What are online graphic novels called?

Panel: A single frame or box that generally contains one sequence or segment of action. Pages may consist of a single panel or may contain several panels (a row of panels is called a tier, a full page illustration is known as a splash, and a spread is an image that spans two or more pages) of uniform or varied sizes. The varied sizes generally help to create pacing. Panels also may be used for different purposes. Content panels can either be word panels, image panels, or a combination of word and image panels. As a forewarning, I will use the term frame occasionally interchangeably with panel.

Gutter: The blank space between panels is “the gutter.” Action that occurs here is not literally seen or experienced by the reader; rather, it is to be inferred.

Bleed: An image that extends to/beyond the edge of a page

Foreground: The panel or part of a panel that is closest to the viewer

Midground: The center of a panel – how an author uses this space helps to create tone and mood. In other words, a graphic novelist might choose to place an image off-center to create a certain tension in the text. Our eyes tend to gravitate toward the middle or midground; when items we expect to be there are not, it can be disconcerting.

Background: The backdrop of an image where illustrators will tend to place objects that help create backstory, subtext, or other additional information

Speech Balloon: Speech balloons indicate dialogue in a text (although they may serve as thought balloons/bubbles). I will use the terms speech/dialogue/word balloon or bubble interchangeably. Pay attention to the shapes of the balloon as they can serve, in a way, as form of punctuation or statement of emotion. They are part of the illustration, not merely the words. Treat their shapes and lettering as such.

Captions: Captions are information bubbles or boxes that are generally separate from the rest of the panel or page. Often, captions are used to create a voice-over technique to the action in front of us. They are also spaces for soliloquies, personal thoughts, and, occasionally, dialogue. Read them carefully.

Sound-Effects Lettering: Graphic novels often include sounds in their works. These words are often separate from speech balloons; however, like speech balloons, the fonts, colors, and lettering of sound effects are important and should be considered as parts of the text worthy of your consideration.

Figure: For the most part, we will be concerned with the basic aspects of a figure or figure drawing when we consider graphic novels. Faces, hands, feet, eyes…see how these elements are fragmented or constructed visually on the page. What is revealed? What is missing? In a graphic novel, body language can help reveal mood or tone much more easily than words, so look at figures carefully (and, remember, while many graphic novels follow humanoid protagonists, not every figure will be human in scope!).

Iconography: Iconography is both visual and images used in a work of art as well as a collection of illustrations. Artists often draw from these collected images or symbols in order to create their art; however, not every artist adheres to traditional or conventional depictions!

Chiaroscuro: Graphic novels rely on graphic weight to signify importance. One method used to create this weight is chiaroscuro – the contrast of light and dark in a work of art.

Comics: While as an adjective, the word “comic” denotes “funny” (as your Sunday morning comics would hopefully agree), comics or sequential art can be satirical, political, funny, tragic, etc.

Graphic Novel: Typically, we understand graphic novels to be a book of comics. The accuracy of this term is much-debated with some even suggesting that graphic novels exists only as a term to offer credibility to the genre. For our purposes - like with the debate over short stories, novellas, and novels - we will consider any comics of significant length to be graphic novels.

Closure: The use of prior knowledge to “fill in the gutters” and innately create narrative sequencing in a series of panels.

KEY PLAYERS:

Cartoonist: The artist who is also the writer. We must acknowledge, however, that not all graphic novels are single author ventures. Sometimes, graphic novels will have a primary writer who plots out the basic narrative structure and dialogue. Furthermore, most graphic novels also require a letterer – someone to go in and fill in the speech/dialogue/word balloons after the writer is done working. This task may or may not be the responsibility of the artist, pending on how skillful the artist is.

From manga to daily sketches, comics offer diverse ways to express yourself and your stories. Whether you love classic, humorous comic strips or full-length graphic novels, nowadays there’s a wealth of sources to read and publish these stories online.

