Mrph1
MOD
(4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Mar 16th 2023 at 10:49:01 AM
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It’s probably worth taking it to Trope Description Improvement Drive
, which exists to talk through this sort of change.
As a starting point, I'm not sure about the equilibrium - comics are sequential art, but they're not obliged to use captions or dialogue at all. And they're still perfectly valid and effective as comics if they have no words.
One to pick up on the forum thread?
Edited by Mrph1
Asterlix
Since: Feb, 2022
Mar 16th 2023 at 8:03:14 PM
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I'll add a "most comics [...]" at the beginning, then, so it leaves room for illustrations-only comics.
I'll bring it to that thread, thanks.
Here there be cats.
Hi, so, uhm, sorry for rehauling the description without initiating discussion first. The main issue I see with the current one is that it's a little bit too complainy and that it doesn't go to the point.
Here's my proposal. I'm not changing the meaning or scope of the trope, just trying to convey it better:
Comics consist of a careful equilibrium between a majority of illustrations and a minority of text (in the form of bubble speeches and captions). There are some instances, however, when the balance is broken, and either element overtakes the panel or even the entire page. If it's the text that suddenly explodes everywhere, then you have this trope.
This isn't a rare sight for an illustrated novel and therefore not trope-worthy in such cases. However, it's tropable if it happens in an otherwise normal comic.
Remember that Tropes Are Tools, so a textplosion can be as much a sign of artistic laziness as a well-executed narrative device. Reasons can vary, from using it for a character who suffers from Aphantasia (inability to imagine) to a plot that mushroomed out of control.
Sister Trope of Wall of Text (extremely lengthy paragraphs in written media). Super-Trope of Wall of Blather (textplosions containing a backdrop character's ramblings). Might overlap with Painting the Medium, when the sudden abundance of text serves an ulterior purpose. It's sometimes a victim of Speech-Bubbles Interruption.
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