Beat Panel: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:beatpanels.png|link=Xkcd (Webcomic)|right|[[Xkcd (Webcomic)|Xkcd]] [http://xkcd.com/141/ sets the record] for number of awkward-pause panels in one strip (previously held by [[Achewood]]).]]
[[File:beatpanels.png|link=Xkcd|right|[[Xkcd]] [http://xkcd.com/141/ sets the record] for number of awkward-pause panels in one strip (previously held by [[Achewood]]).]]


{{quote|''[[Lampshade Hanging|DID YOU SEE THOSE TWO BEAT PANELS]]''<br />
{{quote|''[[Lampshade Hanging|DID YOU SEE THOSE TWO BEAT PANELS]]''<br />
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== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* The manga of ''[[Azumanga Daioh (Manga)|Azumanga Daioh]]'' uses these a ''lot'', often at the end of the comic when the gag is a lack of action. These usually translate to (often hilarious) stretches of awkward silence in the anime. One of the more memorable ones:
* The manga of ''[[Azumanga Daioh]]'' uses these a ''lot'', often at the end of the comic when the gag is a lack of action. These usually translate to (often hilarious) stretches of awkward silence in the anime. One of the more memorable ones:
{{quote| Panel 1: '''Chiyo:''' Oh, Sakaki, you're here already! It'll be an hour before the others get here!<br />
{{quote| Panel 1: '''Chiyo:''' Oh, Sakaki, you're here already! It'll be an hour before the others get here!<br />
Panel 2: '''Sakaki:''' It's okay... I'll wait outside... with [[Big Friendly Dog|Mr. Tadakichi]]...<br />
Panel 2: '''Sakaki:''' It's okay... I'll wait outside... with [[Big Friendly Dog|Mr. Tadakichi]]...<br />
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** Later in the same comic, {{spoiler|Sara hypnotizes Kaoru into "raping" Megumi as punishment for Megumi's [[Heel Face Turn]]. Several [[Beat Panel|BeatPanels]] with Sara looking [[Sweat Drop|increasingly distressed]] and a caption of "thirty minutes later" with nobody feeling particularly punished, [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Sara finally tells them to cut it out]]}}.
** Later in the same comic, {{spoiler|Sara hypnotizes Kaoru into "raping" Megumi as punishment for Megumi's [[Heel Face Turn]]. Several [[Beat Panel|BeatPanels]] with Sara looking [[Sweat Drop|increasingly distressed]] and a caption of "thirty minutes later" with nobody feeling particularly punished, [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Sara finally tells them to cut it out]]}}.
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' gives you what might be the [http://www.7manga.com/online_manga/1260-14.html?t=1000&n=25 cutest example] [http://www.7manga.com/online_manga/1260-14.html?t=1000&n=26 ever].
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' gives you what might be the [http://www.7manga.com/online_manga/1260-14.html?t=1000&n=25 cutest example] [http://www.7manga.com/online_manga/1260-14.html?t=1000&n=26 ever].
* Happens in ''[[Corsair (Light Novel)|Corsair]]'' manga, where the princess of a powerful pirate group finally announces to her family that she intends to wed their [[Mysterious Past]] and [[Dude Looks Like a Lady|very pretty]] [[The Strategist|strategist]], [[Spell My Name With an "S"|Kanale (or Canale... Or Kanare... take your pick)]]. Cue their [[Asskicking Equals Authority|right-hand]] [[Badass|master swordsman]], Ayase, who [[The Stoic|rarely shows any emotion at all]], speak the following:
* Happens in ''[[Corsair]]'' manga, where the princess of a powerful pirate group finally announces to her family that she intends to wed their [[Mysterious Past]] and [[Dude Looks Like a Lady|very pretty]] [[The Strategist|strategist]], [[Spell My Name with an "S"|Kanale (or Canale... Or Kanare... take your pick)]]. Cue their [[Asskicking Equals Authority|right-hand]] [[Badass|master swordsman]], Ayase, who [[The Stoic|rarely shows any emotion at all]], speak the following:
{{quote| '''Ayase''': I never said I approved (of you choosing Kanale). In fact there's another problem before all this: Kanale already belongs to me. }}
