How To Write Comics?
Jake writes and asks: “How do you write comic books?”
Having written only a handful I’m no expert, but here’s my take.
First, if you’re asking about the actual process of writing a comic script, Scott McCloud’s book should explain it all:
And for inspiration I’d check out Writers on Comics Scriptwriting.
If you’re asking how to break into the comic writing business—that’s a MUCH more complicated question.
I’d start by going to various comic publishers’ websites and look at their submission guidelines. I’d write a few darn good spec scripts to show people in case they ask for samples/original ideas. I’d make contact with new artists and get them to draw a few pages for you (with an agreement to split monies should anything come of your joint efforts!).
You should also read what Neil Gaiman has to say about this on his blog.
Good luck!
Having written only a handful I’m no expert, but here’s my take.
First, if you’re asking about the actual process of writing a comic script, Scott McCloud’s book should explain it all:
And for inspiration I’d check out Writers on Comics Scriptwriting.
If you’re asking how to break into the comic writing business—that’s a MUCH more complicated question.
I’d start by going to various comic publishers’ websites and look at their submission guidelines. I’d write a few darn good spec scripts to show people in case they ask for samples/original ideas. I’d make contact with new artists and get them to draw a few pages for you (with an agreement to split monies should anything come of your joint efforts!).
You should also read what Neil Gaiman has to say about this on his blog.
Good luck!
posted by Eric Nylund at 7:56 AM
6 Comments:
Sort of on topic:
Have you read the Hitman comic? It's a dark humor type comic from DC. It follows Tommy Monaghan who's an ex marine turned contract killer from the Irish district of Gotham City. At one point he throws up on Batman's shoes. The cover art for issue #14 is priceless:
Zombie Night At The Gotham Aquarium
Have not read it. Looks cool, though. And Ennis always rocks!
I've read some Hitman and like it. I enjoy almost everything Garth Ennis has written (Preacher is my pick of his body of work).
I recommend Writers on Comics Scriptwriting, Vol. 1 by Mark Salisbury. I also see that Peter David has a book out about how to write comics. He's one of the better comic writers out there and I would imagine that's a good book to check out.
I also agree with your basic point, Eric, that breaking in as a writer is less straightforward than learning how to write a good script.
I've written a script for the first page of a UNSC Chronicles comic book. However, the comic book never got off the ground, but the experience writing it was worth the effort. I'm really new in comic book writing, but I'm looking forward to trying my hand at it. Thanks for the tips Mr. Nylund, and I'll look into those book references too!
All best wishes, UNSC Trooper.
do you have any published comic books?
I got a fairly to the type of person who is serious about writing a good science fiction book and wants to have it published. I am typing my book now and it is coming along good. However I do not know how to make it into a manuscript. Maybe you could help this problem.
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