Why do letterers bold certain words?

[suttercain]

I am lettering my first comic right now and was curious as to why certain words are in bold within the balloons? Is there a defined purpose or are they just at random?

Thanks.

[howyadoin]

I am lettering my first comic right now and was curious as to why certain words are in bold within the balloons? Is there a defined purpose or are they just at random?

Thanks.They're in bold for emphasis - whichever word the person would put the most emphasis on when they speak, that's the one you use the bold weight for.

[Joe Acro]

I actually looked into this myself a little because I was curious. I am talking solely speaking from observation and having no actual insight into the lettering process.

I see lettering in one of or a combination of the following:

1) Emphasis. Essentially those times where the speaker would put emphasis on a word. For example, "He couldn't have done it. She could have, however." Or, "I died. I died! Don't you see?" Something to that effect.

2) Names. Some letterers bold names. Names of characters, buildings, organizations, teams, etc. Just names.

3) Emphasis for glancing. I've noticed lettering that doesn't really seem to follow either 1 and 2, but the placement of the emphasis makes certain words and sentences stand out, making it easier to get the gist of what's being said at a glance.

Again, I don't have an official explanation or in-depth insight. This is just what I've seen. I may be able to find scans, if needed.

[suttercain]

Thanks for the responses. I think the emphasis thing makes sense. I noticed when reading All Star Batman, that instead of bold they use CAPITALIZATION in the caption boxes. But stick with the bold in the balloon windows.

Didn't Garth Ennis make fun of the bold type in The Boys? I think it was The Boys.

Thanks again.