Comic Book Lettering Conventions Explained

Logan Westbrook

Transform, Roll Out, Etc
Feb 21, 2008
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Comic Book Lettering Conventions Explained


Ever wondered why comic books needed someone just to do the lettering? Well, it turns out it's a lot more complicated than you might think.

The lettering in comic books can add a surprising amount of atmosphere to a comic, conveying not only nuances in dialogue, but also grant insights into character. From the fourth-wall-breaking yellow speech bubbles of Deadpool to Todd Klein's inspired creations in Neil Gaiman's seminal Sandman comics, lettering is a fine art whose secrets are beyond the ken of mortals.

Until now that is! An article on Blambot.com [http://www.blambot.com/grammar.shtml], a site that provides comic book fonts, reveals the various conventions used in comic book lettering, explaining the recommended length of tails on speech bubbles, the proper use of crossbars on "I's" and a whole load more.

It's an interesting read, and gives an insight into something that most of us have probably never even spared a thought.

Source: via Boing Boing [http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/08/typographic-conventi.html]



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Mstrswrd

Always playing Touhou. Always.
Mar 2, 2008
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Huh, interesting. I'll have to show this to my RA. He's the comic book guy, after all.
 

noileum

New member
Feb 5, 2009
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now I have a reason to spend even more time making some awful home made comics :)

Just what I needed, productivity levels dropping further than ever