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Confusion is indicated in Panel 1 by a question mark , yet remains outside of speech bubbles ( unlike , for example , Tintin ) thus depicting the confusion as unvoiced . Symbolic lines are present in Panel 4 to indicate stress and movement , as ‘ You ’ begins to shout . In the final panel , lines are further utilised , paired with an awkward facial expression , and a wavy panel border , to indicate mounting confusion .
The page uses the ninepanel structure as its basis , altered where necessary for effect . Panel 4 is stretched to double the size of the previous panels , to allow the large , bold speech bubble to take up the centre of the page and draw the reader ’ s eye . This increase of panel size depicts an increase in volume to accommodate the medium ’ s absence of sound , the words so large ( and therefore loud ) that the panel and page layout must alter to contain it .
The bottom third of the page shows a series of small , panelless images as ‘ You ’ obediently follows textbox narrator ’ s instructions in order to sit comfortably . The “ duo specific ” wordimage combination , where word and picture essentially convey the same message , is utilised to show the forceful , constant presence of the omniscient narrator , and ‘ You ’ s bewildered compliance , still adjusting to their own , and the narrator ’ s presence in place of what should be , by now , the ‘ real ’ narrative .
The subsequent page ( above right ) takes the imperative “ Adjust the light so it won ’ t strain your eyes ”
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and lays it over the entire page , spreading shadow and light over gutters and panels alike . The fade to white in the bottom right corner also has an effect within the panel , as it obscures the location of the comic the staff member points to , setting up the struggle to find it overleaf . Having this content affect both the inner and outer area of the panel breaches conventions of the medium in the same disorientating manner as Calvino ’ s work .
Panel 5 is decagon shaped to echo the cover design . The aim of the motif is to encapsulate key literary moments in the same structure , the shape becoming associated with the whole comic . Here it contains the first solid block of information ( physical as well as abstract ) about ‘ You ’