The Panel as Basic Unit

The panel serves as BD's fundamental unit of meaning, analogous to the shot in cinema or the sentence in literature. However, BD panels possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from their cinematic counterparts. While film presents images in temporal sequence, BD panels exist simultaneously on the page, allowing readers to perceive past, present, and future within a single visual field.

BD artists have developed sophisticated techniques for panel composition. The size and shape of panels convey meaning: large panels suggest importance or extended time, while small panels can indicate quick actions or minor details. Irregular panel shapes create visual rhythm and can suggest psychological states. The classic example is the work of Fred (Frédéric Othon Théodore Aristidès), whose experimental panel layouts in "Philémon" created dreamlike narratives where the very structure of the page reflected the surreal content.

Panel borders themselves carry meaning in BD. Thick borders might suggest separation or emphasis, while borderless panels can indicate memories, dreams, or fluid temporal states. Some artists, like Moebius in his more experimental works, eliminated panel borders entirely, creating flowing visual narratives that challenged readers' perceptions of time and space.