After the feedback I got back from Kyle and the class I have decided to transform my e-book into an e-comic! I think this idea will work well and I think it will work better for kids. It will still have the e-book layout and it will read like one on a screen. I started by doing some research into the big comic book companies to see what their layout looks like. I did this because I have never read comics before so I am very unfamiliar with the layout so this was great
Marvel Comics
I was surprised to see the layout of these comic books. I wasn’t aware that there were various shapes of squares and rectangles, and how the page is very busy and there is lots going on. I like the separated sections, it makes for an interesting read but also makes it easier to read. I like the addition of speech bubbles and the meanwhile… parts. This comic books are so well known and loved for generations and I can see why people enjoy reading them, there is an equal balance of text and illustrations, making me want to flick to the next page.
Who are marvel?
Marvel Comics has been the top dog in comic book publishing recently, because of its well-received high-profile movies, strong sales, and popular characters. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has helped bring in new readers and has kept the spotlight on superheroes as a medium.
DC Comics
I wanted to look at another high contender when it comes to comic books so I then found out that 2nd to marvel is DC comics. I researched some images to see how the layout differed to Marvel and got what I wanted to know. The layout to me isn’t as clear and easily read as the marvel ones, its a little more chaotic but perhaps that is just he darker tones that is throwing me off. I think it is a really cool layout but I am unsure if I want my e-book to be so bold and out there. This appears t one for a much older age and looks quite intense.
Who are DC Comics?
Alongside Marvel, DC Comics is the other of the “Big Two” comic book publishers. It has a bevy of characters with near godlike powers that were some of the first that comics had to offer. Its trinity—Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman—are some of the most well-known and iconic superheroes out there today, making their first cinematic appearance together in 2015.
Dark Horse comics
I found when researching another comic brand that the style does continue to stay similar however there are changes in each one, making them unique. I think that this one in particular is more panels going across which is easy to read, however the varying layers add depth but can be quite confusing was an on-looker. I think that this approach of background and foreground panels will not work for me and I don’t think I will be using this idea. But, I really enjoyed looking into this brand of comics and reading some snippets.
Who are Dark Horse comics?
Dark Horse first became known for its licensed properties: “Star Wars,” “Aliens,” “Predator,” and others. Since then it has become well known for its creator-owned series: “Hellboy,” “The Goon,” “Sin City,” “Groo,” “The Umbrella Academy,” and more.
Why was this helpful?
- I got to explore comics, I have never done this before, it was interesting to see the layout
- I got inspiration for my own layout of my e-book/comic
- I feel more confident in turning my e-book in to a more comic layout with this knew knowledge I have
- I looked into more than one comic brand, because there are so many different styles and layouts, so this widened my outlook
What is my next step?
The next step for me is to begin to look at my e-book and start fixing the layout to make it look like a comic book, this means I have to chop up the pages and add panelling. I am glad I looked into so many comic series because I have a wider knowledge base and feel more adventurous now. I am going to do this on Figma and then put my prototype into an ipad screen to see how it works/reads.