Comics make us feel something. Can make us laugh, sad, curious, excited, or any other emotion, the power of a visual story is undeniable. Creating your own comic book can be a rewarding experience, and it's easier than you think. If you have an idea, follow this guide to make it happen.
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Part 1 of 4: Developing Comics
Step 1. Write down the basics
A comic is, in essence, a narrative told through successive images, called frames or panels. Even “single frame” comics must have the sensation of moving forward. That way, a comic is not much different from other story forms, and follows certain rules.
- Background. A story set somewhere. Even if the base is just plain white, it's still a backdrop. The setting is the basis for your character's movement, and depending on your story can be a complementary part of the narrative.
- Character. You need characters for your story. Your characters drive the action, speak the dialogue, and they are the ones who build the relationship with the reader. Develop character with time; This is especially important for comics that form long narratives.
- Conflict. Every story needs conflict to drive it. It can be the basis of the story, the reason for what your character does. This can be as simple as checking a mailbox or complex like saving the universe.
- Theme. The theme of your comic is what drives creativity every day. Your theme will also define the reader. If you write comedy comics, how are the jokes delivered? If you write a romantic story, what are the lessons to be learned?
- Tone. This is the mood in your comic. Are you writing a comedy? Is your story closer to drama? Maybe you intend to make a political cartoon. The possibilities are endless. Combine comedy with drama, create a dark or light story. Write a romantic story, or a scary political thriller.
- Your tone will be expressed through dialogue, narrative text, and visuals.
Step 2. Write about what you know
One way to make your comics feel realistic is to write what you know. This will also help you master your writing, and prevent you from copying other comics.
Step 3. Define the style
Since you are making comics, your visual style will be the first aspect that readers encounter. Choose a style that matches your tone as well as your story, as well as the image in your mind.
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Try a few different styles until you find the one that's easiest for you to draw and write on. There are several variations of popular styles that you can practice and then adapt to your needs. Here are some examples:
- Anime/Manga
- American Superhero
- Sprites/Clip art
- Noir
- Stick figures
- Sunday funnies
- Drama usually requires a more detailed visual style than comedy. However, there are some exceptions, as are all the rules when it comes to creating things.
Step 4. Choose a format
There is no set format, but comics usually fall into 3 categories: Single frame, Strip, and Page length (coic books). Try different formats until you find one that fits your story, characters, and background.
- Single frame comics are usually only for comedy. This comic doesn't require much setup, and relies on cute visuals and a line or two of dialogue. You can struggle to form a narrative using single frames, so most can be read in any order. Political comics are also usually one or two frames.
- A comic strip is a sequence of frames. There is no specific length for a strip, although most consist of one or two rows of 2-4 frames each. This is one of the most popular formats for most web comics and daily jokes, as it allows for narrative development but is still short enough for regular production.
- Comic pages are bigger than making strips. Having a full sheet to make of it gives you more freedom to manipulate the frames, but also means you need more content per sheet. Creating a full comic sheet is usually done for that image blur
Part 2 of 4: Making a Rough Draft
Step 1. Write a script
The length and details of the script will depend on your comic style. A single frame comic will probably only have one or two lines. In any case, write a script to help you judge how the story reads.
- Write your script as a sequence of frames. Make each frame a separate scene to help you control the flow of the story.
- Make sure the dialog doesn't dominate the frame. Comics are a visual medium, so most of your action and understanding will be conveyed through illustrations. Don't let the text dominate the image.
Step 2. Sketch the frame
Don't worry about accurate size, detail or quality. You will create a story sequence thumbnail. Do this while writing the script. This is a rough draft that will help you visualize the flow of the comic.
- Focus on how the characters will be placed in the frame, where the action will take place, and how the dialogue will fit within the image.
- Once your thumbnails are drawn, you can try swapping the order or making adjustments to change the effect of the strip.
Step 3. Make sure your panel settings make sense
The settings should guide the reader's eye easily through the panels. Keep in mind that the reader will move from left to right, up to down, except when reading manga which is read from right to left. Use different shapes and sizes to help guide the reader.
Step 4. Try to create different text shapes
Apart from dialogue, text can be used in many different ways. This includes:
- Mind bubbles for character thoughts.
- A narrative box that allows the narrator to set a scene or explain an aspect of the story.
- Sound can be demonstrated through the use of words that give "sound effects".
- Exclamation points can be used outside of speech bubbles to make a bigger impact.
Step 5. Ask yourself if each frame is useful
In movies, you should not save scenes that are not useful. It's the same with comics. If the frame doesn't move the story, comedy, or conflict forward, cut it out and replace it with something useful or throw it away.
