#panel layout

that's a tough one to answer, but let me see what i'm able to explain!

When I approach a comic page, I tend to consider the whole page first rather than individual panels. I batch pages together, and try to make it so it's not the same general shape of panels from page to page, unless I want to do it intentionally for some reason.

(some examples of my layouts/sketches for the comic)

Then, when it comes to the panels themselves, I again, try to vary what's in there. can't always be the same angle. sometimes you gotta pull back the camera! sometimes you gotta have it be real close. with loop and isabeau doing nothing but talking under the Favor Tree, I had to find a way to make that interesting. also, i tend to keep the 180° rule as much as I can just so character placement stays consistent and easy to follow ( broke the rule like... twice, i think. )

another thing that's important i think to consider in the composition is the dialogue. you can see how in the layout of the pages i have it already written down. it's just so i can account for how it's gonna take up space in the page immediately!! if you don't do that and you draw everything out, then try to fit the dialogue in there... the bubbles tend to feel a bit cramped, in my opinion

finally, here's a little bit of what went on in my head as i planned for one of the comics pages, basically every decision here informs the way i planned the panel's composition!

as for comic inspirations, i didn't look at a specific one to help me out on this comic, but if you're looking for a comic recommendation that has some really good page/panel compositions you could look at, I'd say to go look at The Property of Hate by @modmad ! The whole comic is so good, but I always look back fondly to the " POV " chapter, the way the characters move around on the tree is so neat.

"As you begin in the dungeon, these tunnels are tight, you can still see the roots of plants from the surface hanging down. You wind deeper and deeper down. The loose dirt and soft soil give way to more solid, packed earth and stone, no more roots down here."

"Roll a check since you're in the front."

"Out of the darkness a shriek pierces the air as a giant rat with glowing red eyes lunges at you. It's teeth chomp down onto your face."

So my friend has begun dming again, and he's work-shopping a system with us that's like a mix of AD&D and Squire. We just did out first ever dungeon last week! I can't believe nobody died!! Boy did we come close though!! The quotations above are based on what my dm friend was saying to set the scene and stuff. I paraphrased a little cause I don't remember exactly word for word what he said lol, but I hope I made him sound as cool as he is.

You just feel the sheer weight and terror in this moment! The panel borders cracking & shattering right alongside the bridge truly helps set the mood!

All the paneling from Chapter 4! (You can click on them to see them in larger sizes.) I don’t really have anything to add to this, but if you have questions, ask away! \o/

Chapter 3

My comic, “Nuzlocke on Ice”