clear order to my mind? did you read the 2 left panels then the central and then the 2 right panels? or maybe it's irrelevant and it can be read in either order ?
I've been thinking about this a little bit lately and was curious if you have thoughts on it. Or maybe you've already done a video on the topic and I missed it.
I also want to say I love different panel sizes and shapes but I've noticed a trend of American independent comics creators abandon interesting layouts for 8 rectangles in a 2x4 layout farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3330570148_1b036c9110.jpg
which might be a symptom of comic artists working towards animation storyboarding because there's more money in animation than independent comics I guess?
you're brilliant as always really love these thought provoking vids!
I read the two on the left side first and then the middle, then the two on the right side. I just judged this as I was reading on of the bigger middle was split or not. Not split implied it would separate left and right. I can see how it might not be as clear though. I guess I see that middle section of five panels as it's own tier, so read everything left across to right.
As for the right panel grid, honestly not sure...! Confirming to a grid system can take a lot of the worry of layouts away, so it can be a simple way to just stay drawing your comic. If you don't need to worry about what panel sizes and shapes must be, you can just start populating beats of stories. If you look back at early golden age books, or European comics, you'll see a lot more really standard 6 and 8 panel grids. I did an episode about TinTin arguing for it's really clear legibility in big part because of its adherence to a structured grid approach -- so I'm sure that factors into it, too!
- Hass
There's something I've always wondered about in comics: Do they have a 180 rule like film does? How often?
Yeah, I would say it's a good idea to apply the 180 degree rule for the exact same reason as film, to limit confusion and increase comprehension. It can be jarring when it's not kept up. However! I don't think it's necessarily /as/ jarring, and probably in some cases not even noticeable. I think it happens a few times in Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire, and I never noticed until a second (or maybe even third) read of that comic. It could be leading with speech balloons that helps, or plenty of other reason.
But yeah, I think for the most part stick to that rule. It can cause issues for lettering, where ideally you want the person speaking first to be on the left side of the panel so tails don't cross. So it's not always a perfect solution and there might be times you see an artist cross the 180 line for the sake of that... so it's maybe not quite as clear cut a rule, but I do think it stands.
- Hass
I thought the first eight panels was an exchange of blows and the last panel was the winner of tht exchange giving the coup de grace and having a long monologue that wasn't possible on the other eight panels.
The best example of timing and pacing in comics from my experience is in Akira. It seems to me that manga is a huge blindspot on this channel, but I love the analysis regardless!
Yeah, I read less manga, so discuss it less, but we've had a couple of episodes using manga as the examples!
Great freaking video like always.
Haha thank you!
informative .. useful .. t.y. .. 🙂
Wonderful
Thanks!
Thannnk Yoou! :D
I’m not a fan of the art in this
I loooooove Allen/Martin art a bunch. Their work of Secret Weapons was also fantastic I think!
- Hass