Step 6. Experiment with the frame structure
Many successful comics make frames not in accordance with the provisions. If you're publishing the comic yourself, you're welcome to try as many frame options as you can. But remember that the choice of style must match the story.
Part 3 of 4: Drawing Comics
Step 1. Create frames
Use a ruler to draw your frame. Do this on the appropriate paper. For panels that will be inserted at an odd angle, or not in accordance with the general flow, you can use separate papers and then combine them when scanning.
- If you intend to make comics published in newspapers, the standard size is 13'' x 4'' (33cm x 10cm) for all comics, with 4 3'' (7.6cm) frames. Newspaper strips are drawn at twice the size of the print, so the resulting comic will be 6'' x 1.84'' (15.2cm x 4.6cm). Working at double the size makes it easier to draw details.
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Web comics can be any size you want, but you have to think about the screen size of a typical reader. If you make your comics visible on a 1024 x 768 resolution screen, most readers will have no problem.
Most readers won't like to move left and right to read web comics. Keep this in mind when setting the comic layout. Moving from top to bottom is usually more acceptable
Step 2. Start adding content to your frames
Draw with a light pencil so you can easily erase and make adjustments. Continue adjusting the image until you have the outline for your final ink.
Make sure you leave enough space for dialogue. Leave empty space to fill in dialogue bubbles, thought bubbles, narration boxes, exclamation points, and sound effect words
Step 3. Draw your final outline
Many comic artists line pencil lines with ink. This allows the artist to erase pencil outlines when finished with the ink. Take your time to make sure the finish line is dry.
If writing dialogue by hand, add it now. Make final improvements to dialogue and text when writing them on the sheet. Usually a lot of things will change when moved from the script into the comics
Step 4. Scan your comic
Once you're done coating with ink, you can scan the comic into your computer. It allows you to add typed text as well as use image editing software to color the comics if you wish. Scanning your comics will also make it easier for you to publish them online.
- Scan your images with 600 DPI (dots per inch). This resolution will keep the outline of your drawing intact and looking fresh.
- If your comic is too large to be scanned once, scan a separate section and use Photoshop's lasso tool to move and recombine the frames.
- When scanning black and white images, make sure to press the grayscale option. This is especially important for images with a lot of shadows.
Step 5. Clean the image
Once the drawn comic has been scanned, you can use Photoshop to erase any minor mistakes or pencil lines that are left behind. You can use Photoshop tools to add shadows and thicker lines.
Step 6. Create your own font (writing design)
One way to set your comic apart from the rest is to use a custom font. There are many variations of online font creation programs, some free and some available for purchase. One of the most popular is FontCreator.
Create a font that enhances the tone of the writing as well as the visual style. You can also use a different font for each character, although too much variety can be annoying
Step 7. Add dialogue and speech bubbles in Photoshop
Use Photoshop's layers tool to create separate layers for the text and bubbles. These two layers should be separate from your image layer.
- Your text layer should be on top, followed by a bubble layer, then the original image below.
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Open the Blending options of the bubble layer. The Blending option will create the outline of the speech bubble at the end of the process. Select Stroke and make the following settings:
- Size: 2px
- Position: Inside
- Blend Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- Fill Type: Color
- Color: Black
- Insert your text on the Text layer. This is the text that will fit into the bubble. Use the font you created above or choose a font that matches your visual style. Comic Sans is a popular font.
- Press the bubble layer. Use the Elliptical Marque tool to create a selection bubble around the text you've written. Place the cursor in the center of the text, press alt=""Image" while dragging the mouse to create an elliptical bubble that will form evenly over the text.</li" />
- Select the Polygonal Lasso tool, and hold down the Shift key while holding down to create a triangular tail on the selection.
- Choose white as your foreground fill color.
- Press Alt+del to fill the selection on the bubble layer. The line will automatically form when this occurs, and the speech bubble is complete.
Step 8. Color your comic
This is optional, many successful comics are printed in black and white. There are several options when coloring comics. You can color directly on paper, using a coloring tool, or you can color digitally after scanning the comic into a computer.
- More and more comics are digitally colored. Programs like Illustrator and Photoshop make the coloring process simpler than ever before.
- Remember that the reader will be viewing the entire comic and each frame at the same time. Try to use a color palette that blends in with your comics so the frames don't get in the way.
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Use the color wheel to make sure the colors you use work together harmoniously. The color wheel helps when discovering the myriad colors available on high-end computers.
- Opposite colors on the color wheel complement each other. This color has a high contrast, and should be used in small amounts so as not to overdo it.
