Volume 2 Page 102
Posted October 25, 2016 at 12:01 am

Panel 1: As seen here, and also in panel 4, I prefer a nonstandard “four-dot” approach to the so-called “ellipsis”—rather than the more conventional “three-dot” approach—in the manga-inspired context in which it conveys a deliberate silence on the part of a character.

 I can’t quite explain exactly why, but I like the “four-dot” riff. I consider this justified because different manga artists use wildly varying numbers of dots—or periods, if you prefer—for their takes on the ellipsis, with some using prodigious numbers of them, such as long, multiple rows of dots.

 Panel 2: Note the rare dramatic use of “speedlines" as a backdrop to convey the emotionally charge of the off-panel Emp’s blurted word balloon. Not a common technique for a dialogue scene, but one that definitely has an interesting effect.

 Panel 3: Note also how, in a page with horizontal, panoramic panels featuring large word balloons, I’m careful to alternate which side of the page those dialogue-heavy word balloons appear on. If all the text was on the same side of each panel, the page would appear off-balance and asymmetrical to my eye. Also, alternating sides like this adds an ineffable sense of energy and drama to a dialogue-based sequence for me, though admittedly only to a minor degree—though, of course, Your MIleage May Vary on this point. 

 Panel 4: Enjoy the noodly details of those wee lines and diagrams on the displays of the Caged Demonwolf’s alien prison while you can, as soon they will disappear entirely from future depictions of the Blazing-Eyed Devilgoat.

 -Adam Warren

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