Average Quote by Mark Waid
“In a 22-page comic, figuring an average of four to five panels a page and a couple of full-page shots, a writer has maybe a hundred panels at most to tell a story, so every panel he wastes conveying a.) something I already know, b.) something that's a cute gag but does nothing to reveal plot or character, or c.) something I don't need to know is a demonstration of lousy craft.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Comic Writing Tips, 2010
Effective storytelling in comics requires each panel to advance plot, character, or theme; filler panels dilute narrative impact.
In simple terms: Every panel must serve a purpose.
Key Takeaway
Eliminate unnecessary panels.
Themes
storytelling
comic art
craft
efficiency
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
instructional
reflective
When to use this quote
- graphic novel planning
- storyboarding
- editing
- character development
Key Concepts
narrative economy
visual pacing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which visual details are essential?
- Can a seemingly trivial gag reveal character?
A Different Perspective
Not all panels can be essential; some visual flair may be needed for mood.
![“How do you gag the voice in your head that says, 'You don't have to [do it] today. There's always tomorrow.'?” quote by A. J. Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e66/a-j-jacobs-2-13695_gags_how-do-you-gag-the-voice-in-your-head-th_513635.jpg)
