Key Terms for Analyzing Graphic Novels

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts for analyzing graphic novels.

Panel

A single frame or box in a comic. Pages may contain several panels.

Tier

A row of panels.

Splash

A full-page illustration.

Spread

An image that spans two or more pages.

Inset panel

A panel within a panel.

Panel-to-panel transitions

Ways of moving from one panel to the next, which may be moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject, scene-to-scene, or aspect-to-aspect.

Aspect-to-aspect transition

A panel-to-panel transition in which a moment in one panel is frozen, then viewed from a different perspective in a subsequent panel.

Gutter

The blank space between panels.

Bleed

An image that extends to or beyond the edge of the page.

Foreground

The panel or part of a panel that is closest to the viewer.

Midground

The center of the panel, which often conveys mood or tone.

Background

The backdrop of an image, where illustrators often include setting, backstory, or subtext.

Speech Balloon

The bubble that contains internal thoughts or spoken words.

Captions

Information bubbles or boxes that are generally separated from the rest of the page.

Sound-Effects Lettering

Sounds that are separate from speech balloons that often accentuate actions.

Sequential visual art

Term to describe art forms that use images placed in a specific order for the purpose of graphic storytelling or of conveying information.

Closure

The use of prior knowledge to "fill in" the gutters and create narrative sequencing.

Juxtaposition

The placing close together or side-by-side elements that contrast one another.

Icon

An image used to represent a person, place, thing, or idea.

Emanata

Symbolic lines/marks that indicate feelings, like pain, confusion, and surprise.

Motion lines

Abstract lines that indicate movement; also called speed lines and zip ribbons.