{{quote| '''Ayase''': I never said I approved (of you choosing Kanale). In fact there's another problem before all this: Kanale already belongs to me. }}
** ... The silence goes on for multiple panels.
** ... The silence goes on for multiple panels.
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* [[Christopher Priest]] might well be the [[Trope Codifier]]. [[Quantum and Woody]], [[Black Panther]], and pretty much everything else he wrote were rife with beat panels. The impressive thing was that as often as he used them, they never got stale or overdone; he knew exactly when and where to use them.
* [[Christopher Priest]] might well be the [[Trope Codifier]]. [[Quantum and Woody]], [[Black Panther]], and pretty much everything else he wrote were rife with beat panels. The impressive thing was that as often as he used them, they never got stale or overdone; he knew exactly when and where to use them.
* The Keith Giffen/J. M. DeMatteis comedy incarnation of ''[[Justice League of America]]'' used this all the time, sometimes featuring entire Beat ''Pages''.
* The Keith Giffen/J. M. DeMatteis comedy incarnation of ''[[Justice League of America]]'' used this all the time, sometimes featuring entire Beat ''Pages''.
** J.M. DeMatteis's run on ''Spectacular [[Spider Man]]'' featured a beat page - but it wasn't funny, rather it was one of the creepiest pages ever seen in a comic book.
** J.M. DeMatteis's run on ''Spectacular [[Spider-Man]]'' featured a beat page - but it wasn't funny, rather it was one of the creepiest pages ever seen in a comic book.
* Used excessively in ''[[Invincible (Comic Book)|Invincible]]'', then [[Lampshaded]] when the main character gets his comics signed by an artist who comments on his use of copying and pasting panels.
* Used excessively in ''[[Invincible]]'', then [[Lampshaded]] when the main character gets his comics signed by an artist who comments on his use of copying and pasting panels.
* In the comic ''[[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]]'', after Beast Boy asked Raven to go with him on a "[[Not a Date|not-a-date]]", there was a beat panel before Raven said "Let's go".
* In the comic ''[[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]]'', after Beast Boy asked Raven to go with him on a "[[Not a Date|not-a-date]]", there was a beat panel before Raven said "Let's go".
* In an [[Iron Man (Comic Book)|Invincible Iron Man]] issue, Pepper Potts admits to Maria Hill that she slept with Tony. A shocked Maria Hill admit that she also slept with Tony a few days before Potts. Follows a succession of panel with both looking shocked, each at each other, and then each looking down, visibly angry. After that, Hill mutters a simple "Tony Stark. Tony [[Precision F-Strike|fucking]] Stark.
* In an [[Iron Man (Comic Book)|Invincible Iron Man]] issue, Pepper Potts admits to Maria Hill that she slept with Tony. A shocked Maria Hill admit that she also slept with Tony a few days before Potts. Follows a succession of panel with both looking shocked, each at each other, and then each looking down, visibly angry. After that, Hill mutters a simple "Tony Stark. Tony [[Precision F-Strike|fucking]] Stark.
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** A comic strip by [[David Lynch]] was almost entirely made up of beat panels. The [[Cut and Paste Comic|same ones]]. For ten years.
** A comic strip by [[David Lynch]] was almost entirely made up of beat panels. The [[Cut and Paste Comic|same ones]]. For ten years.
* Interestingly, ''[[The Far Side]]'' occasionally pulled this off in a one-panel strip. The visual was some awkward situation, while the punchline came in the caption.
* Interestingly, ''[[The Far Side]]'' occasionally pulled this off in a one-panel strip. The visual was some awkward situation, while the punchline came in the caption.
* [[Discussed Trope|Discussed]] as well as demonstrated in this ''[[Barney and Clyde (Comic Strip)|Barney and Clyde]]'' strip seen [http://cdn.svcs.c2.uclick.com/c2/8d6c63008d05012ee3c400163e41dd5b here].
* [[Discussed Trope|Discussed]] as well as demonstrated in this ''[[Barney and Clyde]]'' strip seen [http://cdn.svcs.c2.uclick.com/c2/8d6c63008d05012ee3c400163e41dd5b here].


