Expert knowledge used by the storyboarder and image-generator agents when designing comic panels and generating images.
Comics are a medium that converts time into space. Unlike film where time flows automatically, comics rely on the reader's gaze movement to create time. Panel size, shape, and arrangement are the tools for directing time and emotion.
| Pattern |
Structure |
Best For |
| Setup-Development-Twist-Punchline |
4 equal vertical panels |
Comedy, observational humor |
| Wide to Close |
Wide -> Standard -> Standard -> Close-up |
Drama, emotional emphasis |
| Zoom In |
Long shot -> Medium -> Close -> Extreme close-up |
Building tension, discovery |
| Time Jump |
Past -> Present -> Present -> Result |
Contrast, growth |
| Technique |
Panel Composition |
Effect |
| Expanded Spacing |
2-3x normal spacing between panels |
Time passage, lingering emotion |
| Full-Width Panel |
Uses entire screen width |
Impact, scene transition |
| Tall Vertical Panel |
Vertically elongated panel |
Falling, height, overwhelming scale |
| Rapid Cuts |
3-5 small panels in succession |
Fast action, tension |
| Silent Panel |
Scenery/expression with no dialogue |
Emotional space, reader interpretation |
| Angle |
Emotional Effect |
Use Case |
Prompt Keywords |
| Low Angle (looking up) |
Intimidation, authority, heroic |
Character introductions, confrontation |
"low angle shot, looking up" |
| High Angle (looking down) |
Vulnerability, isolation, overview |
Crisis, solitude |
"high angle shot, bird's eye" |
| Eye Level |
Equality, objectivity |
Conversation, daily life |
"eye level shot" |
| Dutch Angle (tilted) |
Unease, tension, confusion |
Psychological tension, danger |
"dutch angle, tilted frame" |
| Over-the-Shoulder |
Conversational tension, POV |
Dialogue, confrontation |
"over the shoulder shot" |
| POV (First Person) |
Immersion, reader = character |
Horror, discovery |
"POV shot, first person" |
Small panel = Short time (fast action, instant)
Large panel = Long time (leisure, emotion, scenery)
Borderless panel = Time freeze (daydream, flashback)
| Size |
Ratio |
Use |
| Small (1/6 page) |
15% |
Reactions, SFX, capturing a moment |
| Medium (1/4 page) |
25% |
Standard dialogue, regular actions |
| Large (1/2 page) |
50% |
Emotional moments, action highlights |
| Full (entire page) |
100% |
Establishing shots, climaxes |
| Double Spread (2 pages) |
200% |
Maximum impact, battle panoramas |
-> -> -> ->
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<- <- <- <-
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-> -> -> ->
<- <- <- <-
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-> -> -> ->
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<- <- <- <-
- Entry Point: Where the reader's eyes land first on each page — place the most important information here
- Gaze Path: Character gaze direction should point toward the next panel
- Bubble Order: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right (for left-to-right reading languages)
- Action Direction: Rightward motion = advance/progress; leftward = retreat/flashback
| Rhythm Pattern |
Panel Composition |
Effect |
| Strong-Weak-Strong-Weak |
Large-Small-Large-Small |
Stable, conversation scenes |
| Weak-Weak-Weak-STRONG! |
Small-Small-Small-Full page |
Tension buildup -> explosion |
| Strong-Weak-Weak-Weak |
Large opening -> small progression |
Scene transition then detail |
| Even |
All same size |
Uniform time flow, daily life |
| Decreasing |
Large -> Medium -> Small -> Small |
Zoom in, focus |
| Increasing |
Small -> Small -> Medium -> Large |
Zoom out, scale expansion |
[Style] [Angle] [Composition]. [Character description]. [Action/Expression].
[Background/Environment]. [Lighting]. [Emotion/Atmosphere].
[Text instruction: dialogue text or NO TEXT]
Manga style, medium shot, slightly low angle.
A young woman with short black hair in a lab coat,
looking surprised with wide eyes, holding a broken test tube.
Modern laboratory background with blue LED lighting.
Dramatic side lighting, tense atmosphere.
NO TEXT in the image.