I’m still a bit unsure about when I should be using sound effects. Both of the ones on this page are pretty intuitively necessary, but I’m not sure how I feel about panel 1. I occasionally have fight scenes of characters just trading blows. In other comics, the characters would be yakking up a storm with threats, insults, and taunts. But I like to just keep it on the action without all the talky bits. But I think those panels can sometimes feel a little “empty.”
I’d be curious to know if people think panel 1 works as is, or if it would be better with some sort of dialogue or sound effects. Not that I would necessarily make any changes. But I generally like to find out if something is just me overthinking things or if my concern has any validation to it.
Heavy arms of lead
Fills her victims full of dread
Running as fast as they can
Iron Sky fights again!
I’ve seen too many manga panels yesterday, where are the speed lines? 😉
I think a sound effect in the first panel would be handy. For me it’s unclear if Jayd’s blow connects (Pow!) or misses (Swoosh!).
I think silent panels in this case would work better if there was a series of them to lead up to that the one that knocks Jayd down. Thok!
I think the original idea is that she is swinging at the Zahari but the hit is deflected by his sword. But then I guess the sword should’ve been in a different position to make that more clear. I guess we can now say it’s just a lunge and a miss.
Seems to work as is. I think if the center talky dude said “Look out bro!” It would be funny but very dumb. Or anything talky… like if the guy ducking said “yikes” or “woop woop woop missed me!”…. all dumb. Even a grunt “erk” makes the deadly assassin somewhat corny. Swish trace vibration lines might work to emphasize both of her weapons are moving fast if subtle. But would need to be consistent with other panels of fast action, I’d think. I can’t think of a decent sfx for panel 1.
Well now I’m bummed I didn’t make the Zahari like the Tracskuit Mafia in Hawkeye from the very beginning and constantly calling each other “bro.”
If there’s be a sound in the “real” world, it should be in the panel. Don’t have a sound effect just to have one. In panel one you’d just have a swish or sounds you could already hear. In the panels that has one it does help make the scene.
The occasional pow, baf, swoosh, etc, is not distracting. Putting sound effects into every panel, people walking, something falling, but not yet landing, would be.
In balance, one sfx in panel one would not be crowding, but rather instructive of the state of the battle. But leaving panel 3 soundless works.
I completely agree with you!