== [[New Media]] ==
== [[New Media]] ==
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== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* [[The World Ends With You (Video Game)|The World Ends With You]] due to it's manga like cutscenes is a rare [[Video Game]] example. The game has this exchange in week three with several [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Beat]] Panels
* [[The World Ends With You]] due to it's manga like cutscenes is a rare [[Video Game]] example. The game has this exchange in week three with several [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Beat]] Panels
{{quote| '''Beat:''' We ain't treading on thin ice! Shibuya's not cold enough for ice!<br />
{{quote| '''Beat:''' We ain't treading on thin ice! Shibuya's not cold enough for ice!<br />
'''Uzuki:''' .....<br />
'''Uzuki:''' .....<br />
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* ''[[Project 0]]'' interestingly enough on [http://www.centralcitytower.com/2010/02/new-installment.html page 8] of part 1.1 and [http://www.centralcitytower.com/2010/02/continuing-where-we-left-off-we-present.html page 8] of part 1.2.
* ''[[Project 0]]'' interestingly enough on [http://www.centralcitytower.com/2010/02/new-installment.html page 8] of part 1.1 and [http://www.centralcitytower.com/2010/02/continuing-where-we-left-off-we-present.html page 8] of part 1.2.
* Refined into an art by ''[[Achewood]]'' except that it usually happens in the final panel to highlight an awkward silence or just something bizarre getting a bewildered reaction. [http://achewood.com/index.php?date=05232006 Here is a good example for you to enjoy].
* Refined into an art by ''[[Achewood]]'' except that it usually happens in the final panel to highlight an awkward silence or just something bizarre getting a bewildered reaction. [http://achewood.com/index.php?date=05232006 Here is a good example for you to enjoy].
** Parodied by ''[[Xkcd (Webcomic)|Xkcd]]'' [http://xkcd.com/141/ in this tribute].
** Parodied by ''[[Xkcd]]'' [http://xkcd.com/141/ in this tribute].
** Taken to comedic extremes [http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02142005 here].
** Taken to comedic extremes [http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02142005 here].
* ''[[Adorable Desolation]]'' uses the [[Beat Panel]] often, two examples are [http://adorabledesolation.comicgenesis.com/d/20090202.html here] and [http://adorabledesolation.comicgenesis.com/d/20090126.html here]
* ''[[Adorable Desolation]]'' uses the [[Beat Panel]] often, two examples are [http://adorabledesolation.comicgenesis.com/d/20090202.html here] and [http://adorabledesolation.comicgenesis.com/d/20090126.html here]
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* ''[[Bob and George]]'' is famous for the third panel pause.
* ''[[Bob and George]]'' is famous for the third panel pause.
** Especially [http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=011201 this strip], which had a three-panel pause.
** Especially [http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/index.php?date=011201 this strip], which had a three-panel pause.
* [http://www.brawlinthefamily.com/?p=927 This] ''[[Brawl in The Family (Webcomic)|Brawl in The Family]]'' comic.
* [http://www.brawlinthefamily.com/?p=927 This] ''[[Brawl in the Family]]'' comic.
* ''[[Cyanide and Happiness]]'' uses this, frequently. Very frequently.
* ''[[Cyanide and Happiness]]'' uses this, frequently. Very frequently.
** [http://www.explosm.net/comics/2030/ This strip] is the most consecutive beat panels in a comic found so far. (If you can't figure it out: {{spoiler|Use the horizontal scrollbar.}})
** [http://www.explosm.net/comics/2030/ This strip] is the most consecutive beat panels in a comic found so far. (If you can't figure it out: {{spoiler|Use the horizontal scrollbar.}})
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** [http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0317.html And then, the Ultimate Beat Panel]
** [http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0317.html And then, the Ultimate Beat Panel]
** [http://darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0318.html Followed by an onslaught of beat panels.]
** [http://darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0318.html Followed by an onslaught of beat panels.]
* ''[[Death to The Extremist]]'' uses this ''constantly.'' Often taken [[Up to Eleven]] with comics like [http://dtecomic.com/?n=3 this].
* ''[[Death to the Extremist]]'' uses this ''constantly.'' Often taken [[Up to Eleven]] with comics like [http://dtecomic.com/?n=3 this].
* ''[[Dystopia (Video Game)|Dystopia]]'' [http://www.dystopia-game.com/wiki/index.php?title=Avv%27s_Comics_-_Miswired demonstrates Medium's new reflex upgrades].
* ''[[Dystopia (video game)|Dystopia]]'' [http://www.dystopia-game.com/wiki/index.php?title=Avv%27s_Comics_-_Miswired demonstrates Medium's new reflex upgrades].
* Happens rather frequently in ''[[8-Bit Theater (Webcomic)|Eight Bit Theater]]''. A prime example is [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2009/01/06/episode-1079-verbal-flanking/ here].
* Happens rather frequently in ''[[8-Bit Theater (Webcomic)|Eight Bit Theater]]''. A prime example is [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2009/01/06/episode-1079-verbal-flanking/ here].
* ''[[El Goonish Shive (Webcomic)|El Goonish Shive]]'' uses this when Grace explains [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-08 the plan] to cure Elliot of his [[Gender Bender|problem]].
* ''[[El Goonish Shive]]'' uses this when Grace explains [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-08 the plan] to cure Elliot of his [[Gender Bender|problem]].