- Analogous colors (similar colors) are located close together on the color wheel. This is usually a very beautiful blend of colors to the reader's eye.
- Triadic colors are colors that are evenly distributed on the wheel. Usually you will use one color as the dominant color, and the other two for the accent.
Part 4 of 4: Publishing Your Comic
Step 1. Upload it on the host image and share the link
If you want to share your comics with friends and family, uploading on an image host will be the cheapest (free) and easy way. Create an account with a service like PhotoBucket, ImageShack, or imgur and upload your creations.
Send the link to whoever you want, post it on your social networks, tweet the URL to anyone who wants to read it. Find comic fan forums and post your link for everyone in the world to see
Step 2. Create a DeviantArt account
DeviantArt is one of the most popular online places for art posts. They have a fully reserved section for cartoons and comics. When you post your image, fans can leave comments, giving you the opportunity to interact with readers.
Interacting with other artists on DeviantArt can give you new ideas and perspectives for your creations
Step 3. Create your own comic web page
If you think you have enough content to share with the world, start your own comic web page. It's a great way to grow readers for your work without having to go through public publishing channels. This will take more time and dedication than just using an image host service, but the benefits are huge.
- Create attractive looking web pages. If the web page doesn't work well and doesn't match the aesthetics of your comic, it will disinterest the reader. Take your time and see how successful web comics incorporate comic styles into web page designs.
- Have your web page professionally designed. It may be cheaper than you think, especially if you are using the services of a novice designer. Use resources like DeviantArt to find open-minded people willing to help design your comic web pages.
- Update regularly. The goal of web comics is to get people to revisit them. Create a regular schedule for yourself. If readers know when there's a new release, they'll come back even without you advertising it.
- Interact with your readers. In addition to updating the page with web comics, take your time and blog to respond to reader comments. This will help advertise you as a creator and build a strong bond between you and your readers.
Step 4. Submit on a syndicate
If you feel your strip is suitable for a newspaper, talk to a syndicate. This is a printing group that sells their comics to newspapers around the world. Syndicates receive thousands of submissions each year, and usually select only 3-4 strips. The major comic syndicates are as follows:
- Creators Syndicate
- King Features Syndicate
- Washington Post Writers Group
- Tribune Media Services
- United Feature Syndicate
Step 5. Submit to publisher
If you have strips or comics that aren't suitable for newspapers, you might consider sending them to a mainstream comics publisher. The comic printing industry has grown tremendously over the last few decades, and now accepts all kinds of graphic novels and comic collections. Be aware that DC and Marvel do not accept unsolicited submissions. You need to come up with a name for yourself somewhere first. Some of the major publishers:
- DC Comics
- Marvel
- Image Comics
- Dark Horse
- Apart from the big publishers, there are several independent publishers who are always looking for new submissions.
Step 6. Publish your own comic
Because there are so many tools for publishing, the ease with which something can be published is greatly improved. Resources like Amazon's CreateSpace allow authors to easily do this. CreateSpace will automatically list your comics on Amazon, and will print out multiple copies as you order. This relieves you from producing and distributing.
Tips
- Don't worry if your first comic isn't as good as you expected, practice makes perfect!
- Share your ideas with others. Sometimes a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) opinion beyond yours can shed some light on issues you didn't see, or provide suggestions that could make your comic even better. Sometimes you get lost in the making, and it's easy to overlook the little things.
- Be consistent with your readers, if you start with teen comics, don't end with children's comics, or vice versa.
- Check your spelling. Have a dictionary if you're not sure. You can also try typing your dialogue into a word processor or other computer program that has a spell-check feature. Make sure you don't make general, confusing mistakes. Your spelling is part of the overall quality of your comic, so try to get it right. Spelling is very important!
- Check out your favorite comics for inspiration. If you are not a confident artist, try to emulate their style.
- What image are you good at. It's easier and more relaxing than struggling with something you've never drawn before.
- If you make strips, over time you can loosen up your drawing style. Garfield did it, Peanuts always did.
- Before you start, make a plan. Make some rough drafts and arrangement ideas before you start the final sheet. You want to try to fix all the errors to avoid them, while they are still easy to fix.
- You can make your comic as complex or simple as possible, you are the creator.
- One fast drawing style is called "stick figures". You can use it at the beginning to describe your idea. If you want to stick with stick figures, make sure the way you paint them is unique and interesting.
Warning
- Sometimes it takes time for your comics to be read by many people, don't despair!
- Be careful not to copy other people's ideas! You may be inspired by other comics, but the idea belongs to the person who created it. Be creative, and come up with your own ideas.
