You've been wanting to make a comic book for a long time, but don't know where to start, or don't know what to do? Comics are a rich and fun art form, combining great-looking illustrations with fast-paced dialogue and storytelling. Comics grew in popularity and eventually got the recognition and respect it deserved. While there is no “right” way to write a comic book, any budding writer should consider a few things to produce quality comics.
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Method 1 of 3: Creating Interesting Story Concepts
Step 1. Think of a short visual story that you can put down on paper
Comics have high appeal because they combine words with cinematic images, or in other words, combine the best aspects of novels and films. Don't forget this feature when you're thinking about story ideas. Think of something that will allow you to present interesting pictures and coherent conversation/dialogue. There is no limit to the ideas you can use. However, try to consider the following points:
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Keep the story visual:
Conversation taking place in one room may not be a good idea because it doesn't allow for many scene changes. A character who thinks and contemplates may be successful, especially if his background reflects his changing mind.
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Simplify the story:
Showing more characters, locations, and action makes for a good comic, but you'll also increase the illustrator's workload. The best comics tell stories quickly and efficiently, using dialogue and pictures to keep the action going.
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Have an Artistic Style:
Great comics are designed to match the image to the writing style, such as the fluid image of dull water in the comic V for Vendetta. In short, the illustrations must match the writing style.
Step 2. Formulate the plot in paragraph form
Start writing without worrying about form, content, or layout. Once you have a clear idea, let the strokes flow. Put a character or idea in motion and see what happens. It doesn't matter if you have to throw away 90% of this part. Keep in mind the advice from writer and animator Dan Harmon, who said that 98% of the first draft was bad, but that subsequent drafts were only 96% bad, and so on until you get a great story. Find that truly awesome 2% and grow:
- Which character had the most fun while you were writing them?
- Which part of the plot is the most interesting to explore?
- Is there an interesting idea that you find difficult to write down? Consider digging it up.
- Discuss this draft with a few friends to get their opinion and ask them which part they liked and how you should proceed.
Step 3. Create a solid, attractive, but flawed character
In almost all great movies, comics, and books, it's the characters who advance the plot. In comic books, it's common for the main characters to want something but can't get it, such as a villain trying to rule the world (and a hero who stands in his way) or a young woman trying to understand the complex political world of Persepolis. An engaging comic book, whether about superheroes or ordinary people, recounts the struggles, difficulties and shortcomings of the characters as they try to achieve their goals. Here are the traits of a great character:
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Has strengths and weaknesses.
This makes them feel close. The reason we love Superman isn't just because he's trying to save the world, but also because his clumsy alter ego, Clark Kent, reminds us of the awkwardness and nervousness we experience in everyday life.
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Have desires and fears.
Great characters often want something they can't achieve which creates conflict and makes the plot more interesting. It is no mistake that Bruce Wayne is afraid of bats, just as he is afraid of failing to save the city and his parents. This characteristic made him easier to understand than the strange man wearing a cloak.
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Have autonomy.
Whenever a character makes a choice, make sure he decides to do it himself, there is no writer's intervention pushing him to "meet the needs of the story" because that can be the quickest way to lose the reader's interest.
Step 4. Introduce the problem, show failure to solve it, then come up with a solution by creating surprises to run the plot
If these steps seem very simple, it's because they are. However, these steps are the forerunner of all plots. You have characters and they have problems (Joker runs rampant, Avengers scatters, Scott Pilgrim gets dumped by his girlfriend). They decide to fix the problem and fail (Joker runs away, Captain America and Iron Man start fighting, Scott Pilgrim has to fight his 7 ex-girlfriends). In the final climax, your character finally wins (Batman defeats the Joker, Captain America and Iron Man reconcile, Scott Pilgrim gets a girlfriend). This is the main point of this plot and you can work on it however you want. However, knowing these three jumps will save you the stress of writing your story.
- "Act one: make the hero climb a tree. Act two: throw stones at him. Act three: make him come down."-Anonymous
- Make the main character's life like in hell. That way, their success will be even more brilliant.
- You can and should always play with these structures. Don't forget that (be careful) Captain America was killed after peace was reached in Civil War. This moment is great because it plays into a three-act structure, even if it is countered by a surprising second climactic moment.
Step 5. If possible, convey information visually, instead of using dialogue or exposition
For example, let's say you have a character who has to submit an essay or doesn't pass the subject. You can get the character to wake up and tell his mother, “I have to turn in this essay or I don't pass.” However, for the reader this matter is simple and unsatisfactory. Consider several ways to visually convey this same plot:
- A page of illustrations depicting a character frantically breaking through a door, running down a corridor, arriving at the teacher's room, and finding a "Closed" announcement.
- An announcement on the wall that reads “Essays must be submitted by TODAY!” just passed by the main character when leaving the class.
- Another illustration shows all the other students handing in essays, while the main character sits alone at the table writing frantically, or propping his head with his hands.
Step 6. Use drafts and paragraphs to create a timeline for developing the action and characters in the story
Perform this task with care, while working through each plot point and action until it reaches the pivotal moment. Think of these points on every page of a comic book. You have to make the story progress every time the reader turns the page.
- What is the important part in each scene? What moment or dialogue drives one scene to the next.
- In any narrative form, each scene must end in a different place from where it started, for both the reader, the plot, and/or the characters. Otherwise, the whole book will just go round and round!
Step 7. Write the dialogue, while working with friends to make the results look realistic
Finally, once the story and characters are ready, it's time for you to write the dialogue. The key is to make each character sound as realistic as possible. There's an easy way to do this: ask someone to read each character's dialogue. Invite 1-2 close friends and ask them to read the dialogue like a script. You'll know right away when the reader won't understand it or the dialogue sounds unnatural.
