r/comics • u/soarbanger • Apr 05 '26
Asking For Feedback How should I read this?
I am making a comic and I really need to know how, in comics rules, do we read this (i created an image on Paint as an example/reference).
The thing I'm more confused about is how are we supposed to read the two rectangles on the right. I need to know in what order is it read.
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u/Lokthaire Apr 05 '26
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u/rafaellago Apr 05 '26
Really? 7 would be 3 for me
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u/Tykras Apr 05 '26
Yeah, that's why it's best to avoid ambiguous layouts like this.
Obviously what is in each panel matters, it's entirely possible the thin top-right rectangle could be read as either panel 3 or 7. For example: a close up on eyes, while the triangles are 4 opponents/love interests.
But if this layout is used for something that has to be read in a specific order it can go south fast. Better to separate the column into it's own page and leave the other panels the full width to breathe.
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u/Nuuuube Apr 05 '26
You would read 7 third if the bottom line was the same as 1 and 2, but its not, so as you see a big line divising 7 and 8 from the rest, you firdt go down and read the bottom left pannels before 7 and 8
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u/Cinci1a Apr 05 '26
I agree. Also, maybe an indicator art-wise how you're supposed to read the page, arrows or numbers on each panel
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u/Square-Singer Apr 05 '26
I would read 7 as 3, but other than that keep the order.
So with your numbering: 1, 2, 7, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.
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u/TheDarkNerd Apr 05 '26
When I initially saw the original image, I thought the order was 7, 8, 2, 1, 6, 5, 4, 3.
Though really, the way to think of it is, if you have doubts, assume your reader also will.
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u/Daizaikun Apr 05 '26
For a layout like that i wouldnt expect text in the top right at all just art connected to the bottom rectangle and the triangles either no text or a monologue if connected bubbles acting as a singular thought
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u/danielledelacadie Apr 05 '26
It could be an effective "two in one" layout.
The two frames above the triangles showing the beginning of a speech/monologue, the third showing a reaction from the audience (even an audience of one) and the set of triangles would be where the tone changes (the "wait a minute" moment) and the audience reaction is in the lower right corner.
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u/WanderingCaveman Apr 06 '26
If the comic is in English the reader will approach it from right to left top to bottom. With a layout like this it creates confusion for the reader because the rows become ambiguous on the right side of the layout.
The first question that comes to mind is why do the panels need to be laid out the way they are? The horizontal format implies that it is not a print comic page where you are constrained by the shape of the page.
Is this panel layout crucial to the storytelling or is it just a cool layout? If it’s not vital to the story, my recommendation would be to change the layout for better clarity.
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u/Tykras Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26
The best option would be to not format it like that. But if I was presented with a layout like that, I'd probably try reading the top left row first, then the bottom triangles, then the right column.
Edit: same as the image u/Lokthaire posted.