(can’t see the images in facebook/email, view it here: http://atomicbearpress.com/2010/04/11/comicformatquestion/ )
Now that our comic work will most likely appear in multiple formats: print, web, ipad, iphone/ipod touch, Motion Comics, cel phone, e-book reader what is the best format to aim for first?
There is…..
1) Standard Comic Book Format (portrait aspect ratio).
Pros: Works good for print and on correctly formatted screens like the new iPad from Apple. The print copy might sell better in Comic Book Stores.
Cons: Posting it on the web requires the user to possible scroll up and down which could take away from the experience. For smaller screens like the iPhone, the page might need to broken up into single panels.
2) Web format comics (landscape aspect ratio)
Pros: Works good on monitor screens with out scrolling around.
Cons: Harder to print as a book. For smaller screens like the iPhone, the page might need to broken up into single panels.
(example: Travis Hanson’s The Bean. It looks great on screen and the printed books are nice but might take more work to create)
the bean page 100 by *thebeanbytrav on deviantART
3) Panel by Panel (web format) Each panel is a separate illustration which is then can be edited into a page layout if desired.
Pros: Panels are ready for digital formats like cel phones and the iPhone. Can be edited into a comic page if desired. Feels like a picture book or a story board/animation that is reveled as you scroll downwards or sideways. Can control how the reader sees the work since they focus on only one page at a time. Easier to make into Motion Comic.
Cons: Still might have to edit it into a page for print. Would produced full page layouts that are pretty un-dynamic based on their standard shapes. Story telling can possibly go slower paced then a full page of comic. The reader has less control how the view the information since they only see one panel at a time.
(example: Derik Kirk Kim’s The Tune. Cinematic, looks great on screen, can control how the reader see’s your vision more so.)
44) Square.
Pros: Nice, friendly format. Feels like a childrens picture book. Stands out as different then a standard comic. Looks pretty good aspect ratio wise on computer screen.
Cons: Might be harder to print and format for some smaller screen media like the iPhone.
(example: Mouse Guard and Jim Hennson’s Fraggle Rock from http://www.archaia.com)
Are there other formats to consider as a starting place? Which one do you like?
