How do you read a page with a panel-layout like this?
I'm working on a script right now, and it occurred to me that I almost never use vertical panels like this, because I've never understood how to approach them as a reader (unless there's some super obvious sequence of word-bubbles to guide the eye).
Thoughts?
I always read the way on the right side. But I imagine that in most cases, the people who do this leave it ambiguous which one comes first (2 or 3 / 3 or 2).
I read like the right side. Unless there's super obvious different flow
>>82424094
>>82424137
Same here
There was some chat about this on twitter last week. My conclusion is that generally you should just avoid that setup entirely but if there's a way that you can make it clear which order they should be read in (by increasing the gutter space, directing via art/letting, etc) then you can try it.
I don't think I have a particular preference how I would read it without art context too though. When I've run into it in actual comics it usually throws me off for a moment because it doesn't flow but it's usually not that hard to figure out.
Right.
You should read the Scott McCloud books, he goes over panel layouts and such.
Whenever I come across a layout like that, whatever way I initially THINK is the correct way to read it, is inevitably wrong.
![lone-wolf-and-cub-1618370[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/fAC7xrm.jpg "lone-wolf-and-cub-1618370[1].jpg")
I read it based on the direction that 1 flows.
Offset your panel borders if it matters.
And in some cases, you want it to flow simultaneously to 2 and 3 at the same time.
Pic related. It's a giseki koijimia pic I pulled up for the Frank Miller thread, but it's appropriate here.
I always read it the way on the right, which is kinda standard practice. The issue though us that comic neophytes might get lost.
Frankly, I say use it sparingly. But there is always a good use for tall panels. But if I am doing a tall panel, I try to keep it on the left hand side of the page.
Think of it this way. In >>82424001 the right side makes most sense because if you flipped it horizontally, pic related is how you would read it.
>>82424459
That's probably a good rule of thumb.
>>82424193
You indicate order by having the contents of each panel direct the viewer's eye across the page.
>>82424001
I always read it like the right side as well. I don't really remember seeing any comics with a layout like the left unless it had like arrows or something.
