Comic Terminology Glossary: Essential Terms Every Creator Should Know
Learn the language of comics with this comprehensive glossary. From panels to gutters, bleeds to splash pages—understand what it all means.
Comics have their own vocabulary. Whether you’re reading tutorials, talking with other creators, or submitting to publishers, knowing these terms helps you communicate clearly and understand industry discussions. This glossary covers essential terminology across comics, manga, and webtoons.
Page Anatomy
Panel
A single frame containing an image. The basic building block of comics. Panels are typically bordered by lines (borders) and separated by gutters.
Gutter
The space between panels. This is where reader imagination fills in the gap between moments. Wider gutters slow pacing; narrower gutters speed it up.
Bleed
When art extends beyond the trim line to the edge of the page. Bleed ensures no white edges appear if trimming is slightly off. Most comics require 1/8” (3mm) bleed.
Trim Line
The line where the page will be cut during printing. Art in the bleed area may be cut off.
Safe Zone / Live Area
The area inside the trim line where important elements (text, faces, crucial details) must stay. Typically 1/4” (6mm) inside trim line.
Margin
The white space between page edges and content. Provides breathing room and ensures nothing important gets cut during binding.
Spread
Two facing pages designed as a single unit. Art can span both pages for maximum impact.
Splash Page
A single image taking up an entire page. Used for dramatic moments, reveals, or establishing shots.
Double-Page Spread (DPS)
A single image spanning two facing pages. The most impactful layout option in print comics.
Panel Types
Establishing Shot
A wide panel showing location, setting context for following scenes. Often used at scene beginnings.
Close-up
Panel focusing tightly on a subject, usually a face. Shows emotion, important details.
Medium Shot
Panel showing character from roughly waist up. Balances character and environment.
Wide Shot / Long Shot
Panel showing full figure(s) within their environment. Establishes spatial relationships.
Inset Panel
A small panel placed within a larger panel. Shows detail or reaction without interrupting main image.
Silent Panel
Panel without dialogue or text. Emphasizes visual storytelling.
Beat Panel
A panel showing a pause in action or dialogue. Creates timing and rhythm in sequences.
Text Elements
Speech Bubble / Balloon
Container for dialogue. The tail (pointer) indicates who’s speaking.
Thought Bubble
Cloud-shaped bubble for internal thoughts. Less common in modern comics, replaced by caption boxes.
Caption Box
Rectangle containing narration, internal monologue, or scene-setting text.
Sound Effect (SFX)
Visual representation of sounds (CRASH, whisper, BOOM). Often stylized to match the sound’s character.
Burst Bubble
Jagged-edged speech bubble indicating shouting, excitement, or emphasis.
Whisper Bubble
Dashed-outline bubble indicating quiet speech.
Emanata
Visual symbols showing emotion or state: sweat drops (nervousness), hearts (love), spirals (confusion), etc.
Lettering
The art of placing and styling text in comics. Includes font choice, balloon placement, and sound effect design.
Production Terms
Pencils
The initial drawings, typically in pencil or blue line. The rough art before inking.
Inks
The finalized linework over pencils. Creates the clean black lines of finished comic art.
Colors / Coloring
Adding color to inked art. Can be done traditionally or digitally.
Flats
The first pass of coloring, laying down base colors in each area without shading.
Renders
The shading, highlights, and effects added on top of flats. Creates dimension and polish.
Screentone / Tones
Patterns (usually dots) used to create gray values in black-and-white comics. Especially common in manga. Can be physical adhesive sheets or digital.
Halftone
The dot pattern created when printing gray values. Related to but distinct from screentone.
Inking Style
- Clean line: Consistent line weight, minimal texture
- Feathering: Lines tapering to create tone/shadow
- Cross-hatching: Overlapping lines creating darker values
- Brush work: Variable line weight typical of brush inks
Spot Blacks
Large areas of solid black, strategically placed for visual weight and contrast.
Story Structure
Story Arc
A complete narrative thread with beginning, middle, and end. A series may contain multiple arcs.
Chapter
A segment of a longer work, often corresponding to a single issue or episode.
Issue
A single installment of a serialized comic, typically 20-32 pages in American comics.
Volume / Tankobon
A collected edition containing multiple chapters or issues. Manga volumes are typically called tankobon.
One-Shot
A complete story in a single issue or chapter. Self-contained rather than serialized.
Webcomic
Comics published primarily online, often in ongoing series format.
