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The vocabulary of comics consists of the many different techniques and images which comics artists will employ in order to convey a narrative within the medium of comics. more...

This vocabulary forms a language, variously identified as sequential art, graphic storytelling, pictorial stories, visual language or comics. Whilst scholars have yet to unite on a term to define the language, the communicative tools of that language have been formalised in works by authors such as Mort Walker, Will Eisner,and Scott McCloud.

Panels

Images are usually laid out within borders, known as panels.

The layout of the panels can be in a grid, Watchmen being notable for utilising a nine panel grid, of three rows and three columns. Occasionally Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons would use larger panels that broke the format of the grid to emphasise specific acts or points in the narrative.

Other techniques of representation used within comics are: the speech bubble; the thought balloon; the narrative box; and the style of lettering.

Panel frames

The border or edges of a panel, when drawn, are termed frames. These are normally of rectangular shape, but this shape can be altered to convey information to the reader. A cloud shaped panel can indicate a flashback or dream sequence, whilst one with a jagged edge can be used to convey anger or shock. A panel without a frame is used to convey space. The frame itself can be formed by the image, for example, a scene can be framed by a door frame or by binoculars.

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