** Also, Tedd [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-27 and the spilled barrel of exposition], Nanase [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-24 talking about Ellen with Susan]. Grace [http://egscomics.com/?date=2005-02-14 realizing she had to break her "morphing moratorium"], Ellen [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-01-19 coming back to Earth] and [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-09-03 informed] of the Elliot's [[Gender Bender|upcoming powers]] and "Man Engulfs Food" [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-12 looking at dining Grace].
** Also, Tedd [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-27 and the spilled barrel of exposition], Nanase [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-24 talking about Ellen with Susan]. Grace [http://egscomics.com/?date=2005-02-14 realizing she had to break her "morphing moratorium"], Ellen [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-01-19 coming back to Earth] and [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-09-03 informed] of the Elliot's [[Gender Bender|upcoming powers]] and "Man Engulfs Food" [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-12 looking at dining Grace].
** Once [http://egscomics.com/?date=2002-04-03 turned into gag in its own right].
** Once [http://egscomics.com/?date=2002-04-03 turned into gag in its own right].
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* ''[http://www.agameoffools.com A Game of Fools]'' uses them quite a bit.
* ''[http://www.agameoffools.com A Game of Fools]'' uses them quite a bit.
* Likewise, ''[[Garfield Minus Garfield]]'' seems to thrive on the beat panel.
* Likewise, ''[[Garfield Minus Garfield]]'' seems to thrive on the beat panel.
* ''[[Girl Genius (Webcomic)|Girl Genius]]'' manages [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070709 two in a row with different responses]. Another one, [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030910 courtesy of Sleipnir O'Hara].
* ''[[Girl Genius]]'' manages [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070709 two in a row with different responses]. Another one, [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030910 courtesy of Sleipnir O'Hara].
** A [[Running Gag]] with characters realizing what they just said -- [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080314 Moloch], [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090504 Agatha] and [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091014 Tarvek].
** A [[Running Gag]] with characters realizing what they just said -- [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080314 Moloch], [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090504 Agatha] and [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091014 Tarvek].
** [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080801 Here] and [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091009 here] it's a punchline.
** [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080801 Here] and [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091009 here] it's a punchline.
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'''Gil''': [[Refuge in Audacity|Well... yes, that goes without saying.]] }}
'''Gil''': [[Refuge in Audacity|Well... yes, that goes without saying.]] }}
* ''[[Goblins]]'' does this sometimes. The best example is probably Minmax [http://www.goblinscomic.com/03032010/ here].
* ''[[Goblins]]'' does this sometimes. The best example is probably Minmax [http://www.goblinscomic.com/03032010/ here].
* ''[[Head Trip (Webcomic)|Head Trip]]'' doubles up on the beat panels in [http://headtripcomics.comicgenesis.com/d/20080915.html this strip] because, well, as that particular chapter of ''[[Twilight (Literature)|Breaking Dawn]]'' put it, "There Are No Words For This".
* ''[[Head Trip]]'' doubles up on the beat panels in [http://headtripcomics.comicgenesis.com/d/20080915.html this strip] because, well, as that particular chapter of ''[[Twilight (novel)|Breaking Dawn]]'' put it, "There Are No Words For This".
** Also, [http://headtripcomics.comicgenesis.com/d/20081006.html this]:
** Also, [http://headtripcomics.comicgenesis.com/d/20081006.html this]:
{{quote| '''[[The Adjectival Superhero|Hot Topic Avenger]]''': The acceptable pause for a punchline has passed, meaning either you're ''serious'' or you ''suck'' at telling a ''joke''.}}
{{quote| '''[[The Adjectival Superhero|Hot Topic Avenger]]''': The acceptable pause for a punchline has passed, meaning either you're ''serious'' or you ''suck'' at telling a ''joke''.}}
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* [http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=535 Here] is a [[Heroic BSOD]] version from ''[[Megatokyo]]''.
* [http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=535 Here] is a [[Heroic BSOD]] version from ''[[Megatokyo]]''.
** You don't have to go far to see this version: the [http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=1 very first strip] also has a Beat Panel.
** You don't have to go far to see this version: the [http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=1 very first strip] also has a Beat Panel.
* ''[[My Middle Names Adventure]]'' has been employing this since the [http://www.doublepuma.com/adventure/comic/0001 first] strip.
* ''[[My Middle Name's Adventure]]'' has been employing this since the [http://www.doublepuma.com/adventure/comic/0001 first] strip.
** But most notably in strips with Amed. [http://www.doublepuma.com/adventure/comic/0009/\]
** But most notably in strips with Amed. [http://www.doublepuma.com/adventure/comic/0009/\]
* The readers of ''[[Narbonic]]'' refer to this as the "Silent Penultimate Panel". [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/shaenongarrity/narbonic_plus/series.php?view=archive&chapter=29025 Here's] a double example (fourth strip down).
* The readers of ''[[Narbonic]]'' refer to this as the "Silent Penultimate Panel". [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/shaenongarrity/narbonic_plus/series.php?view=archive&chapter=29025 Here's] a double example (fourth strip down).
