The influence of writing systems on comics layouts - Data and preprint

However, picture sequences like those in comics often have complex directional paths within their layouts. Here we therefore examine whether comic page layouts are affected by the directionality of writing systems and/or encode distinctive conventionalized patterns.

Using the TINTIN Corpus of 1,030 annotated comics from 144 countries and territories (14,311 pages, 76,361 panels), we observed that lateral directionality between rightward and leftward writing systems did affect the reading direction of comic page layouts. However, additional variance was observed particularly by Japanese manga, which showed a preference for greater right-to-left and down “S-paths” and increased vertical columns beyond the influence of writing systems.