Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics

Last Updated on July 1, 2024
by Ilka Perea Hernández

The visual tool used to represent the characters’ speech, dialogue, or conversation in the comics is known as a “bubble”. The meaning of speech bubbles in comics will be addressed, emphasizing their proper use and comic grammar.

Speech Bubbles

Batman by Yale Stewart. Source: superdstuff.blogspot.co.uk
Batman by Yale Stewart. Source: superdstuff.blogspot.co.uk

What are Speech Bubbles?

One of the most important parts of comics is the character dialogue. It is one of the features of comics and it is as valuable as the images themselves. They are a great support for the narrative within the comics.

As part of the visual language of comics, bubbles are small expressions in themselves, with their own meaning. They can communicate in a situation or context. Therefore, it is important to know the meaning of speech bubbles in comics to know how to express emotions in a dialogue, nature, the source of the speech, and sounds, for instance.

The Daily Drawing by Lorie Ransom for March 13, 2017 | GoComics.com
Source: The Daily Drawing by Lorie Ransom for March 13, 2017 | GoComics.com

Certainly, speech bubbles are usually added after the editing and photography of the images. However, at this point in the process of making a comic, you must have the text included inside the bubbles. The extension of the text must be set during the scriptwriting process, as well as the type of bubble to be used. Therefore, knowing the meaning of speech bubbles in comics ensures a better choice of each one to correctly communicate the message you want to convey.

Different kinds of Speech Bubble

There are different kinds of speech bubbles because there are different ways that a character could dialogue or communicate a message in a comic. There are some examples:

Normal Speech

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Normal Speech

The “basic” bubble — which often has an oval shape — is used for normal character speech. The “tail” of the bubble should generally point towards the speaker, particularly towards his mouth or the area that produces the sound.

Source: “All Aboard The Tchoo-Tchoo Train” by Yale Stewart at jl8comic.tumblr.com
Source: “All Aboard The Tchoo-Tchoo Train” by Yale Stewart at jl8comic.tumblr.com
artist Lonnie Easterling from Spud Comics imagines that socks.
Source: Artist Lonnie Easterling from Spud Comics. mashable.com

Vertical bubbles can be used when there is not enough horizontal space.  Therefore, this provides flexibility in distributing the bubbles within the panel.

Most of the time, this kind of bubble has an oval shape. However, it can have different shapes.

Source: The Freelancer’s Life – Comic • spreefirit xD

Source: The Freelancer’s Life – Comic • spreefirit xD
 The Daily Drawing by Lorie Ransom for February 16, 2015

The Daily Drawing by Lorie Ransom for February 16, 2015. Source: gocomics.com

Thoughts

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Thoughts

To express a thought, an idea, or that one is daydreaming, the bubble with a cloud shape is the right one. Besides, the shape can also be oval, like the basic one. But its tail is formed by a group of circles, or ellipses. For example, there are 2 or 3 circles.

Besides, this bubble serves to communicate what animals, plants, or things cannot say, as they “do not talk”. For example, the meow of a cat or the bark of a dog could be represented by onomatopoeias. However, to express their internal dialogue, you can use the cloud bubble.

Captions

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Caption

Rectangular bubbles without a tail are known as captions. They express what the narrator says in such a way that they support the course of the story. In other words, this space describes, in words, a given situation that would not be attributed to a character. Sometimes they are appreciated as voice-overs. Likewise, they are used for subtitles.

Example of Captions in Comics.  Source: CBR.com
Example of Captions in Comics. Source: CBR.com
Example of Captions in Comics. Source: Harley Quinn/Gallery
Example of Captions in Comics. Source: Harley Quinn/Gallery

Scream

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Scream

Multi-edged bubbles usually represent screaming or a message out loud, but the screams may have a positive or negative connotation. For example, the character is urging his team to try harder. However, the same bubble can be used to insult or express abuse.

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics. Source: bleedingcool.com
Example of Scream Bubble in comics. Source: bleedingcool.com

Depending on the connotation of the message, either negative or positive, the text in its content may have variations in style: bold, larger, or different colors, for instance.

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics. Source: harleyquinn.org
Example of Scream Bubble in comics. Source: harleyquinn.org
Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics -     Source: avatarthelastairbendermemes
Example of Scream Bubble in comics. Source: avatarthelastairbendermemes
Example of Scream Bubble in comics.  Source: Wattpad.com
Example of Scream Bubble in comics. Source: Wattpad.com

On the other hand, this bubble can also vary in shape, depending on the intensity of the emotion to be expressed and the style of the comics.