** this is specifically when the next-to-last panel is the one that is the [[Beat Panel]]. Done often enough that one of the regular readers of ''[[Narbonic]] Director's Cut'' maintains a running total.
** this is specifically when the next-to-last panel is the one that is the [[Beat Panel]]. Done often enough that one of the regular readers of ''[[Narbonic]] Director's Cut'' maintains a running total.
* Used often in ''[[The Optimist]]'',as seen [http://the-opt.com/?p=25 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=24 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=14 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=12 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=7 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=5 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=942 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=718 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=421 here], and a double dose [http://the-opt.com/?p=30 here] and [http://the-opt.com/?p=1314 here].
* Used often in ''[[The Optimist]]'',as seen [http://the-opt.com/?p=25 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=24 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=14 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=12 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=7 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=5 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=942 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=718 here], [http://the-opt.com/?p=421 here], and a double dose [http://the-opt.com/?p=30 here] and [http://the-opt.com/?p=1314 here].
* In the ''[[Order of the Stick (Webcomic)|Order of the Stick]]'' prequel book 'On The Origins Of PCs' had a page with eight of these in a row, culminating in an outburst. [[It Makes Sense in Context|It fit the situation perfectly]].
* In the ''[[The Order of the Stick|Order of the Stick]]'' prequel book 'On The Origins Of PCs' had a page with eight of these in a row, culminating in an outburst. [[It Makes Sense in Context|It fit the situation perfectly]].
** [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0303.html It seems unlikely]. Also, "[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html How cute!]"
** [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0303.html It seems unlikely]. Also, "[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html How cute!]"
* There is an absolutely ''epic'' final panel beat in [http://www.partiallyclips.com/pclipslite.php?id=1391&c=1# strip this] ''[[Partially Clips]]'' strip.
* There is an absolutely ''epic'' final panel beat in [http://www.partiallyclips.com/pclipslite.php?id=1391&c=1# strip this] ''[[Partially Clips]]'' strip.
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*** And [http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1557 this strip], which is a textbook example of how the beatpanel's supposed to be done.
*** And [http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1557 this strip], which is a textbook example of how the beatpanel's supposed to be done.
* ''[[Realfield]]'' frequently subverts this by removing the punchline altogether. [http://juannavarro.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/realfield-like-lasagna-too/ Trust me, it's funny.]
* ''[[Realfield]]'' frequently subverts this by removing the punchline altogether. [http://juannavarro.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/realfield-like-lasagna-too/ Trust me, it's funny.]
* ''[[Sequential Art (Webcomic)|Sequential Art]]'' has its share of beat panels. Like with [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=334 Kat looking at Art's art] and [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=335 the next comic], [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=465 this] or [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=584 Iron-Pip], [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=593 Art and colleague] or [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=653 this], with poor Kat... And now [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=681 Art and Pip].
* ''[[Sequential Art (webcomic)|Sequential Art]]'' has its share of beat panels. Like with [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=334 Kat looking at Art's art] and [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=335 the next comic], [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=465 this] or [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=584 Iron-Pip], [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=593 Art and colleague] or [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=653 this], with poor Kat... And now [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=681 Art and Pip].
** Also, [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=515 used as a punchline].
** Also, [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=515 used as a punchline].
** Or, one of squirrel girls [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=701 notices] [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=699 Martian Trash Cans] hunting for Art --
** Or, one of squirrel girls [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=701 notices] [http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=699 Martian Trash Cans] hunting for Art --
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(squirrel girls look at each other)<br />
(squirrel girls look at each other)<br />
'''([[Hive Mind|all four]])''': ♥ ♥ '''''[[Mad Scientist|Field test!]]''''' ♥ ♥ }}
'''([[Hive Mind|all four]])''': ♥ ♥ '''''[[Mad Scientist|Field test!]]''''' ♥ ♥ }}
* In [http://www.shortpacked.com/2005/comic/book-2-pulls-the-drama-tag/05-faztivus/gordon/ this] ''[[Shortpacked (Webcomic)|Shortpacked]]'' strip, when [[Batman]] is left without an opportunity to complete his [[Stealth Hi Bye]], he gets two panels to come up with an alternate solution.
* In [http://www.shortpacked.com/2005/comic/book-2-pulls-the-drama-tag/05-faztivus/gordon/ this] ''[[Shortpacked]]'' strip, when [[Batman]] is left without an opportunity to complete his [[Stealth Hi Bye]], he gets two panels to come up with an alternate solution.
* A fancomic called ''[http://www.drunkduck.com/Sonic_College/index.php?p=454381 Sonic College]'' did this with three.
* A fancomic called ''[http://www.drunkduck.com/Sonic_College/index.php?p=454381 Sonic College]'' did this with three.
