Any tips for writing a silent comic?

ar-ninetysix 2018-07-31 01:04:01 UTC #1

I wanna make a short series (maybe 10 chapters or so) about a woman and her dog through a zombie apocalypse. I don't exactly know why, but I have a strong urge to make it a silent comic. As much as I like giving my characters dialogue, I wanna try doing this. Showing intentions without saying a word sounds fascinating to me.

If you've read any silent comics on Webtoon or Tapas, please leave a link! I might need some references on how to do it properly. And even then, I wanna have some new reads so... The only one I've read was 150 Days by KnightJJ, and I thought it pretty fantastic. I forgot who recommended it to me on here, but uhhh, thanks a bunch! So yeah, if any of you have written a silent comic, do you have any tips for writing one?

silverraven0 2018-07-31 01:09:32 UTC #2

I don't have a comic or comic recommendation, but I made a silence comic draft a few times (that didn't have the chance to see the sunshine yet).

Since you don't want to make a dialogue, making the expression and feeling of your characters is very important. Just make sure every action and facial expression is clearly portraying the feeling of your characters. And make the atmosphere right.

VibrantFox 2018-07-31 01:10:11 UTC #3

the first one that comes to mind would be the shape of things by samantha davies

fleohr 2018-07-31 01:19:20 UTC #4

These are all I can remember now

joannekwan 2018-07-31 07:08:54 UTC #5

The biggest tip is, focus on facial expressions and body language. As an exercise mute a show or movie and you can see how much is emoted through these things, and how camera work, lighting, etc. support the moods as well.
As for examples, this is my favorite series of silent shorts on Tap!

And this is a completely silent retelling of the little mermaid!

As for physical books, I highly recommend The Arrival by Shaun Tan, completely wordless with stunning graphite art!

Tulmut 2018-07-31 13:55:12 UTC #6

Visual only, story telling mediums like silent comic require you to pack as much information as you can into each panel. Layout and color are other great ways to set tone and convey action or emotions without words.

ar-ninetysix 2018-07-31 14:17:57 UTC #7

@silverraven0 @VibrantFox @fleohr @joannekwan @Tulmut
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm sure these will all be great reference points on how to handle my comic!

As for the tips on expressions, body language, perspective shots, lighting.. This is all stuff that I kinda figured would be necessary... Oh, well. No worries, the fact that you guys mentioned these things only reinforces the idea that these aspects of a silent comic are important. Sooo.. thanks anyways! Outside of that, it's really not so different from writing a normal comic, is it?

silverraven0 2018-07-31 14:50:42 UTC #8

Yes. Just no words and more expressive action and atmosphere. Hope you did it good .