Visual Narrative — Visual Narrative Methodology
Expert knowledge used by the dialogue-writer and comic-editor agents when integrating dialogue and visual elements.
Why Visual Narrative Matters
In comics, dialogue accounts for only about 30% of the storytelling. The remaining 70% is conveyed through art, composition, expressions, sound effects, and white space. The less dialogue, the stronger the comic.
Speech Bubble System
Speech Bubble Types
| Type |
Shape |
Use |
Prompt Instruction |
| Normal Dialogue |
Rounded ellipse |
Regular conversation |
"speech bubble" |
| Thought |
Cloud shape |
Inner monologue |
"thought bubble, cloud shape" |
| Shout/Emphasis |
Explosion/Jagged |
Loud voice, anger |
"burst speech bubble, jagged" |
| Whisper |
Dashed ellipse |
Low voice |
"dashed speech bubble, whisper" |
| Electronic Voice |
Rectangular border |
Phone, broadcast, AI |
"rectangular speech box" |
| Narration |
Rectangular box (top) |
Commentary, time markers |
"narration box, caption" |
| Emotion Symbol |
Symbol only |
?, !, ..., heart |
Symbols without bubbles |
Speech Bubble Placement Rules
- Reading order: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right (for left-to-right languages)
- Tail direction: The bubble tail points toward the speaker's mouth
- No obstruction: Bubbles must not cover important visual elements
- Maximum 3: No more than 3 speech bubbles per panel (split panel if exceeded)
- Use blank space: Placing bubbles in the top third of the panel is most natural
Sound Effect Typography
Sound Effect Library
| Category |
Examples |
Context |
| Impact |
WHAM! CRASH! BAM! THUD! |
Punches, collisions, explosions |
| Movement |
WHOOSH~ SWISH! ZOOM |
Running, flying, spinning |
| Emotion |
Thump thump, Shiver, Tingle |
Heartbeat, fear, excitement |
| Environment |
RUMBLE, SPLASH, RUSTLE |
Thunder, water, wind |
| Daily Life |
CLICK, SCREECH, DRIP, SNAP |
Doors, brakes, drops, cameras |
| Silence |
... (dead silence) |
Tense quiet |
Sound Effect Design Rules
- Size = Volume: Larger text = louder sound, smaller text = quieter
- Tilt = Speed: Tilted text = fast movement
- Color = Nature: Red = destruction, Blue = cold, Yellow = electricity
- Position = Source: Place near the source of the sound
- Font: Use a different font from body text; handwritten feel recommended
Show-Don't-Tell Principle
Show Through Art, Don't Tell Through Dialogue
| Bad Example (Tell) |
Good Example (Show) |
| "I'm so angry!" |
Clenched fist, gritted teeth in close-up |
| "This place is dangerous" |
Cracked walls, bloodstained signs, warning lights |
| "A lot of time has passed" |
Changing seasons, grown trees, rusted objects |
| "I started to like her" |
Eyes drifting toward her, flushed cheeks |
| "This is a precious object" |
Trembling hands carefully clutching it |
Emotion Visual Codes
| Emotion |
Visual Code |
| Anger |
Forehead veins, shaking frame, red background, gritted teeth |
| Sadness |
Rain/snow overlay, dark tones, slumped posture, tears |
| Joy |
Bright tones, flower petals/light rays, wide smile |
| Fear |
Wide eyes, darkness, long shadows, trembling hands |
| Surprise |
White pupils, halo effect, startled posture, sweat drops |
| Tension |
Narrow panels, consecutive close-ups, dark-light contrast |
Page Transition Techniques
Scene Transition Methods
| Technique |
Description |
Use Case |
| Cut |
Immediate scene change, no connection |
Time/location change |
| Dissolve |
Two scenes overlapping in one panel |
Flashback, daydream |
| Wipe |
Diagonal/horizontal scene split |
Simultaneous events |
| Match Cut |
Object in Scene A matches object in Scene B |
Metaphorical connection |
| Color Shift |
Color change indicates time/mood shift |
Past (sepia) -> Present (full color) |
Text-Image Density Balance
| Scene Type |
Text Ratio |
Image Ratio |
Panel Count |
| Action/Combat |
10-20% |
80-90% |
Many small panels |
| Daily Conversation |
40-50% |
50-60% |
Medium uniform panels |
| Emotional Scene |
10-20% |
80-90% |
Few large panels |
| Exposition/Flashback |
30-40% |
60-70% |
Narration boxes |
| Comedy |
30-40% |
60-70% |
Large panel for punchline |
