Graphic Narrative Gutters

The space between the panels.

Graphic narrative gutters.

This basic way of storytelling has been used in various forms for centuries early cave drawings. A tier is a singular row of panels. Graphic novels can be any genre and tell any kind of story just like their prose counterparts. Monnin s 2010 graphic novel vocabulary the basics.

Although others agree with chute s use of the term graphic narrative and include comic books and manga as well in their definition gardner herman 2011 labio 2011 states that the term. To be considered a graphic novel rather than a picture book or illustrated novel the story is told using a combination of words and pictures in a sequence across the page. This thesis is about the significance of the gutter in graphic narrative. The gutter sometimes occupies more space than the panels and actively contributes to the narrative in various ways.

Visual or implied boundary and the contents within it that tells a piece of the story. First i will delve into the surface of the physical appearance of the gutter its function as a frame and a passe partout and inevitably how this affects the way we look at the gutter through the image and sequential art. As the reader moves from one panel to the next they predict and conclude what is happening. A visual or implied boundary and the contents within it that tell a piece of the story.

I will look at this empty space between the panels and how it works and relates to the narrative. Reader moves from one panel to the next and comes to a conclusion about whats happening. Graphic narrative through its most basic composition in frames and gutters in which it is able to gesture at the pacing and rhythm of reading and looking through the various structures of each. Vertical gutters can be made thinner than horizontal gutters in order to encourage the reader to group each row of panels for easier reading.

The gutter is the space between panels. Gutter the space between the panels. In some cases it is used to express the duration of time and or changes of location by its length. A distinctively long gutter implies a long span of time or major change of scene.