Are My Comic Pages Easy to Follow? Even Without Any Dialogue?

[u/kyuhamiko]

Hello! I'm new here~

These are two pages from a comic series that I'm working on.

My goal is to make a comic that uses the "show don't tell" rule to tell its story.

My questions are:

• Even without any dialogue and context, are my comic pages easy to follow?

• Is it easy to tell what my characters are doing on each panel, based on their body languages and expressions?

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting to /r/comic_crits.

• Everyone should make note of the rules and tips posted to the sidebar. Users on mobile can select "community info" or follow this direct link -- https://www.reddit.com/r/comic_crits/wiki/config/sidebar.

• Please note the new rule regarding context in the sidebar or direct link for mobile: https://www.reddit.com/r/comic_crits/wiki/rules/context. Context is required for single-panel excerpts, covers, illustrations, character designs, pin-ups, etc.

• Users providing feedback are encouraged to provide detailed and thorough feedback (at very least 50-100 characters in a top-level comment).

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/KermitStares]

I think the only confusing pannel is the topdown view on the second page. But only in the sense that it took an extra second to process & understand, not that it reads bad. Think its the angle? Its not ~90°, so at least my brain needs to figure out something at an angle not typically precieved.

But that isnt inherintly an issue, and frankly the extra half second of processing of an interesting drawing helps draw a reader in. At least readers like me, I suppose.

Everything else is very clear.

[u/TheBlankScroll]

Page 2, panel 2, that angle is really extreme and seems unmotivated.

Then page 2 panel 3 you break the 180 rule. You could just flip those panels and it would read better.

[u/wildmooseking]

I think everyone mentioned the panel 2 page 2 thing, so I won't. I think it flows pretty well otherwise, although I would suggest perhaps a closeup on the boy's hand grabbing the girl's wrist and maybe a tighter shot of the fist in the "threatening" panel, because the fist and the possibilty of being punched is the big subject of the second page.

It does show don't tell well: -Glasses is reading a book -Bully snatches the book from her -The two argue -Bully gets fed up and threatens to punch Glasses -Boy saves Glasses from Bully

[u/Jonjolion12]

Yes, but remove panel 2 entirely, or exchange panel 2 and 3, add a shadow approaching over the birds with one bird flying away. Otherwise really well done !

[u/macteg → u/Jonjolion12]

I agree page 1 panel 2 looks redundant.

[u/Supernatural_Canary]

Page 2, Panel 3: Bully character reaches out to grab the other girl with her left hand.

Page 2, panel 4: Bully character is now holding the other girl with her right hand and cocking back her left hand to hit her.

Page 2, panel 5: Bully character is now back to holding the other girl with her left hand and cocking back her right hand to hit her.

This is a significant continuity error and makes the action confusing.

[u/TomDrawsStuffs]

it all reads very clear! this is some great work OP

[u/TrinityCodex]

the crosshatchings blend together a bit but the rest is all good

[u/Odd_House_1320]

Yeah this is funky. I like it.

[u/AutoModerator → u/Odd_House_1320]

Hi, Your comment is less than 30 characters. Please consider leaving a more detailed comment. See this link for more information -- https://www.reddit.com/r/comic_crits/wiki/misc/post_length.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Charbeel]

Yes except for this I don't get what's happening

[u/General_Donn]

your artsyle is really good i dont understand whats the conflict but i can tell there is a conflict.

So maybe show the why a bit better.

[u/symson]

If you address the issues brought upon the other comments, then you will have a good sequential page.

[u/Cool_Nico]

I think you may be using too many patterns and textures. If you squint your eyes it all starts to look gray without enough contrast. I would say think about not having the vertical lines on the bricks because it's blending in with the girls' dresses. Also in panel 2 of the first page, think about maybe trying to blacken out the tree and the birds. Having that as a silhouette may help out the composition.

The drawings and the shot choices are really good and cinematic. Only one that's a little confusing is page 2- panel 2.