* ''[[Mezzacotta|Square Root of Minus Garfield]]'' does this [http://www.mezzacotta.net/garfield/?comic=10 here] with reference to this page, and comment that ''[[Garfield]]'' might not use it enough.
* ''[[Mezzacotta|Square Root of Minus Garfield]]'' does this [http://www.mezzacotta.net/garfield/?comic=10 here] with reference to this page, and comment that ''[[Garfield]]'' might not use it enough.
Line 151: Line 151:
* Appears a few times in [[Harkovast]] during the more light hearted moments, especially on this [http://www.drunkduck.com/Harkovast/index.php?p=735366 page] where it actually happens twice in succession.
* Appears a few times in [[Harkovast]] during the more light hearted moments, especially on this [http://www.drunkduck.com/Harkovast/index.php?p=735366 page] where it actually happens twice in succession.
* [http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF026-Butterflies.jpg Butterflies] in ''[[The Perry Bible Fellowship]]''.
* [http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF026-Butterflies.jpg Butterflies] in ''[[The Perry Bible Fellowship]]''.
* ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court (Webcomic)|Gunnerkrigg Court]]'' has [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=62 this]. Then a [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=478 double beat panel]. And [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=856 two more] with highly unimpressed Kat. And a ''[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=862 triple]'' beat panel (the scene in question justifies this much).
* ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'' has [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=62 this]. Then a [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=478 double beat panel]. And [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=856 two more] with highly unimpressed Kat. And a ''[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=862 triple]'' beat panel (the scene in question justifies this much).
* [http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/2007/12/telephone-call/ Here], thanks to the ''[[Amazing Super Powers]]'' of a [[Split-Screen Phone Call]].
* [http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/2007/12/telephone-call/ Here], thanks to the ''[[Amazing Super Powers]]'' of a [[Split-Screen Phone Call]].
* Lampshaded through the fourth wall in [http://www.retailcomic.com/?p=4134 ''Retail''].
* Lampshaded through the fourth wall in [http://www.retailcomic.com/?p=4134 ''Retail''].
* ''[[Rusty and Co (Webcomic)|Rusty and Co]]'', in the [http://rustyandco.com/comic/39/ re-acquaintance] of The Princess and White Knight.
* ''[[Rusty and Co.|Rusty and Co]]'', in the [http://rustyandco.com/comic/39/ re-acquaintance] of The Princess and White Knight.
* ''[[Yet Another Fantasy Gamer Comic]]'' has a [http://yafgc.net/?id=471 good one] when [[Monster Adventurers]] [[X Meets Y|meet]] "[[Here There Be Dragons]]".
* ''[[Yet Another Fantasy Gamer Comic]]'' has a [http://yafgc.net/?id=471 good one] when [[Monster Adventurers]] [[X Meets Y|meet]] "[[Here There Be Dragons]]".
** [http://yafgc.net/?id=561 King Eric's "OTHER epiphany"] combines it with [[Face Palm|another kind]] of "[[Dope Slap|beat]]" in the same panel.
** [http://yafgc.net/?id=561 King Eric's "OTHER epiphany"] combines it with [[Face Palm|another kind]] of "[[Dope Slap|beat]]" in the same panel.
* ''[[The KA Mics]]'' [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4771258/ Has] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4772298/ done] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4790116/ this] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4803092/ a number] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/5293042/ of times], [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4772300/ sometimes] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4999434/ as punchlines] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/5012226/ or inverted.]
* ''[[The KAMics]]'' [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4771258/ Has] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4772298/ done] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4790116/ this] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4803092/ a number] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/5293042/ of times], [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4772300/ sometimes] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/4999434/ as punchlines] [http://www.drunkduck.com/The_KAMics/5012226/ or inverted.]
* ''[[Exterminatus Now]]'' has... uh... [http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2006-10-06/comic/bukawk-eee/oh-thank-gods/ this] (see the previous page for explanation). And a [http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2008-05-31/comic/mort-to-it-than-zombies/discerning-the-wicked-from-the-pure-of-heart/ beat panel with punchline silent panel].
* ''[[Exterminatus Now]]'' has... uh... [http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2006-10-06/comic/bukawk-eee/oh-thank-gods/ this] (see the previous page for explanation). And a [http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2008-05-31/comic/mort-to-it-than-zombies/discerning-the-wicked-from-the-pure-of-heart/ beat panel with punchline silent panel].
* ''[[The Extremely Post Modern Adventures of Flint and Hinawa]]'' revolves around having two or even three beat panels between the setup and the usually oddball punchline. This is used to the extreme in [http://local-static1.forum-files.fobby.net/forum_attachments/0023/2741/flintandhinawa6.gif Comic #6], where {{spoiler|the beat just continues right to the end without a punchline.}}
* ''[[The Extremely Post Modern Adventures of Flint and Hinawa]]'' revolves around having two or even three beat panels between the setup and the usually oddball punchline. This is used to the extreme in [http://local-static1.forum-files.fobby.net/forum_attachments/0023/2741/flintandhinawa6.gif Comic #6], where {{spoiler|the beat just continues right to the end without a punchline.}}

