Comics Vocabulary
C
Caption
Boxes with words inside them that provide extra info or give voice to a narrator.
Close-up
A framing device used to bring attention to a subject by showing it details.
Comic strip
Short comic usually ending in a punch line.
D
Dummy book
Guide used to figure out the pagination of a comic book.
E
Emanata
Symbols used to indicate mood or emotion
Establishing shot
Framing method used to show the subject in an environment.
G
Graphic novel
A bound comic in book form.
Grid
Arranging panels in a uniform way.
Gutter
Space between panels.
M
Margin
Space between comic artwork and the edge of the page.
Master copy
The finalized, high-quality mock-up of a comic book used for reproduction.
Medium shot
Framing method that shows a subject and background elements.
P
Pagination
The order pages are placed into a signature when printing a comic book.
Panel
The boxes with words and pictures that make up a page of a comic.
S
Saddle stitch
The binding method used to create a comic book by folding and stapling signatures.
Script
A written plan for a comic.
Signature
A single sheet of paper that is folded to create multiple pages of a comic book.
Sound effects
Stylized words to indicate sound.
T
Thought balloon
Words in a cloud-like shape that indicate what a character is thinking.
Thumbnails
Quick and simple version of a comic used for planning.
Traditional comic book
Folded and stapled comic book
W
Web comic
Comic published on the Internet.
Word balloon
Workds in a circular shape that show a character speacking.