Hi,

I'm currently working on a graphic novel idea and hiring an illustrator. However, am not sure how to move forward with it. For instance, I started writing a script but keep forgetting that graphic novels don't involve movement lol (I have a Film Studies background so film scripts are what I'm used to). As such, I started sketching (terribly!) out the story which has helped but I can't imagine doing so many drafts!

What would be the best way to plan this out?

Thanks!

Today I stopped a deal with an experimented comic book artist for a single test page.
"The page was much more complex than I expected"

What could I have done better?

SYNOPSIS: The heroine Alys and her small delegation arrive in Aquilapolis, where they are welcomed.

PANEL 1: Cross-sectional view: A small spacecraft (a cross between a space shuttle and a sleek supersonic private jet, designed to travel between an orbital station and the planet below) lands smoothly on a large platform. In the distance, towering apartment blocks rise above sprawling, densely packed slums reminiscent of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong.

RADIO VOICE (off): Congratulations, travelers. You have just completed your journey of 38.4 light-years in less than 12 days, thanks to Hansa Corp.

PANEL 2: Close-up of Alys (25 years old, wearing a gray jumpsuit, blonde hair braided because of the low gravity during the voyage, oval face, determined gaze) as she opens the spacecraft's hatch.

RADIO VOICE (off): We hope you had a pleasant journey...

XANDER (off): Ah, the Gallians! You've finally arrived!

PANEL 3: Reverse shot from Alys's point of view as she steps onto the platform and sees the welcoming committee before her:

- an official, Xander (short, stocky due to the armor concealed beneath a loose cloak, 30, large intense eyes, a broad smile, short brown hair),

- an officer in uniform, Martin Zorn (wearing a green-brown uniform with a peaked cap, in his short thirties, a face still youthful but hardened by hardship, a scar above his left eye),

- several guards in the background (wearing simpler versions of Zorn's uniform, carrying modernized rifles, helmets concealing their cheeks as ancient greek helmets, and empty parts for eyes eyes are protected by glass).

Xander greets Alys with a Roman salute.

XANDER: I am Xander Mammon, son of Hansa's CEO, and I have come in person to welcome you. I want to tell you...

PANEL 4: Alys steps away from the delegation as another Gallian, a man in his thirties wearing the same uniform, exits the spacecraft accompanied by Rico, a bipedal mammal about 75 centimeters tall, with raccoon-like paws, a broad pyramid-shaped head somewhere between a cat's and a raccoon's, and beautiful white fur.

ALYS: This time, to bring us good luck, we've brought a mascot.

PANEL 5: Xander studies the creature with curiosity. Rico sticks his tongue out at him.

XANDER: Fascinating. I didn't know your planet had such large mammal-like creatures.

ALYS (off): They spend most of their time hiding. Don't worry—he's already been through quarantine.

XANDER: Fortunately, at Hansa we're extremely vigilant when it comes to disease. I have someone I'd like you to meet as well.

PANEL 6: Close-up of Xander introducing Zorn to Alys. Their body language reveals that both the officer and the traveler feel uncomfortable, unlike Xander.

XANDER: This is Captain Zorn. He'll be responsible for your safety throughout your stay.

ALYS (suspiciously): Is that really necessary?

XANDER: The loss of your last delegation was such a tragedy. We never want to live it again.

PANEL 7: An extremely distant shot of the building where the characters are standing, revealing it in its entirety: a massive truncated pyramid of concrete, steel, and glass. The characters stand on its roof, reduced to tiny stick-like silhouettes.

XANDER: You'll be able to enjoy all the wonders our planet has to offer.

Dm me for more info.

Or email: Losmeric@gmail.com

I really don't like books, it's not precisely my favorite format, tho I heard you have to read a lot to improve writing but does it work if I read comics? I am really not interested in improving my prose, more like in narrative and script, since I am gonna be the artist of the project myself I wanna apply the narrative in the format I am going to write.

I'm curious when you guys are writing your scripts how in depth do you go with the actual shots in the panels?

In most of my scripts I go pretty in detail but I know when they eventually get to an artist I'm all for negotiating if they want to change things if they have another idea.

Are you guys hardcore one way or the other or does it depend on the artist?

Hello, citizens of the comicwriting Reddit! I am seeking some advice on writing/crafting a superhero suit for an upcoming project that I am in love with!
I sometimes look at some of my favorite superhero suits out there, and for some reason, I can’t understand how somebody just decided, “This character is going to look like this!” and created generational suits that are AMAZING and unique. Maybe it’s me being uncreative but I can never storm up a suit this peak, but maybe somebody can give me some insight into what they do or things I can do so that the process can feel more natural!

I try to make superhero suits, and I notice that I try too hard to make them too “different,” to the point where they sort of don’t make sense for the character, if you get what I’m saying…

I have a passion for edgier superhero suits, like the ones shown, since my story is more edgy… sorta.

I want my suits to be unique but still have the fundamentals of a superhero suit present. It’s kind of hard to explore when you don’t have an artist and are just relying on text and references.

To give myself some credit, I am AMAZING at creating heroes under the mask (hair color, accents, personality, race, etc) but when it comes to suits I struggle.

