Active Topics | Member List | Search | Help | Register | Login
The John Byrne Forum
Byrne Robotics > The John Byrne Forum
Topic: Technical Question - Layouts Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message
Karl Wiebe
Byrne Robotics Member
Avatar

Joined: 06 December 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 172
Posted: 18 May 2019 at 1:57pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply

Hi gang - I read a lot of old comics (like 1950s and 1960s) so I am used to the standard 6 or 9 panel layout on a page (and the occasional splash page). 

I saw this page (Thanos #1) and have a question I am hoping the more technical comic book people may know about.  There are a bunch of panels on the page, but they aren't showing anything "story wise" that a splash page wouldn't take care of.  It is like the artist drew a big splash page and then layered panels over top of it. 

NOT saying amazing or dumb, just trying to wrap my head around what this technique is.  Like what is the point - because in my mind, the artist draws panels to help "speed up" or "slow down" the reader, or at least try to direct them.  What is the point of the panels (like on the left and the bottom) that don't seem to show anything specific?  Why not just use a splash page? 

I totally admit I am not a layout expert so this might be an amazing technique and I am just missing the point?


Back to Top profile | search
 
Peter Hicks
Byrne Robotics Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 April 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 1879
Posted: 18 May 2019 at 2:18pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

This would have been better as a splash page with the three insert panels along the right side of the page.  The orange areas and lines are distracting and add nothing to the story or art.
Back to Top profile | search
 
Nathan Greno
Byrne Robotics Member
Avatar

Joined: 20 April 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 9154
Posted: 18 May 2019 at 3:08pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply

It's a design choice. 

Art is subjective. 
Back to Top profile | search
 
Eric Jansen
Byrne Robotics Member
Avatar

Joined: 27 October 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 2280
Posted: 19 May 2019 at 12:07am | IP Logged | 4 post reply

Well, it's different!  But, really, all you need are the four panels in the middle; the rest is just frill.  If there's too much of this in a given issue, I would probably thumb through it and put it back on the stand.

I love Neal Adams' work more than just about anything, but some of his page layouts in the late 60's/early 70's were confusing and annoying.  I appreciate experimentation, but I appreciate clear storytelling more.
Back to Top profile | search
 
Matt Hawes
Byrne Robotics Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 16407
Posted: 19 May 2019 at 6:17am | IP Logged | 5 post reply

I think it looks fine. Like Nathan said, it's a design choice. 
Back to Top profile | search | www
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

 Active Topics | Member List | Search | Help | Register | Login