There are no restrictions if you want to write the dialogue first! If you enjoy writing play or film scripts, you may find it more comfortable to write scenes in dialogue rather than timelines
Method 2 of 3: Creating the Initial Sketch
Step 1. Use a preliminary sketch or mock-up to test the idea, style, layout and rhythm of the story without devoting too much time to the details
The “initial sketch” is basically a complete comic book outline, page by page. You don't need to work on it in detail like the bigger layout problems. Instead, you have to decide how many boxes or dialogs to place on each page, where do you want to place “custom pages” (such as full-page boxes), and whether the format of each page will be the same or will it change depending on the mood? It is at this stage that you begin to combine words with pictures. So, have fun.
- If you don't have a knack for drawing, you can wait before hiring an illustrator. Instead, you should focus on the basics. Even drawings with stick figures can help you come up with ideas and visualize the end result of the comic.
- Even though this is “just” a preliminary sketch, you should take it seriously. This initial sketch will be the blueprint for your final project. So you can treat it like a sketch of a painting, not a doodle to be thrown away.
Step 2. Create multiple timelines:
one for the content you're going to show readers, the actions that have to happen, character development, and so on. You'll also need a timeline for each character so you know what's going on in their life so far, what their future holds, and so on. This step will help you place the characters and dialogue appropriately on each page, visualizing where the characters should be in each section of the book.
Step 3. Divide the blank page into squares for your story
Remember, the rhythm of the story. So, if the main character has just found the bones of a monster in his backyard, readers can look at the beautiful illustrations and take time to admire them.
Step 4. Use the timeline as a guide, then fill in the box with a description or sketch of the action that the reader will see and the dialogue they will read
Remember that dialogue in comics can be seen. So you have to put in each box. Try not to cram too many words at once.
- For this reason, some comic books allow dialogue balloons to cross other boxes, creating a more relaxed and chaotic impression.
- For longer dialogues or monologues, consider connecting dialog bubbles from one box to another. The same characters speak the same dialogue, only with a different background of action.
Step 5. Place the script pages and images side by side while working
Many professionals use two pages, one for the script and one for the images. Remember, the key to a comic's success is the balance between words and pictures, and it's easier for you to see them side by side. You can check each legend (caption) and box as you work. For example, a script might contain the following description:
- [Thing. 1] Spiderman swings over the street and sees two police cars chasing a yellow sports car.
- Legend1: Hmm… strange, it's very quiet today.
- Legend2: Oh no, I talk too fast!
- [Thing. 2] Spiderman swings over the streets and two empty spaces for the legend.
Step 6. Hire an artist or complete the work yourself, once you are satisfied with the initial sketch
If you work as seriously as a pro, it's possible that you can turn your initial sketches into a comic book yourself. Otherwise, finish the comic book itself using the initial sketch as a guide. Sketching, highlighting with ink, and coloring comic books is a serious task, but also a lot of fun.
- If you hire a comic illustrator, send them a script and ask for a sample of their work. That way, you can see if the visual style is right for you.
- Creating comic illustrations is a challenging and interesting art form, and requires serious learning.
Method 3 of 3: Publishing Comics
Step 1. Consider writing free digital comics on the internet to generate interest and buzz
The digital age provides endless opportunities to market and publish your work. Don't waste this opportunity. Short comics on the internet. In many ways, short comics published on the internet have replaced conventional comic books as the unavoidable way to graphic novels, and usually consist of all comic strips arranged in one book. Better yet, you can use digital comics on the internet to develop stories or characters in a book, which can entice readers to buy the “real book”.
- Access social media every day, even if it's only for 20 minutes. This is important for creating traction on the internet and attracting potential readers.
- If you have a large list of followers, on any platform, the publisher is more likely to see your work and like it. Having a following will show them that someone wants to buy that comic book.
Step 2. Create a “target list” for publishers who publish comic books and graphic novels similar to yours
Look for your favorite comic book authors and publishers who tend to have a style or theme similar to yours. On the other hand, be sure to diversify as this list may not be very long! Remember, while working for Marvel or DC can be a spectacular opportunity, it's rare for a budding writer to break into such a major publisher. You're better off targeting small, independent publishers for better odds.
- Look up each publisher's contact information, including email, website, and address.
- If you want to publish a graphic novel, be sure to find out if the publisher has a special division for graphic arts or if they accept all manuscripts the same way.
Step 3. Submit a sample of your work to the target publisher
Look online to see if publishers accept “unsolicited manuscripts”, meaning you can submit your work even if they don't ask for it. Read all the rules and guidelines, then submit your best work. Not all publishers will reply. That's why you should make the list as long as possible.
- The cover letter or email should be short and professional. Your goal is to get them to read your story, not about you!
- Be sure to include artistic samples along with the story.
Step 4. Consider publishing your own book
This choice may be daunting, but not impossible. Printing costs may be high, but you have complete control over the entire process. That way, you can ensure that the entire vision can be poured over the pages of the book without any filters.
To self-publish your comic book, you can simply save the pages in PDF format using Amazon Self Publish or a similar website
Step 5. Understand early on that the publishing world is not always easy or fair
There are so many manuscripts that reach the editorial desk and many are discarded unread. This warning is not meant to discourage you (many great books have made it through), but be prepared for the hard work that awaits. Having a comic you love and make you proud will make the effort to publish it more bearable.
Don't forget that even the most famous writers were rejected 100 times before becoming successful. This reality may hurt, but continuing to work tirelessly will tell the difference between published and unpublished comics
Warning
- Remember, HAL. 1 will face the inside of the front cover. So, don't make an illustration 2 pages to page 2. Likewise, page 22 will face the inside of the back cover.
- If you want to create a 2-page illustration, try starting on an even page.
