When we read comics, we 'hear' sound on the page. Creators are experts at this cross-sensory form of storytelling - indeed one database lists over 2500 comic book sounds.
How Comics Make Sound On The Page
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From Wolverine’s
SNIKT! when unsheathing his claws, to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in The Death of Stalin (later made into a film) the use of “textual audio” invites comics readers to hear with their eyes.
Fundamental elements such as symbols, font styles and onomatopoeia (where words imitate sounds) mean reading comics is a cross-sensory experience. New and old examples show the endless potential of the artform.
Kaboom! and splosh! on every page. Image: Unsplash/Miika Laaksonen, CC BY
Holy onomatopoeia Batman!
POW! BAM! BANG! appear on the page when Batman and Robin land a punch.