Webtoon
Specifically refers to vertical-scroll comics optimized for mobile reading. Originated in South Korea.
Graphic Novel
A long-form comic, typically telling a complete story in a single volume rather than serialized installments.
Creative Roles
Writer
Creates the story, dialogue, and script.
Penciller / Artist
Creates the initial art/drawings.
Inker
Finalizes linework over pencils.
Colorist
Adds color to finished linework.
Letterer
Places text, designs speech bubbles and sound effects.
Editor
Oversees production, provides feedback, ensures quality and consistency.
Mangaka
Japanese term for manga creator. Often handles all creative roles (writing, art, etc.).
Flatter
Colors flat areas as the first step before detailed coloring/rendering.
Format & Publishing
Single Issue / Floppy
Individual comic books, typically 20-32 pages, sold periodically.
Trade Paperback (TPB)
Collected edition of multiple issues in paperback format.
Hardcover (HC)
Collected edition with hardback binding, often including extras.
Omnibus
Large collection containing many issues or volumes in one oversized book.
Serialization
Publishing a story in regular installments (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Syndication
Distribution of comics through newspapers or multiple platforms simultaneously.
Digital First
Comics published digitally before any print version.
Manga-Specific Terms
Manga
Japanese comics. Read right-to-left in original format.
Manhwa
Korean comics. Typically read left-to-right.
Manhua
Chinese comics.
Shounen
Manga targeting young male readers (age 12-18). Action-focused.
Shoujo
Manga targeting young female readers. Often romance-focused.
Seinen
Manga targeting adult male readers. More mature themes.
Josei
Manga targeting adult female readers. Realistic relationships.
Chibi
Super-deformed style with exaggerated proportions (large heads, small bodies). Used for comedic moments.
Bishonen
“Beautiful boy” - male character designs emphasizing attractiveness.
Isekai
Genre where protagonist is transported to another world.
Doujinshi
Self-published manga, often fan-created works based on existing series.
Light Novel
Japanese novel format often adapted to manga. Features illustrations.
Visual Storytelling Terms
Composition
How elements are arranged within a panel for visual effect.
Eye Line
The direction characters are looking, guiding reader attention.
Leading Lines
Visual elements that guide the reader’s eye through an image.
Rule of Thirds
Compositional guideline placing important elements at intersection points of a 3×3 grid.
Negative Space
Empty space in a composition. Can create emphasis or breathing room.
Foreground/Background
Spatial layers in an image. Foreground is closest to viewer; background is farthest.
Depth of Field
Making elements at different distances appear sharper or blurrier.
Speed Lines
Lines suggesting motion direction and speed. Common in action manga.
Action Lines
Radiating lines emphasizing impact or dramatic moments.
Industry Terms
Pitch
A proposal for a new comic project presented to publishers.
Submission Guidelines
Publisher requirements for accepting pitches or manuscripts.
Work-for-Hire
Creating content where the publisher owns the intellectual property.
Creator-Owned
Work where the creator(s) retain ownership of characters and story.
Page Rate
Payment per finished page of comic art.
Advance
Upfront payment against future royalties.
Royalties
Ongoing percentage of sales paid to creators.
Print Run
Number of copies printed for an edition.
Direct Market
Comic book specialty stores, served by distributors like Diamond.
Newsstand
General retailers selling comics (grocery stores, bookshops, etc.).
Technical Terms
DPI / PPI
Dots/pixels per inch. Print typically requires 300+ DPI; web can use 72-150 DPI.
CMYK
Color mode for print (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black).
RGB
Color mode for screens (Red, Green, Blue).
Vector
Scalable graphics that maintain quality at any size.
Raster
Pixel-based graphics with fixed resolution.
Resolution
Image dimensions in pixels (e.g., 2400×3600 for print comics).
Aspect Ratio
Proportional relationship between width and height.
Using This Vocabulary
Knowing these terms helps you:
- Follow tutorials: Understand instructions without confusion
- Communicate with collaborators: Speak the same language
- Submit professionally: Use correct terminology in pitches
- Learn faster: Access discussions and resources that use industry vocabulary
Bookmark this glossary and reference it as you encounter unfamiliar terms in your comic-making journey.
Ready to put these terms into practice? Multic makes comic creation accessible with visual tools for building panels, adding dialogue, and collaborating with others.
Related: Comics for Beginners and How to Make a Comic