The comic emerges as one of the first means of communication of masses. It is characterized by narrating events with static representations through illustrations combined with texts to offer an explanation of what is exposed in the image.
To create these comics digitally you can use the Comic Life tool, an easy-to-access program that allows you to comfortably perform comic with bullets and other elements.
Everything you need to know about Comic Life
- It is an application to create comics from the PC.
- To download it you must: open your default browser, look for the official comic life page, select the Get Comic Life option, 3 options will be displayed where you must decide between downloading it for free for 30 days, updating it when the free version expires or buying it directly.
It is a fairly lightweight program that requires your computer to have a Windows 7, 8 or 10 operating system.
- We recommend saving your works in PDF, so they will be more attractive for your readers.
- It is a fairly user friendly interface.
- It is important have a draft of the comic you want to make, so that in the program you only get to express your ideas.
- Before starting the work, you must have all the collected images (photos, drawings made by you and images downloaded from the internet) of the topic you want to develop.
- You can put a style for each page.
- Use the different fonts and sizes It is decisive to assertively transmit your ideas and emotions.
What are the elements of Comic Life?
The narrative, literary and visual elements that you will find with this great Comic Life tool are many, then we will show you some:
- The vignette: It is that box made up of lines that represents a moment in history. These vignettes can be represented by different shapes inside a comic such as round, rectangular and irregular figures that They give a unique and different air to the development of the story.
- The balloon or sandwich: It is the graphic representation that mark a dialogue in the story, is identified by transmitting to the reader situations where the character is shouting, thinking, talking or expressing some kind of emotion.
- Placard or supporting text: It is a rectangular space that houses a text that accompanies or supports what is displayed in a scene, it is usually located in a corner of the story and colored in a distinctive color such as yellow or red. It also works to give continuity to the narrated story by placing the reader in a specific place or time.
- Onomatopoeia: It is a writing that represents sounds, giving a specific atmosphere or situation to the cartoon within a scene. Generally, it usually personifies a blow or an explosion, combining with other elements such as the vignette.
- Planes: In the comic, as well as in the cinema, they are essential to show a scene because represent the angle of view within the comic. In the comic we will find: The great general shot, general shot, whole shot, American shot, low angle shot, medium shot and the detailed shot.
- Importance of the text: The type of text in the comic takes a visual value when it comes to representing a graphic piece in the text, since it place the reader in a specific time and place. In addition to, strengthen the plot in the scene and give meaning to the image. For example: If the text is in bold, it represents a change in the tone of voice of the characters.
- Visual influences that the comic takes for its narration: It takes as an influence painting, Egyptian hieroglyphics, cinema and photography.
What are the characteristics of Comic Life?
- Blank templates and default templates.
- Different Comic Styles: Education, Certificates, Life Stories, Blank Sheets, Classic, and Stylish Blanks.
- Magnifiers to zoom in, adjust and zoom out.
- Contains different ways to write dialogues.
- Allows you to insert images from any location on your computer.
- You can put multiple templates in a single file.
- Offers a solid color palette and allows gradients.
- Offers a large number of characters to illustrate titles or dialogue.
- You can enlarge or reduce the titles and designs.
- It has several types of frames and borders for images.
- It has an automatic spell checker.