The Creator's Guide to Comics Devices is OPEN!!!
comicsdevices.com
An online library of visual-narrative devices that are used in the medium of comics and other sequential art.
Happy Halloween! I'm really excited to be finally launching* what is maybe one of my most ambitious, largest work yet.
This online library is the next phase of a research project that began in May 2020, when I first mused on how comics as a field doesn't have a resource that catalogues devices used in the medium. Like, theatre has devices, so does literature, and film! So why shouldn't comics?
I always had an interest in comics studies and analysis. I love reading, making and thinking comics. However most of my knowledge was intuitive - I learned comics from osmosis and experience. This is true for many of my peers. Speaking about comics as a creator is hard, because we don't have a robust system of language. When we had to speak, many of us tend to reach for the language developed for film by film practitioners. If there is language specific to comics, it's either scattered in multiple blogs or hidden away in academic journals.
The Comics Devices library is meant to aggregate everything and everybody into a single hub! After exploring some multiple resources, alongside some original, independent research, here is the first edition!
* The Comics Devices project is still a work-in-progress! It's not final, nor will it ever be. This is why I am seeking contributors to help build this library. Translations, comics examples, etc. There is a lot of work to do! If you are interested, reply to this post or submit an expression of interest on this page.
Have fun everyone!!
(Now time for me to melt x_x)
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Idk if I talked about this here, but for the past 3 years I've been quietly developing a particular kind of comics taxonomy: identifying, naming and describing the visual-literary devices used in comics. Most of them are devices appropriated and adapted from other mediums, like poetry, rhetoric, cinema, etc - but quite a few are unique to comics. My intent is to give language not just for comics creators when they need to articulate their authorial choices, but for critics, scholars and teachers to talk about comics as a visual-literary art form.
Anyway, the research has gotten to the point where it's ready for the public. My plan is for this resource to be delivered in the form of a Wikipedia, online database, basically an accessible website that contains all the information related to the devices, including working examples from other graphic novels, webcomics, etc. It's STILL not ready yet - Idk when it's gonna debut, but I've recently secured an opportunity that will make progress move faster.
This zine right here is both soft-launch promo + a fancy business card for the Comics Devices guide. It's meant to pitch my research and act as a quick reference type of thing for folks. I'm only able to sell this in person in Australia, but folks in the US might get an edition soon (related to aforementioned opportunity).
I WILL BE RUNNING TWO PRESENTATIONS ON THE CRAFT OF COMICS DEVICES FOR CREATORS as part of the @cartoonistcoop Summer Camp Program.
Session 1 (AMERICA): July 20, 7 pm EST
Session 2 (UK/ASIA/OCEANIA): July 27, 6 pm AEST
Join the @cartoonistcoop for access this and next weekend.
About the presentation:
“What are comics devices? How many are there and how anyone working in or with the medium use them to improve their understanding of comics? Reimena Yee will walk you through the importance of comics devices and why knowing about them is important to everyone keen to read, make, study and teach comics”
Creator's Guide to Comics Devices: November 2023 Update
The first newsletter since launch came out a few days ago! It summarises all the updates I've made in November, which includes 2 (!) new devices, a sub-device, and other site changes.
Subscribe to the newsletter to get these updates direct to your email.
New Devices:
Aside
A short comment that sits outside of a balloon or character that is not perceived by anyone except the comment maker and the reader. An aside may come from the author, usually placed outside of the panel or near the edges. (Page with examples)
Topper
A secondary row of panels or single panel that goes 'on top' of the main comic. They are typically removable and non-essential, and usually contain the comic's title. (Page with examples)
Sub-device
Markers in Code Switch
Languages are assigned flags, pictographs or other iconographic symbols. (Page with examples)
News from the Curator and Site Changelog
I'm delighted over how well-received the library has been -- thank you to everyone who has shared, commented and provided feedback! I really appreciate the enthusiasm and generosity. <3
As a comics creator taking my first formal steps into the arena of comics studies, there is still a lot to do and to read for the library. Even with 63 devices catalogued, it's only still the beginning!
From the Interwebs
‘The Creator’s Guide to Comics Devices’ Is the First of Its Kind, an Incredible Resource for Comics Creators & Readers Alike (The Mary Sue, Joan Zahra Dark)
Lovely roundup from my fellow Cartoonist Cooperative co-founder Joan setting the historical context for Comics Devices and why an accessible resource is like this is due.
Kibbles n Bits (Comics Beat, Heidi MacDonald)
An enthusiastic feature of the library in Heidi's roundup.
Shout Outs
Thank you to Ritesh, Tan Juan Gee, Samantha Philipps, Blue Dellinquanti, Ted Anderson and Hannah Pallister for their contributions.
(I really need to get that credits/curator's notes page set up. That's this month's to-do)
Once again, thank you to the Sequential Artists Workshop Teaching Fellowship for supporting the development of the library this month.
Updates to the Site (Nov 2023)
Added the Store page and dedicated a subsection for it on the homepage, if only to direct people to the already-existing zine that’s currently distributed by Sequential Artists Workshop and myself. I might use that page to hold things like signing up for workshops and panels if they ever happen.
Added the Newsletter page so it’s easier to link to across the site and elsewhere.
Opened up the page that displays all the devices on one page.
Added ‘Contribution’ ‘Newsletter’ ‘All Devices’ to the sidebar.
Fixed the 404 page. It suggests the Site Map for advice.
Finally opened the Links page! Check out all the resources in there!
Thank you to folks who have submitted feedback/contribution! I have added new example pages for Harmonious Juxtaposition/Time & Space/Pictorial Lettering/Colour Coding and a longer definition for Map Panel.
Added two new devices – Aside and Topper.
Added ‘Markers’ and ‘Balloon Styles’ as a subdevice to Code Switch.
Finally set up the Gallery page: this is where comics pages featuring the relevant device will be catalogued.
Now for the slow work of filling up the galleries…..
New in Store: The Comics Devices Quick Reference Zine
Before the website launched, I produced this zine as a promotional thing + quick reference. This is a 12-page zine showcasing the devices in this library as of 2023 (not including the Topper and Aside). Perfect for students, teachers and anyone who needs a quick, in-person reference if there's no wi-fi available.
Sequential Artists Workshop is selling copies for North Americans in their online store.
Folks in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia can directly contact me to get a copy.
An ebook version is on the way. I will announce it via newsletter.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