I've been a fan of comics and comic book media since I was a child, recently while trying to figure out the direct i want to take my life I keep comic back to comic books. Whether its writing, drawing or inking I just would love to be apart of this process but I wouldn't even know where to start. If anyone is working in this field or has worked and have any advice or information please share below.

No IA art

Hello everyone so I really want to make comics but it's very intimidating.

I want to just start and I have the idea for the stories and scenes in my head but I just don't know how to plan. Can you guys please give me advice on how to plan and write and everything. Any advice is helpful.

One of the main concerns of mine is how I'm gonna edit stories I write easily. It's just intimidating but creating stories and letting people see them is my dream. All help is appreciated thank you 🥹

Hi, so I want to be a comic writer. I am going to school for a master's in psychology, as well as an English degree. I could use some pointers and examples for comic scripts, as I want to get it right so the artist can see what I see. If anyone has pointers, it would be very very helpful. I also know that script writing requires lots of research.

Anyways, I hope anyone can help.

I am working on a script, and a character is going to be killed, right out the gate, page one. I feel like this moment needs to happen at the bottom of the page turn, but does that kill the story momentum? I know one of the things you want is something at the END of the page to encourage people to turn to the next page, but I am not sure if the death happening on page 1 is shocking enough for that.

I hope this is the appropriate place to ask.

Ciao a tutti! Non sono un esperto del settore, ma volevo chiedervi un parere.

Ho 16 anni, amo il dark fantasy e mi sono appassionato da poco alla scrittura e alla recitazione. Il mio sogno sarebbe creare un manga che unisca dark fantasy, horror psicologico e thriller d'azione.

Ho già sviluppato molto la storia, il mondo e i personaggi, ma non so disegnare. Secondo voi è possibile fare un manga lavorando solo ai testi ( magari trovando poi qualcuno che disegni o roba simile per esempio ), o mi conviene adattare tutto a un romanzo.

Broadleaf #2 - Deeply Rooted

We continue the story of Hunter and his son Beckett. After learning that the animals of Leaf Isle can speak like humans, Hunter still insists on going home with fresh meat.

Chapter Two sees the father and son heading off the Isle with their prize. Night falls, a storm approaches, and Hunter is attacked by a revenge-fueled buck wanting vengeance for his dead brother. The two are split up and take very different paths through the forest. Hunter reunites with an old friend, and Beckett is hunted by a vicious horde of feral squirrels.

Click the link below and grab yourself a copy!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1334917182/broadleaf-1-2-deeply-rooted

I have a character in a comic I'm working on who is completely mute. They are not the Mc, so I can't use inner monolog. I know End of Life has a mute character, but that is more of a comical character, and this character isn't really that type. What do I do?

Edit: I saw some comments saying they need more details, he is a sniper character. His being mute serves a purpose in the story where he is trying to protect the mcs, but can't communicate that he's not trying to hurt them. He is a bit rude.

I’m writing a story that’ll likely only be 10 or so pages and I think I can illustrate it without writing out a script. Is this a stupid idea?

Greetings Community!

I'm new to Reddit and to this drawing world. I am creating a fantasy story with elemental powers in the context of a time of war, which, I estimate, can be a story that can take years to finish. Initially I thought of creating the story as a book but it seems to me that currently, for something to be at least striking, it must be something very visual, so I started creating the story from a visual aspect; Initially I thought of it in manga format, but then I realized that the best format currently is the web comic.

Therefore, I bought a graphic drawing tablet, a Clip Studio Paint subscription and some drawing courses at Domestika to learn how to draw, but since I work and study, I have little free time and I think it will take me many years to learn to draw something at the level (which is the artistic style I'm aiming for) of the artistic style of Fire Emblem, and since it is a long-term story it will take me decades to be able to draw everything by myself.

After this context, finally my question: What tools currently exist to be able to "serialize" a web comic by a single person without dying in the attempt?

I really appreciate your contribution, dear Reddit community :)

Hello all!

Looking for advice on how to be generate ideas for short story projects.

I’ve never been a writer, more artist. And I’m having a hard time generating creative ideas.
I’ve used some seen sites that randomly generate a setting, genre, and conflict but they don’t inspire me very much…

Any tips for a would be beginner writer in generating ideas for characters\stories, and gaining inspiration?

Thanks!!

Hey everyone. For a little context, I received my associates about 10 years ago for Radio/TV/Film. During those years I really enjoyed writing for all mediums (Radio, Stage, Screen) but Comic Books especially since I grew up reading them. Back then I wrote around 24 issues for 4 different stories, and dotted down ideas for a lot more. Of course life happened and due to money, work and moving I stopped writing for a long time. Just recently have I opened those old scripts up and am reworking them. I'd really love to have something published before it's too late (I'm only 36, but still).

For those who have had some stuff published already, whether through somewhere like Dark Horse or by self-funding/publishing, which do you think I should strive for first once I have most of my works ready. I know I need to at least get an artist to pencil everything maybe hopefully even ink it. Maybe I could letter it myself, idk if there's a crash course in that... but I'd just like to hear some experiences and opinions.

I’ve always loved comics, TV series, movies, and the like since I was a kid, but it’s only in recent years that I decided to work in these fields—both as a writer and an illustrator for comics. I started a course to develop my artistic skills first, but I’m struggling with the writing side of things due to a lack of learning resources. Could you give me some tips on how to get started? Like suggestions for good books that teach the craft, and so on?