Feature 04of 08 · Story graph

Linear is perfect. Branching is possible.

Story graph: linear today, branching when you want

Most stories are linear — and most creators will start that way. In PanelWave that costs nothing: every chapter is a graph, and a linear comic is simply a chain of panels, wired automatically when you import a script or pages. When a story wants more, the same graph allows a choice, a detour that rejoins the main arc, or a different ending.

Try it as a Founding Creator Publisher? Request a pilot

Pencil sketch of comic panels pinned on graph paper, connected by string in a straight line, with one optional branch drawn in red.

Fig. 4How it works

Fig. 4 — Story graphEvery PanelWave chapter is a graph — a linear comic is simply a chain. Branches, detours and endings are there when your story wants them.

graph per chapter: 1
variable scopes: 5
code needed: 0

Parts listStory graph

In detail

What you get

Linear by default

Importers wire a straight reading order for you. You never have to look at a graph unless you want to.

Choices without code

A hotspot sets a variable or jumps directly; edges test it. Readers also get a “Choices” button whenever more than one path is open.

Detours that rejoin

Optional scenes, side alleys and flashbacks that come back to the main arc — ordinary shapes in the graph.

Endings and memory

Variables remember what readers did across a chapter, a session or between visits; conditions decide which ending they reach. Back navigation restores position and choices.

See every path

A visual graph editor with a no-code condition builder, validation for unreachable panels and dead ends, and preview scenarios to walk any branch.

Learn where readers go

The reading funnel shows where readers drop off; hotspot heatmaps show what they tapped.

A linear chapter is a chain of edges (panelwave.json)

"graph": {
  "entry": "p1",
  "edges": [
    { "from": "p1", "to": "p2" },
    { "from": "p2", "to": "p3", "transition": { "type": "fade" } }
  ]
}

Who gainsCreators · publishers · readers

What it means for you

For creators

Tell your linear story exactly as planned — and add an optional detour or ending later, if you ever want to.

Apply as a Founding Creator

For publishers

Branching learning comics and interactive editions on the same tool as your regular titles.

Request a publisher pilot

For readers

Stories that let you choose — and remember what you chose.

See an example

NotesQuestions & documentation

Questions

Read the docs

Every great story starts as a sketch.

Open the drawing board and start with your script, the smoothest way in, or with the art you already have: panel images, video clips or pages without lettering. Add balloons, shape the story, and see your first chapter running on a screen.

Apply as a Founding Creator Request a publisher pilot