Aalif
What would you suggest for an introduction panel? Would you deal with that as you would a normal page or how would you go about it?
It depends on how you're writing the story. Some people will start with a long-shot of scenery to establish the setting, and some with a large action sequence. I remember in the first volume of
Dragon Knights that the first panel was a simple comedic medium body-shot of one character yelling at the others to quit eating. It was direct, but it gave up-front insight into what the characters were going to be like.
So the introduction panel is important, obviously, and it should be based on which way you want your readers to perceive your story. Generally, the first pages are somewhat large panels, to give plenty of space for the reader to see into the world/school/person/whatever, and because a bunch of normal or small panels on the pages may confuse the reader. I've seen some comics break this tradition well, and a lot that should have thought thrice about it.
This is all based on the assumption that confusing readers is a bad thing. Oftentimes confused readers discontinue reading, and nobody wants that.Also remember that first impressions will impact the reader almost permanently, so starting off with the main character doing something that is out-of-the-norm for him or her might give the wrong impression and confuse the readers.
One example that could defy this would be if you have the character hanging in a group, wearing masks and doing something of a less-than-respectable nature. The character could dismiss himself, and when out of sight of the others removes his mask and take on the persona of regret. That might work.
You just have to think about how you want your audience to think about your characters and settings, and all that, then work around it. If you want them to know first that it's the sunrise of a grand new day in a fantasy world, start with that. If you want them to get in the middle of a big chase of a cowardly kid running away from a dog, then go with that. A good start is what you make it.
Reply