Revision as of 21:46, 8 April 2014

Xkcd sets the record for number of awkward-pause panels in one strip (previously held by Achewood).
Xkcd sets the record for number of awkward-pause panels in one strip (previously held by Achewood).

DID YOU SEE THOSE TWO BEAT PANELS

THEY WERE *CRUCIAL* TO THE JOKE
Yelling Bird, Questionable Content

A silent panel in sequential art. Usually the next-to-last panel in a serialized comic strip, since it approximates the comedic pause before a punchline.

Particularly efficient comic artists may copy and paste adjacent panels, since the point of the Beat Panel is usually that the characters are frozen in contemplation. Another variation is to have two beat panels, with just a quizzical change of expression in the second to show a character's confusion (more likely to happen in a four-panel strip than a three-panel strip). It can also be unusually long to indicate a long beat.

Compare Silent Scenery Panel. A Beat is the (un)spoken version.

Examples of Beat Panel include:


Anime and Manga

  • The manga of Azumanga Daioh uses these a lot, often at the end of the comic when the gag is a lack of action. These usually translate to (often hilarious) stretches of awkward silence in the anime. One of the more memorable ones:

 Panel 1: Chiyo: Oh, Sakaki, you're here already! It'll be an hour before the others get here!

Panel 2: Sakaki: It's okay... I'll wait outside... with Mr. Tadakichi...

Panels 3 and 4: (The same image of Sakaki, perfectly content, sitting under a tree with Mr. Tadakichi)

    • An example of how they translate this: in the anime, during the same scene, the camera stays focused on Sakaki as every other main character walks into Chiyo's house.
  • Hentai manga Witchcraft uses this to great comedic effect. Kagami is trying to get Kaoru to relax so she can effectively hypnotize him (Mildly NSFW text):

 Kagami: Well, the easiest way is that relaxed state right after ejaculation. All right, ejaculate.

