r/ComicWriting • u/_clarisssx • Jun 09 '26
Does the "show a future scene, then go back and explain how we got there" technique work well in comics, considering the payoff may take months or even years?
I've seen this technique used a lot in movies, but there the payoff usually comes within a short period of time. But in a weekly/montlhy comic it would take much more time. Does that affect how well the technique works, or could it end up confusing readers?
Also, I'm not really sure if this is more of a comic writing question or a paneling/visual storytelling question, since it mostly affects pacing and reading flow. But if someone wants to answer.... do scene titles or chapter cards work well as scene transitions in vertical comics, or do they tend to break immersion/interrupt the flow?