Creating a comic book requires skill, patience, and planning ahead. Follow this step-by-step guide to bring your comic book project to life:
- Choose an idea you believe in.
- Research comic book genre before you start creating your own comic book.
- Start adding content to your frames.
- Organize the layout before you start drawing the actual comic.
Getting Started
How do comics usually start? Begin by selecting an idea that resonates with you. Take time to understand the various genres available to find your niche.
Artistic Considerations
If you are aiming to create a comic for a newspaper, draw it at double size to ease the details’ depiction. For web comics, consider the viewers’ display sizes and avoid making them scroll horizontally.
A single frame comic is often used for comedy and relies heavily on visual gags and brief dialogue without requiring a sequential narrative.
Before moving forward, here’s a reminder:
While I try not to use too many comics specific lingo in this guide, some of it may be unavoidable. Refer to the Glossary of Comic Book Terms if needed.
Explore Archie Comics and the relaunch around the time of the CW’s Riverdale. You’ll find resources such as a reading order guide helpful for new readers.
Comic Book Formats and Publishing
Mini comics are typically less than 20 pages, and a traditional-sized comic book will have 24, 32, 36, or 48 pages. After printing, the pages are cut and stacked in order.
A comic strip is a sequence of frames, usually short enough to produce regularly and still allow narrative development.
New comic book issues usually arrive in stores on Wednesdays, contained within magazine-like collectibles. If you’re starting a collection, look up new series launches to follow the story arc from the beginning.
The Financials of Comics
How much does a comic cost? The average price is $2.99, with some larger issues priced at $3.99 or $4.99.
Writing Your Comic Script
A comic book script typically includes panel descriptions detailing the setting, characters, actions, and dialogue.
Outline your story covering the main points of your history.
Remember that a comic book is, first of all, a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Creating a Comic Script Format
Okay, you have a comic book idea, but what about the script format?
- Before writing your comic script, outline your story.
- A full script consists of panel descriptions and dialogue for five panels per script page.