Black Speech Bubbles

[Zixixibi]

Do black speech bubbles typically signify anything important? IIRC sometimes I see black speech bubbles used for someone menacing or during flashbacks, but can they be used just normally?

For this panel, compositionally and artistically I like black better than white. But I want to check in and see what other comic artists and readers think since how you format a speech bubble can also often affect what it means.

[pinxfoxx]

I think it could depend on how you use black bubbles usually otherwise in your comic.

[WorldBreakerNovels]

Honestly, it has a more artistic feel when used correctly. My artist traditionally uses it when a strong, or non-human character speaks.

I have to have him redo some of them due to how difficult they are to read, but they make the scene seem more intimidating, if anything.

[llobucervallince]

Yeah the color and shape of the bubbles are up to the artist choice,
For example a dicontinued line for whispering

Square shape for narration + different colors for different people

[NickRowler]

I mostly see black bubbles for demons or monsters. I have also seen it for showing text on a monitor.

[abigaillmartin]

I use them for when a scene is in a dark place or at night.

[ThunderChicken]

I've seen them used for interna dialogue when the character is having dark thoughts (self loathing, etc)

[thepenmonster]

It needs more context to say in this case

[julias_art_universe]

typically they are used for darker scenes (I associate them with evil characters)

[moontokkym]

Personnally I've used black (and specifically shaped) speech bubbles for nightmares.

And also dark blue ones when someone talking in the scene flips into voice over to show the bubbles aren't from someone currently speaking in the scene but echoing in the active character's memory.

Either way they're bubble languages I'm establishing as part of my comic, you can usually do what you want as long as you're consistent with it.

[Gen_Atto]

I use them for the bad guy.
It gives him a distinctive "voice".

[Lensing]

As a reader I only like white or yellow speech bubbles.
Most artwork could be better if the artist had a contrast between light and dark
and not dark and even darker and black speech bubbles would make that even worse

It does work in the example that @moontokkym uploaded because it´s a black and white image and there is enough
white in the image for contrast

[ILGOART]

This is a great example for its use. Thanks for sharing.