Comic Book Page Analysis: Dracula #1 (The Battle of Three Kings)
This is the introductory page which leads us in the world of Dracula that we, as readers, are unfamiliar with as of now.
Panel 1
It is a horizontal panel signifying the slow passing of time that gives us a calm, serene first glance of the story. Even without much text, it is a high context panel packed with a lot of information.In this singular creative panel we get to know the year, time and place of the events that follow.
The caption "326 BC" tells us the year the story is set in.
The dense green forest gives us the idea about the place where the events are going to unfold.
Finally, the bright shining sun in the background indicates the mid-morning time.
Panel 2
The caption says it was a peaceful time. Here we meet a weasel, the protagonist of this page, wandering peacefully in the forest, supporting the argument made in the caption box.
The next caption box transitions from 2nd panel to the 3rd and warns that things are not going to stay the same anymore.
Panel 3
It is a long slender panel which means the events in this panel are happening at a quick pace.
As soon as we move to this panel after reading the caption, we see that the weasel has quickly turned around his neck as if it is trying to listen to something carefully. Also, contrary to the previous panel, it is now standing on its two hind feet in an attentive pose.
Panel 4
Extreme close-up of the weasel's eye.
The eye of the weasel is wide open due to fear and in the eye, we can see the reflection of a horseman swiftly riding towards it (and in turn the readers) in an attacking manner.
Panel 5
In terms of size and shape, this panel is exactly the same as panel 1 but carries an entirely opposite mood.
We see that it is not a solitary horseman after all but a whole cavalry marching towards us. Artist has cleverly used the low angle shot where we can only see the legs of numerous horses coming at us with rapid movement. They appear loud, violent and dangerous striking a sense of urgency and fear.
To save its life, the weasel is quickly jumping into the bush. Nothing is same as it was moments ago. The serenity and calm has been replaced by chaos.
And when we turn the page...Boom! From the scenic jungle view we are suddenly thrown in the bloody rumbling battlefield.
The writer smoothly and successfully guides us from a cold-peaceful start to the actual theme of the story - 'the war'. This is one of the best openings you will see in Indian comics.
It is a double-spread splash page where the artist is showcasing the brutality and the horrors of the war using various techniques like facial expressions, speed lines, dynamic action movements, dull-grim colour palette and several inset panels to intensify certain moments.
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