Visual Narrative

---
name: visual-narrative
description: "A visual narrative skill used by the dialogue-writer and comic-editor agents. Provides speech bubble systems, sound effect typography, Show-Don't-Tell principles, and visual metaphor techniques. Used for 'speech bubbles,' 'sound effects,' 'visual storytelling,' 'comic direction,' and related topics."
---

# Visual Narrative — Visual Narrative Methodology

Expert knowledge used by the dialogue-writer and comic-editor agents when integrating dialogue and visual elements.

## Why Visual Narrative Matters

In comics, dialogue accounts for only about **30%** of the storytelling. The remaining 70% is conveyed through art, composition, expressions, sound effects, and white space. The less dialogue, the stronger the comic.

## Speech Bubble System

### Speech Bubble Types

| Type | Shape | Use | Prompt Instruction |
|------|-------|-----|-------------------|
| **Normal Dialogue** | Rounded ellipse | Regular conversation | "speech bubble" |
| **Thought** | Cloud shape | Inner monologue | "thought bubble, cloud shape" |
| **Shout/Emphasis** | Explosion/Jagged | Loud voice, anger | "burst speech bubble, jagged" |
| **Whisper** | Dashed ellipse | Low voice | "dashed speech bubble, whisper" |
| **Electronic Voice** | Rectangular border | Phone, broadcast, AI | "rectangular speech box" |
| **Narration** | Rectangular box (top) | Commentary, time markers | "narration box, caption" |
| **Emotion Symbol** | Symbol only | ?, !, ..., heart | Symbols without bubbles |

### Speech Bubble Placement Rules

1. **Reading order**: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right (for left-to-right languages)
2. **Tail direction**: The bubble tail points toward the speaker's mouth
3. **No obstruction**: Bubbles must not cover important visual elements
4. **Maximum 3**: No more than 3 speech bubbles per panel (split panel if exceeded)
5. **Use blank space**: Placing bubbles in the top third of the panel is most natural

## Sound Effect Typography

### Sound Effect Library

| Category | Examples | Context |
|----------|---------|---------|
| **Impact** | WHAM! CRASH! BAM! THUD! | Punches, collisions, explosions |
| **Movement** | WHOOSH~ SWISH! ZOOM | Running, flying, spinning |
| **Emotion** | Thump thump, Shiver, Tingle | Heartbeat, fear, excitement |
| **Environment** | RUMBLE, SPLASH, RUSTLE | Thunder, water, wind |
| **Daily Life** | CLICK, SCREECH, DRIP, SNAP | Doors, brakes, drops, cameras |
| **Silence** | ... (dead silence) | Tense quiet |

### Sound Effect Design Rules

- **Size = Volume**: Larger text = louder sound, smaller text = quieter
- **Tilt = Speed**: Tilted text = fast movement
- **Color = Nature**: Red = destruction, Blue = cold, Yellow = electricity
- **Position = Source**: Place near the source of the sound
- **Font**: Use a different font from body text; handwritten feel recommended

## Show-Don't-Tell Principle

### Show Through Art, Don't Tell Through Dialogue

| Bad Example (Tell) | Good Example (Show) |
|--------------------|---------------------|
| "I'm so angry!" | Clenched fist, gritted teeth in close-up |
| "This place is dangerous" | Cracked walls, bloodstained signs, warning lights |
| "A lot of time has passed" | Changing seasons, grown trees, rusted objects |
| "I started to like her" | Eyes drifting toward her, flushed cheeks |
| "This is a precious object" | Trembling hands carefully clutching it |

### Emotion Visual Codes

| Emotion | Visual Code |
|---------|------------|
| **Anger** | Forehead veins, shaking frame, red background, gritted teeth |
| **Sadness** | Rain/snow overlay, dark tones, slumped posture, tears |
| **Joy** | Bright tones, flower petals/light rays, wide smile |
| **Fear** | Wide eyes, darkness, long shadows, trembling hands |
| **Surprise** | White pupils, halo effect, startled posture, sweat drops |
| **Tension** | Narrow panels, consecutive close-ups, dark-light contrast |

## Page Transition Techniques

### Scene Transition Methods

| Technique | Description | Use Case |
|-----------|-------------|----------|
| **Cut** | Immediate scene change, no connection | Time/location change |
| **Dissolve** | Two scenes overlapping in one panel | Flashback, daydream |
| **Wipe** | Diagonal/horizontal scene split | Simultaneous events |
| **Match Cut** | Object in Scene A matches object in Scene B | Metaphorical connection |
| **Color Shift** | Color change indicates time/mood shift | Past (sepia) -> Present (full color) |

## Text-Image Density Balance

| Scene Type | Text Ratio | Image Ratio | Panel Count |
|-----------|-----------|-------------|-------------|
| Action/Combat | 10-20% | 80-90% | Many small panels |
| Daily Conversation | 40-50% | 50-60% | Medium uniform panels |
| Emotional Scene | 10-20% | 80-90% | Few large panels |
| Exposition/Flashback | 30-40% | 60-70% | Narration boxes |
| Comedy | 30-40% | 60-70% | Large panel for punchline |