Graphic Novel Terms

Front

Bleed

Back

An image that either extends to the edge of the page or an element that goes beyond the frame of the panel.

Front

Layout

Back

The way in which the frame, panels, speech balloons, etc. are arranged to tell the story.

Front

Special Effects Lettering

Back

A method of drawing attention to a text that often highlights onomatopoeia and reinforces the impact of words.

Front

Graphic Weight

Back

The heaviness of a line or block of shading for visual focus.

Front

Gutter

Back

The space between panels on a page.

Front

Frame

Back

The border that contains a panel, defining its boundaries.

Front

Foreground

Back

The part of the image that appears closest to the viewer, often containing the main subject.

Front

Background

Back

The part of the image that appears furthest from the viewer, providing context to the scene.

Front

Panel

Back

A distinct segment of the comic page that contains a combination of images and text.

Front

Speech Balloon

Back

A graphic element that represents spoken dialogue in comics.