 Kaoru: Right...

 (Beat Panel)

 Kaoru: ... ... Ejaculate?

 Kagami: Yes.

 Kaoru: You mean where it ... squirts out?

 Kagami: That's right. Now hurry up.

  Ayase: I never said I approved (of you choosing Kanale). In fact there's another problem before all this: Kanale already belongs to me.

    • ... The silence goes on for multiple panels.
  • There's one early on in the Battle Royale manga. Shuya asks Noriko how she can trust him so easily. She says "You didn't peek at my panties." Cue the ellipsis and possibly the only funny moment in the story.

Comic Books

  • Christopher Priest might well be the Trope Codifier. Quantum and Woody, Black Panther, and pretty much everything else he wrote were rife with beat panels. The impressive thing was that as often as he used them, they never got stale or overdone; he knew exactly when and where to use them.
  • The Keith Giffen/J. M. DeMatteis comedy incarnation of Justice League of America used this all the time, sometimes featuring entire Beat Pages.
    • J.M. DeMatteis's run on Spectacular Spider-Man featured a beat page - but it wasn't funny, rather it was one of the creepiest pages ever seen in a comic book.
  • Used excessively in Invincible, then Lampshaded when the main character gets his comics signed by an artist who comments on his use of copying and pasting panels.
  • In the comic Teen Titans, after Beast Boy asked Raven to go with him on a "not-a-date", there was a beat panel before Raven said "Let's go".
  • In an Invincible Iron Man issue, Pepper Potts admits to Maria Hill that she slept with Tony. A shocked Maria Hill admit that she also slept with Tony a few days before Potts. Follows a succession of panel with both looking shocked, each at each other, and then each looking down, visibly angry. After that, Hill mutters a simple "Tony Stark. Tony fucking Stark.
  • One of the traditions of a super team crossover is having a few B-List (Or even) major villains crash the headquarters seeking revenge, then a beat panel as they realize there are quite a few more super heroes than they expected.
  • Peter David enjoys regular use of these. The Madrox mini-series contained a number of examples.
  • In Scott Pilgrim, Scott asks Wallace what the website for Amazon.ca is. Wallace gets his beat panel with a dumbfounded look and a series of ellipses and responds ".... Amazon.ca".
  • Life in Hell occasionally uses these to an extreme. Matt Groening refers to these as "all those Akbar and Jeff strips where they stare at each other." Keep in mind there were often dozens of panels to a page.
  • During the Joss Whedon run on Astonishing X Men, the morning after Peter Rasputin and Kitty Pryde finally make love, they meet with Wolverine in the kitchen. Two beat panels follow; one where Wolverine looks at Peter, and one where he looks at Kitty. He then returns to his breakfast, muttering, "'Bout time."

Newspaper Comics

  • Pretty much every comic has used this at some point. It's been around since the early days of comics, but it really took off in the 60's and 70's, when a new generation of cartoonists raised on films and television sought to make their comics more cinematic. Doonesbury is often credited with popularizing the beat, and it remains one of the most frequent users of this trope.
    • A comic strip by David Lynch was almost entirely made up of beat panels. The same ones. For ten years.
  • Interestingly, The Far Side occasionally pulled this off in a one-panel strip. The visual was some awkward situation, while the punchline came in the caption.
  • Discussed as well as demonstrated in this Barney and Clyde strip seen here.

New Media

Video Games

 Beat: We ain't treading on thin ice! Shibuya's not cold enough for ice!

Uzuki: .....

Kariya: .....

Neku: .....

Web Comics

  And now, by popular demand, Jeremy, the creature nature never intended in his own comic!!!!!!!!

 Vole: De pipple of Mechanicsburg vould not ekcept [shutting down Castle Heterodyne] as proof dot she iz a Heterodyne.

Gil: No, neither would my father.

Vole:...not unless she danced nekked through de ruins vile trying to shoot down de moon, turned all de tourists into monsters--and den built a very dangerous fountain out of sausages.

  • beat*

Gil: Well... yes, that goes without saying.

 Hot Topic Avenger: The acceptable pause for a punchline has passed, meaning either you're serious or you suck at telling a joke.

 Violet: A bad, floaty, shooty, tinny thing is being bad upstairs!

(squirrel girls look at each other)

(all four): ♥ ♥ Field test! ♥ ♥