Source: etsy.com

Electronic Devices

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Electronic Devices

This is used to represent words or sounds coming from an electronic device such as a television, telephone, radio, or microphone. The tail of the bubble points towards the device, and it looks like lightning. In addition, it can be used for robot and hologram dialogs.

spiderman-ironman - Peter Parker – Page 8 – Douglas Ernst Blog
Spiderman’s speech is represented with basic bubbles; on the contrary, Ironman uses a microphone, he is inside a machine, so his speech is represented with an electronic device bubble. Source: douglasernst.blog.
Riri Williams and the failure of Black Male Comic Writers to properly represent Black women
Example of Electronic Device Speech Bubble in comics. Source: hellyeahteensuperheroes.tumblr.com.
 Example of Electronic Device Speech Bubble in comics.  Source: hellyeahteensuperheroes.tumblr.com
Example of Electronic Device Speech Bubble in comics. Source: hellyeahteensuperheroes.tumblr.com

Whispers

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Whisper

Whispers are presented with a dashed-lined bubble. However, it also represents saying a secret or speaking in a very low voice. Certainly, the shapes can also vary for greater flexibility.

Source: Susurros, por Ogden Whitney en leyendotebeos.blogspot.com
Source: Susurros, by Ogden Whitney en leyendotebeos.blogspot.com

Weakness

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Weakness

The wavy bubble indicates that the speaker is suffering from physical weakness. Likewise, it indicates that a character is exhausted, semi-unconscious, or about to faint. So, its wavy shape reflects the weakness of the character’s voice.

 Example of  Weakness Bubble.  Source: thereasonsimbroke.tumblr.com
Example of Weakness Bubble. Source: thereasonsimbroke.tumblr.com
Example of Weakness Bubble in comics.  Source: elektrarand.tumblr.com
Example of Weakness Bubble in comics. Source: elektrarand.tumblr.com

Extended Speech

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Extended Speech

If the speech or dialogue is too long or a pause is required, the text is distributed into extended speech bubbles.

Example of Extended Speech Bubble. Source: jl8comic.tumblr.com.
Example of  Extended Speech Bubble in comics. Source: "Un-killing people is Hard" -  imgur.com
Example of Extended Speech Bubble in comics. Source: “Un-killing people is Hard” – imgur.com

Moreover, the extended speech bubble has variations. Dialogues can be interleaving but use a bridge that links the speech bubbles of the same character.

Meaning of Speech Bubbles in Comics: Extended Speech Variation
Example of Extended Speech Bubble with bridge.  Source: ifunny.co
Example of Extended Speech Bubble with bridge. Source: ifunny.co
Example of Extended Speech Bubble with bridge. Source: "Deadpool telling it like it is" -  imgur.com
Example of an Extended Speech Bubble with bridges. Source: “Deadpool telling it like it is”imgur.com

Summary

  • Speech bubbles represent the characters’ dialogue or thoughts.
  • Normal speech is often represented by an oval-shaped bubble.
  • To express a thought or an idea, the bubble with a cloud shape is the right one.
  • Rectangular bubbles without a tail are known as captions.
  • Multi-edged bubbles usually represent screaming or sending a message out loud.
  • The bubble, whose tail looks like a flash of lightning, is used to represent words or sounds coming from an electronic device.
  • Whispers are presented with a dashed-lined bubble.
  • The wavy bubble indicates that the speaker is suffering from physical weakness.
  • If the speech or dialogue is too long or a pause is required, the text is distributed into extended speech bubbles.

Some Insights

Comics are not just a piece of entertainment for children and teenagers. This massive medium is appreciated and understood by adults as well. Marketing agencies and advertising companies have understood this and have started to use it to attract potential customers.

In conclusion, the narrative power of comics can be exploited in graphic design to communicate ideas interestingly and differently. Learning the meaning of speech bubbles in comics is one of the first steps. If graphic designers want to take advantage of the full potential of comics, it is necessary to understand the concepts and features of comics and their different genres. It is also necessary to follow the process of creating a comic in order to develop a story through this format.

What do you think?

In the comments section, tell me if you already knew these bubbles and their meanings. Do you know other bubbles?

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Graphic Design, Branding, Animation, and Semiotics books - ilkaperea.com

Bibliography

  • Acevedo Fernández, J. (2019). Para hacer historietas.  Instituto de Estudios Peruanos.
  • Labarre, N. (2020). Understanding Genres in Comics (Palgrave Studies in Comics and Graphic Novels). Editorial Palgrave Pivot.
  • McCloud, S. (2006). Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels. William Morrow Paperbacks.
  • Stevenson, J. (2020).  How to Draw Manga (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 2 Drawing Manga Figures. Editorial Golden Valley Press.

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