Below you'll find different websites where you can start publishing your work right now for free. If you’re hoping to build an audience of comic-lovers and create a platform for your work, read on to learn about the various features of each site to help you decide where to upload your comics.

1. WEBTOON

WEBTOON is the go-to site to easily read comics in many forms, with manga being particularly popular. From slice-of-life like My Giant Nerd Boyfriend to myth retellings like Lore Olympus, readers are spoiled for choice. You can read online or via the app.

When it comes to publishing, you’ll use WEBTOON CANVAS, which offers lots of features like integration with Patreon. You’ll choose two genres for your comic and start by uploading your first episode. You can learn more about the process in the WEBTOON ACADEMY. The site also runs regular contests with impressive cash prizes.

2. Tapas

Tapas is focused on webcomics (but also hosts novels and LitRPGs) and is home to more than 100,000 stories! It’s the original home (alongside Tumblr) of popular romance Heartstopper which was just adapted by Netflix, and also creates Tapas Originals in various genres. Comics can be read online or via the app.

Once you have 100 subscribers for one of your titles you can monetize the ads on your page, and after 250 subscribers you can use their in-built creator support tool, where readers can tip you. The platform occasionally partners with traditional publishers to turn popular comics into printed books.

3. GlobalComix

If you have a classic, American-style comic that wouldn’t look lost on the shelf next to Marvel and DC, then GlobalComix might be the choice for you. For action, sci-fi, steampunk, superhero stories, and more, this smaller platform is still home to over 10,000 books.

To earn money, you can put certain chapters behind a general paywall for subscribers to the site, or set up early-access perks for your most loyal readers.

4. Tumblr

Tumblr is still an excellent place to share your creative work if you draw comics. Many of the most popular webcomics on the internet have an account here due to the support and acceptance they give to the genre.

However, it’s worth noting that for the monetization side, you’ll need to link to another site (perhaps one of the above options). Think of Tumblr more as a portfolio, or a way to share snippets of your comic for free to get readers interested, before you direct them to read the full comic elsewhere.

5. Twitch

This is another “supporting” option for your comic, which you can use for promotion and attracting new readers. Many comic artists share their drawing processes on Twitch, using the Art channel. If you can take your potential readers behind the scenes and talk about your storytelling or drawing process, you’ll create some social proof for yourself, demonstrating your commitment to your audience and your expertise as an artist.

6. Patreon

For some creators, Patreon is simply a way to get “tips” for their content. For others, it acts as a members-only website where exclusive content gets published. However you choose to use it, your Patreon could be a useful tool to monetize an online comic. This subscription-based website allows independent creators to support themselves using monthly donations from “patrons”. You could share early-access pages, mini-comics, and more to your most engaged readers, while also supporting your main comic site.

English version by @angeljimenez ; updated by @lauren_duplessis.

You may also like:

Now you have an idea of where to publish comics online, you’ll need a great idea and eye-catching art. Here are some resources to get you started.

1. Unleash your creative superpowers with a discounted 2-course bundle: choose from comics, animation, character design, and more.

2. Need some inspiration to find your comic style? These 18 comic strips from Domestika teachers explore a wide range of looks.

3. Learn how to digitize your comic and share it online with a social media strategy in this course by Jimmy Craig.

Like

Design

5 Design Trends for 2023

Experimental typography, minimalist style, dark mode, and 3D design set the aesthetic for the New Year 2023 is just around the corner, and the most forward-thinking among us are already starting to prepare lists of resolutions and upcoming creative challenges. This is why it is important to gather information and make a forecast of what the year will bring in terms of trends. According to Natalia Escaño (@nataliaescano), the designer and illustrator behind the Nia brand, "being aware of what's up and coming to be able to implement it in our projects and not be left behind is a must". She spoke to us about the design trends for the year 2023.

What are digital comics called?

What are the 3 main types of graphic novels?

What is the difference between a Webtoon and a webcomic?

What are two types of graphic novels?