The basic theory of speech bubbles
Before we learn how to create speech bubbles, let’s think a little about where to place them.
It is important to consider speech bubbles and text boxes as part of a manga panel and its composition on a page. Even as early as the sketching stage, we need to think of these elements as part of the composition along with the characters and environment.
This means that, first of all, the text (and the panels they are a part of) must be in an order that’s easy to follow. This may seem obvious, but it makes a big difference to how people read your comic. Who is replying to who? Are the characters speaking before, during, or after the action shown in the artwork? Is it clear, from one panel to another, how much time has passed? Reading is, after all, a linear experience, and it’s important that we handle the flow of information to the reader effectively.
Perhaps more important, though, is to consider the impact of text boxes...
