Graphic Novel Gutter Definition

The space between the panels.

Graphic novel gutter definition.

The space between framed panels. A visual or implied boundary and the contents within it that tell a piece of the story. Gutter the gutter is the space between panels. The gutter is the space between two panels within a comic strip or comic book.

At its simplest form the gutter is a blank space that separates two panels. The number and size of panels often directly implies meaning. Non sequitur gutter sometimes it might appear themesno logical relationshipbetween panels used to make a point. A distinct segment of a graphic novel.

If one were to look at a comic they would see empty space between the panels that contain the illustrations and dialogue of the text. As comic book scholar scott mccloud explains the gutter is used to take two separate images and transform them into a single idea mccloud 1993 p. Content panels can either be word panels image panels or a combination of word and image panels. A graphic novel is a book made up of comics content.

Panels also may be used for different purposes. An image that extends to and or beyond the edge of the page. Monnin s 2010 graphic novel vocabulary the basics. B c these gutters ask readers to think about the feelings or emotions being convyed from 1panel to another comparable to tone mood.

As the reader moves from one panel to the next they predict and conclude what is happening. Although the word novel normally refers to long fictional works the term graphic novel is applied broadly and includes fiction non fiction and anthologized work it is at least in the united states distinguished from the term comic book which is generally used for comics periodicals see american comic book. As a forewarning i will use the term frame. In the comic world this space is known as the gutter.

This is an obvious observation that has not so obvious implications. This blank space creates a transition from one moment to the next within a story. The panel closest to the viewer.