comic-universal-operating-rule

name	comic-universal-operating-rule
version	1.2.0
category	comic-core
description	The foundational input contract, story derivation method, and quality principles that apply to every comic generation skill in the system.

Comic Universal Operating Rule

Core principle: Style is rigid. Story is image-derived. Quality is non-negotiable.

This skill defines the shared foundation that every comic skill in this system must follow.

When to Use

• As the mandatory first step before applying any style-specific skill
• When creating new comic generation skills
• When auditing or improving existing comic output
• When building consistency layers or pipelines

Framework

1. INPUT CONTRACT

• Accept one reference image per primary character (1–3 characters; one subject per image preferred — a single multi-person image is acceptable if each subject is clearly distinct)
• Extract only visible, non-sensitive visual cues:
  • Hairstyle, face shape, outfit silhouette, posture, expression
  • Mood palette, visible props, environment hints
• Never infer identity, ethnicity, age, health, religion, personality, profession, or social class
• Redraw each subject as a completely original comic character in the target style
• With 2+ characters, also extract the RELATIONSHIP CUE (see comic-story-derivation) — the visible dynamic between subjects, never an inferred real-world relationship

2. STORY DERIVATION (Image-Driven)

Silently extract four cues from the reference before generating:

Cue	Purpose	Example Questions
MOOD CUE	Emotional tone of the moment	What feeling does the pose/expression suggest? (calm, bold, curious, weary, joyful, contemplative, determined…)
WARDROBE CUE	Character archetype & era/vibe	What silhouette/era/vibe does the outfit imply? (casual, formal, athletic, cozy, edgy, elegant…)
SETTING CUE	Environment that supports the mood	Any visible environment hint? If none, choose one that naturally complements wardrobe + mood
PROP/COMPANION CUE	Small storytelling anchor	Any visible object, animal, or accessory? If none, invent one small companion or object that fits the mood and style

Rule: The story must feel like it grew out of this specific image, not a fixed template.

3. STRUCTURAL CONTRACT (Default: 3-Panel Horizontal)

• Default output: One wide horizontal image (16:9 or 21:9 preferred) with exactly 3 horizontal panels, left to right
• Default narrative arc: Panel 1 SETUP → Panel 2 REINFORCE → Panel 3 TURNAROUND
  • Turnaround must be emotionally satisfying and tonally appropriate to the style
• Sanctioned variation: a project contract locked by comic-producer may select an alternative format from comic-format-library (4-koma, webtoon scroll, single-panel, grid, chapter) and an alternative beat pattern from comic-narrative-patterns (kishōtenketsu, gag escalation, slow-burn reveal, parallel action, silent strip). Absent a locked contract, the default applies — there is no freeform middle ground
• Character consistency across all panels (face, hair, outfit silhouette, line quality)
• Dialogue: 1–2 short bubbles per panel max (~8 words each)
• No extra captions, titles, sound effects (unless style or format explicitly permits), signs, mastheads, watermarks, or random letters

4. QUALITY CHECK (Run Silently Before Final Render)

• Panel count, orientation, and aspect match the locked format (default: 3 horizontal panels, wide)
• Style rules fully obeyed throughout
• Character remains consistent across panels
• Story clearly grew from the image's four cues
• The locked beat pattern (default: Setup → Reinforce → Turnaround) is readable at a glance
• Ending is tonally appropriate for the chosen style
• Only permitted text appears — nothing else

Integration Notes

• Every style skill (retro-hand-inked-manga-comic, gekiga-cinematic-manga, etc.) must explicitly reference this rule
• Consistency engines and pipeline skills should build on top of this contract
• Format and pattern variation is governed by comic-format-library and comic-narrative-patterns, selected through the comic-direction layer

Related Skills

• comic-structural-contract
• comic-quality-gates
• comic-story-derivation
• comic-format-library
• comic-narrative-patterns
• comic-character-consistency-system

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This is the root contract. All artistic ability in the system rests on disciplined adherence to these rules.