Graphic Novel Terms

Front

Frame

Back

The lines and borders that contain the panels.

Front

Layout/Composition

Back

The arrangement of panels on a page to create a visual narrative.

Front

Grawlix

Back

Symbols (such as !@#$%) used in place of profanity in speech balloons.

Front

Panel

Back

A single frame or box in which a single scene or action takes place.

Front

Open Blank

Back

Faces without much expression or detail.

Front

Bleed

Back

An image that extends beyond the edge of the page.

Front

Graphic Weight

Back

The use of color and shading to draw the viewer's eye to a particular part of the page.

Front

Closure

Back

The process of observing parts and perceiving the whole, often used in comics to connect sequential panels.

Front

Word Balloon

Back

A graphic element that contains a character's dialogue.

Front

Caption

Back

A box of text typically used for narration or providing additional information.