(I think this is the right forum category for this. Whether or not this counts as writing or art could be a whole separate discussion probably. :D )
So, when (or if) you put sound effects in your comic, do you use standard onomatopoeia (boom, crack, slam, etc.) or do you invent your own?
For those of you who invent your own, do you do a web search on them? I generally prefer coming up with new ones, but it's hard to invent a word that doesn't turn out to already be slang for something somewhere. (And usually something inappropriate.)
This, for instance, was not my first choice:
An alternative that I like is using non-onomatopoeia words as sound effects instead.
Would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.
Replies
I love making up sound effects for comics. It is one of the most fun parts of lettering. I will often make the sound out loud and see what I think it might be when it is written.
For online reference, I like the site comicbookfx. It is a searchable catalog of existing sounds effects in comic books. Even if you don't use one of them, it is a great way to get some ideas.
I have also watched YouTube for videos of the thing I need a sound for. In my comic, Team SLUG, we have a slug driving a BMW Isetta. I had no idea what they sounded like, so I watched some videos of them to give me some ideas. Results are below.
Haha! Funny! I typically just use the common sounds.
Sorry, no advice here.