Well, I've been reading TONS of different comics, both on Drunkduck and print, and even deviantArt.

I've seen a HUGE difference in some of the panels.

So, do you think panels make the page?

Such as messy panels *my favorite style* like, with thick borders and a few messy lines, which gives the page the 'rugged' look.

The regular 'straight' style, just thin lines that mark the borders

And others that have patterns and whatnot.

Discuss!

Ryuthehedgewolf
So, do you think panels make the page?

Such as messy panels *my favorite style* like, with thick borders and a few messy lines, which gives the page the 'rugged' look.

They can, easily. They add amzing pizazz to a boring scene, for example instead of you char being completely inside the panel you enlarge them outside. Or if you slant the panel it's an easy way to 'lead' the eye to the next panel.

Those scratchy 'rugged' panels are a lot like doing text by hand: some can do it right but most others suck and it stops many people from even reading the comic.
I always recommend to Just use a ruler/pen tool and adjust the line thickness to your style- pleases a readers eye.


But people pretty much like panels that are their personal style as well on the majority...

I prefer ORGANIZED panels that are square or rectangle.

I have exceptions though. If the scene is suppose to be dramatic, a messy panel would be more appropriate.

The way an artist does panels can add just as much style to it as the way they draw word bubbles, or the whole comic itself. I personally get bored after seeing page after page of rectangular or square panels. (Of course, it's alright if we're talking a comic strip, because that's pretty much the norm. Of course, I use rectangular panels a lot myself, but I do often like to spice things up with a trapezoid or some other polygon. :)

The whole point of panels is that they keep track of time. A lot of people start up thinking they can copy their favorite manga by making all of these zany panels that GO EVERYWHERE but more than likely they fail because they don't realise how panels contribute to a story's pacing. Look at the webcomic Dresden Codak for an example of terribly placed panels that ruin an otherwise decently drawn and written comic.

Layout is pretty important; just as important as the art and writing. You'd do wise to venture into different comics to see how they're laid out. Even the basic 3x3 grid can tell a gripping story better than triangular circle whatever panels.

Laying out panels is hard, precisely for the reason that angry_black_guy mentioned - you have to realise how panels contribute to pacing - but when it's done right, it really heightens the quality of the comic.

In comic strips, the regular rectangle/square panels are fine, because strips usually tell a rather linear sequence of events, but when you're doing full-page comics, the panel layout becomes far more important, and usually needs to be a little more complicated. You don't need to go mad with circles and triangles and other crazy shapes, but a little variation is always fun.

I have trouble fitting enough action onto every page - this inability makes my pacing rather slow at times - because I want things to happen on the page, but I also want the panels to be easy to read. So what I do to learn is read comics - lately, it's been Bone and Hellboy - so see how they fit the action onto the pages, and how the pacing is influenced by it.

Depends on the comic type. My comic is a strip, so my artist does four boxes, that's it, as a rigid outline. but she's working on more story-based comics, and she finds that the panels can make a large difference.

They, like the characters and setting, have to help convey a mood. There's a lot of personal opinion in it as well, and some aesthetic preferences. It all depends on the artist and the story in general.

Me, personally, I love a unique looking page, but only if it's easy to follow and read. :)

If panels are not thought out right, and done properly, it effects the entire page, and possibly the story as a whole. Panel layout sets the tone for proper continuity. If done correctly, your eye will flow from each panel, smoothly and correctly, without getting lost. The panels, can be a sort of a third character, if done right. A jagged panel can give a feel of shock, or suprise, a gooey panel can give the effect of something foul, or dripping....etc.

Panel layout is the fundamental storytelling skill at work in comics. Everything else is secondary. Yes, I really DO see it in such black and white terms. You're telling a story in a succession of panels. All the pretty pictures in the world can't save a bad page layout.

Maybe for page story comics with a vertical style of paneling does this really effect.

I'm not sure how much panels make a difference in horizontal (strip) style, other than making sure there's enough panels for talking.

But, agreed with Angry_Black_Guy. Too many panels thrown everywhere kills a page. I actually got lost on a comic once and had to stop reading...

Alright! Thanks for the replies so far guys *and gals*, but do you think if someone, namely me, did a page where he/she tested those jagged panels, would that be wrong?

Because I did D:

Ryuthehedgewolf
Alright! Thanks for the replies so far guys *and gals*, but do you think if someone, namely me, did a page where he/she tested those jagged panels, would that be wrong?

Because I did D:

Why should it be wrong? Experimentation is the only true key to learning when it comes to art.

There is just as much of an 'art' to correct 'panelling' (is that a word) as there is to speech bubble placement and even Illustration.

It is the space between the panels (not physical space) that is important as well, it is in these spaces that time travel takes place.

By all means, experiment, just remain aware of 'readability', do your panels aid in the storytelling or distract from it?

As long as it's not overdone, you can do a lot with various paneling styles and tricks. One of my favorite panel tricks, very effective and dramatic, was to have the panel itself shatter like glass . Another, more recently, was to lterally smack one of the characters through the border of the frame. Others have some wonderful techniques and purposes in playing with the frames/panels. The only limit is your own creativity and willingness to experiment. Sometimes, it will work beautifully and sometimes it'll fall flat. That's art! B)

I really like to experiment with panels and borders. Like one time I had this giant space octopus wrap its tentacles around the panel border. Also, panels are so cool because they are the thing in comics that really let you play with time and space in a way that no other medium allows, I mean, just read Promethea! Also creating patterns over the whole page with your panels. Like in my latest issue the characters are all sitting in a room where the walls are like a chessboard of dark green and light green, so I made the panels that didn't have real backgrounds alternate in the same way. Once you tune into the possibilities you realise they are endless!