visual-narrative

name	visual-narrative
description	A visual narrative skill used by the dialogue-writer and comic-editor agents. Provides speech bubble systems, sound effect typography, Show-Don't-Tell principles, and visual metaphor techniques. Used for 'speech bubbles,' 'sound effects,' 'visual storytelling,' 'comic direction,' and related topics.

Visual Narrative — Visual Narrative Methodology

Expert knowledge used by the dialogue-writer and comic-editor agents when integrating dialogue and visual elements.

Why Visual Narrative Matters

In comics, dialogue accounts for only about 30% of the storytelling. The remaining 70% is conveyed through art, composition, expressions, sound effects, and white space. The less dialogue, the stronger the comic.

Speech Bubble System

Speech Bubble Types

Type	Shape	Use	Prompt Instruction
Normal Dialogue	Rounded ellipse	Regular conversation	"speech bubble"
Thought	Cloud shape	Inner monologue	"thought bubble, cloud shape"
Shout/Emphasis	Explosion/Jagged	Loud voice, anger	"burst speech bubble, jagged"
Whisper	Dashed ellipse	Low voice	"dashed speech bubble, whisper"
Electronic Voice	Rectangular border	Phone, broadcast, AI	"rectangular speech box"
Narration	Rectangular box (top)	Commentary, time markers	"narration box, caption"
Emotion Symbol	Symbol only	?, !, ..., heart	Symbols without bubbles

Speech Bubble Placement Rules

1. Reading order: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right (for left-to-right languages)
2. Tail direction: The bubble tail points toward the speaker's mouth
3. No obstruction: Bubbles must not cover important visual elements
4. Maximum 3: No more than 3 speech bubbles per panel (split panel if exceeded)
5. Use blank space: Placing bubbles in the top third of the panel is most natural

Sound Effect Typography

Sound Effect Library

Category	Examples	Context
Impact	WHAM! CRASH! BAM! THUD!	Punches, collisions, explosions
Movement	WHOOSH~ SWISH! ZOOM	Running, flying, spinning
Emotion	Thump thump, Shiver, Tingle	Heartbeat, fear, excitement
Environment	RUMBLE, SPLASH, RUSTLE	Thunder, water, wind
Daily Life	CLICK, SCREECH, DRIP, SNAP	Doors, brakes, drops, cameras
Silence	... (dead silence)	Tense quiet

Sound Effect Design Rules

• Size = Volume: Larger text = louder sound, smaller text = quieter
• Tilt = Speed: Tilted text = fast movement
• Color = Nature: Red = destruction, Blue = cold, Yellow = electricity
• Position = Source: Place near the source of the sound
• Font: Use a different font from body text; handwritten feel recommended

Show-Don't-Tell Principle

Show Through Art, Don't Tell Through Dialogue

Bad Example (Tell)	Good Example (Show)
"I'm so angry!"	Clenched fist, gritted teeth in close-up
"This place is dangerous"	Cracked walls, bloodstained signs, warning lights
"A lot of time has passed"	Changing seasons, grown trees, rusted objects
"I started to like her"	Eyes drifting toward her, flushed cheeks
"This is a precious object"	Trembling hands carefully clutching it

Emotion Visual Codes

Emotion	Visual Code
Anger	Forehead veins, shaking frame, red background, gritted teeth
Sadness	Rain/snow overlay, dark tones, slumped posture, tears
Joy	Bright tones, flower petals/light rays, wide smile
Fear	Wide eyes, darkness, long shadows, trembling hands
Surprise	White pupils, halo effect, startled posture, sweat drops
Tension	Narrow panels, consecutive close-ups, dark-light contrast

Page Transition Techniques

Scene Transition Methods

Technique	Description	Use Case
Cut	Immediate scene change, no connection	Time/location change
Dissolve	Two scenes overlapping in one panel	Flashback, daydream
Wipe	Diagonal/horizontal scene split	Simultaneous events
Match Cut	Object in Scene A matches object in Scene B	Metaphorical connection
Color Shift	Color change indicates time/mood shift	Past (sepia) -> Present (full color)

Text-Image Density Balance

Scene Type	Text Ratio	Image Ratio	Panel Count
Action/Combat	10-20%	80-90%	Many small panels
Daily Conversation	40-50%	50-60%	Medium uniform panels
Emotional Scene	10-20%	80-90%	Few large panels
Exposition/Flashback	30-40%	60-70%	Narration boxes
Comedy	30-40%	60-70%	Large panel for punchline