Comic Strip / Comics

What Is the Size of a Comic Strip?

Comic strips are a popular form of storytelling that has been around for over a century. They are a visual medium that combines art and text to convey a narrative in short segments.

One of the most important aspects of creating a comic strip is determining its size. In this article, we will explore the different sizes of comic strips.

What Is a Comic Strip?

A comic strip is a series of illustrations or drawings that are arranged in a sequence to tell a story. These stories can range from humorous to serious and can be found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications. Some well-known examples of comic strips include Peanuts, Garfield, and Calvin and Hobbes.

Standard Sizes

Comic strips come in various sizes, but there are two standard sizes that most artists use: the daily strip size and the Sunday strip size.

The Daily Strip Size

The daily strip size is the most common size for comic strips. It typically measures 13.25 inches wide by 4 inches tall (33.7 cm by 10.1 cm). This size allows for three to four frames per row and three to four rows per strip.

The Sunday Strip Size

The Sunday strip size is larger than the daily strip size and typically measures 22 inches wide by 8 inches tall (55.9 cm by 20.3 cm). This larger size allows for more intricate artwork and storytelling as well as more space for color.

Alternative Sizes

While the daily and Sunday sizes are the most common, some artists choose to use alternative sizes for their comic strips.

  • Tabloid Size: This is a larger format that measures 11 inches wide by 17 inches tall (27.9 cm by 43.2 cm). It allows for more detailed artwork and can be folded in half to create a mini-comic book.
  • Mini-Comic Size: This size is perfect for creating small, handmade comics.

    It typically measures 8.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall (21.6 cm by 14 cm).

  • Webcomic Size: Webcomics can be any size since they are typically viewed on a computer or mobile device. However, most webcomics are optimized for online viewing and tend to be smaller than print comics.

Conclusion

Determining the size of your comic strip is an important decision that will affect the overall look and feel of your artwork. While the daily and Sunday sizes are the most popular, alternative sizes can provide more creative freedom and opportunities for experimentation. Whether you’re creating a comic strip for print or online publication, choosing the right size is key to making your storytelling successful.