Greetings, fellow comic dreamers! Dariru here, ready to dive into the wild world of making comics. So, you’ve got the itch to create your own comic, but you’re staring at a blank page, unsure where to start? Fear not, my friends, for today, we’re going to take a whirlwind tour of the comic creation process.
THE IDEA
First things first – you need an idea, a spark that sets your comic apart from the rest. Imagine it: you’re the architect of your comic realm, you’re creating up a storm, but something is missing. It’s that “je ne sais quoi”. It’s that thing that makes your world special, different than the rest. So, where do we start?
With a gimmick, my friends!
A character, world or story element needs some kind of interesting trait. Something that we haven’t seen before or that we HAVE seen before but in a new light. Look at Marvel or DC – each hero is a walking, talking gimmick extravaganza, and we love them for it! Or take the great sci-fi stories. They’ve all got concepts so wild, so mind-bending, that readers can’t help but get sucked into their intergalactic whirlwind. Need ideas to get you started? Think of spaceships powered by laughter or a planet where socks are the currency – let your imagination run wild! So, brainstorm, scribble, and find that special something that makes your comic shine.
THE STORY
Now, you need the most important foundational element of a comic: the story! And here’s a secret – your comic story doesn’t need to be Shakespearean. We’re not penning tragic sonnets here; we’re creating a rocking song of visual delights! And that’s the key. Comics are visual stories. So if your prose isn’t up to snuff, don’t worry! The art can smooth it out. That’s one reason comics are a fantastic starting point for aspiring writers.
Unlike the rigid rules of novels or movies, comics are this rebellious art form where you can get away with a lot more. It’s like the wild west of storytelling, and we’re gunslingers with pens. Now, I get it, not everyone’s a born storyteller. But fear not, my friends, for there are options aplenty. Don’t want to tackle the story on your own? Team up with a fellow wordsmith or, heck, hire a writer! There’s a whole battalion of them itching to weave tales of wonder, though a fair warning – compensate them for their storytelling prowess (money is the best, cookies and love come in a close second).
But here’s the golden rule – your story needs to resonate with readers. It’s not JUST about pretty pictures; it’s about crafting characters that jump off the page, scenarios that make readers go “whoa,” and a touch of relatability that tugs at the heartstrings. Honoring the rule will be what transforms your comic from mere pages to a portal into a captivating world.
THE ART
Once your story is locked and loaded, it’s time to bring it to life. If you’re a drawing maestro, fantastic! But if not, don’t worry, comics aren’t known for being fine works of art (although they can be). Drawing comics is a great place to develop art skills and Learn to Draw, as often crude or simplistic drawing can add charm or style to a story. But if art isn’t your thing, fear not – artists abound everywhere! You just need to figure out what kind you want.
Now, traditionally in comics from the good ol’ US of A, there’s a dynamic duo at play – the penciller who lays out the pages with finesse and puts down the initial lines, and the inker who swoops in to add those intricate details and fill everything in. But guess what? Thanks to the wonders of tablets and computers, artists can now wear both hats digitally, seamlessly dancing between roles. Choices, choices!
So, where do you find these magical beings who turn your ideas into visual wonders? Well, fear not, because the internet is your oyster. Dive into the vast sea of artists on Deviant Art, Twitter, Instagram – basically, every nook and cranny of social media.
But, and this is crucial, when you find your artistic soulmate, be clear about what you want and, above all, be respectful. Oh, and here’s the big one – offer some moolah.
Drawing a comic isn’t a walk in the park; it’s a commitment of hours, days, weeks, and sometimes months. Expecting an artist to do it for free or a vague promise of exposure is like asking someone to scale Mount Everest without oxygen – not cool. Artists deserve their fair share, and it’s not just about sales percentages (usually around 50%). No, no, my friends, it’s about offering a solid page rate on top of that. It’s the right thing to do, and trust me, it’s a win-win. You get top-notch work, and you keep your artist happily drawing more comics in the future.
FINDING COLLABORATORS
There are many places to find artists, writers and collaborators. I found a few jobs and collaborators on the old Digital Webbings forums. Here are some other places:
Now, I know not everyone follows this golden rule, but let’s be the cool kids who do. In the grand tapestry of comic creation, treating your artists right will provide you with dividends more valuable than gold.
COLORING
Once your artistic masterpiece is on paper (or, you know, digitally on a screen), it’s time for the grand finale – the ‘polish.’
Now, here’s the lowdown: if you’re vibing with a manga audience, going black and white is the golden ticket. It’s quicker, it’s cooler, and heck, the artist might even sprinkle their own magic and handle it. But, hold on to your hats, because if you’re cruising down the traditional comic route, color becomes the main event. The audience expects it, heck, some even demand it.
But what if your artist isn’t exactly Picasso when it comes to coloring? No stress, my friends, because the magical realm of colorists awaits. They’re like the wizards of hues, turning your black and white wonders into a vibrant kaleidoscope. Where to find them? Well, the same treasure troves as your artists – Deviant Art, Twitter, Instagram, (that list I provided above), you name it. But fair warning, it’s a bit more niche and might take a dash more effort to uncover these color maestros.
Now, the big question – how detailed do you want this splash of color? Are we talking a painterly masterpiece or a stylish set of simple flats? Depending on your artistic dreams, finding the right colorist might be a smidge challenging, and yes, it might cost you a bit more. Colorists usually roll with a flat fee upfront, and trust me, it’s like paying the chef to sprinkle that extra bit of magic on your dish.
LETTERING
Last but certainly not least, the unsung hero of comic creation – the letterer. Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, what’s a letterer?” Well, my friends, they’re the wizards who sprinkle the words over your pages, making your comic shine like a diamond in the rough.
There’s a certain art to lettering – it’s not just slapping words on a page. A good letterer is like the fairy godparent of your comic, adding all those delightful dialog bubbles, throwing in some sound effects, and heck, even adding a few flourishes here and there for that extra razzle-dazzle. It’s the secret sauce that turns your visual feast into a professional-looking banquet.
But guess what? You, yes, you, can be the maestro of letters too! It’s a skill you can easily pick up, and trust me, it’s not rocket science. Dive into the sea of knowledge (maybe right here), do a bit of research, and voila! With tools like Clip Studio, you can waltz into the world of lettering like a boss. It’s something you can learn at your own pace, and before you know it, you’ll be the lettering virtuoso of your own comic kingdom.
DISTRIBUTION
So, you’ve birthed your masterpiece, the ink is dry, the colors pop, and the letters sing. But hold onto your capes, because the real quest awaits – distribution! How do you want the world to feast its eyes on your comic magic? In this age of endless possibilities, the choices are as diverse as the heroes in your stories – traditional floppies, online strips, webtoons, Kindle/Comixology e-comics – the list goes on, fueled by the boundless realms of imagination. Yet, my fellow creators, you face a pivotal crossroad: do you dance with a publisher or take the reins and self-distribute?
Now, let me spill the tea on Finding a Publisher– publishers are like elusive unicorns. They’re out there, but catching one is a mythical feat. Pitch packages, submissions, and rejection galore! Brace yourselves, for rejection is the bitter pill all creators must swallow. I’ve lost count of my rejection letters, I stopped 10 years ago at around 300, so I’m figuring around 500. But who’s counting, right? Cold submissions? Rarely a success story. My comics found their way into the world through connections, friendships, or someone at the company thinking, “Yeah, let’s work with this guy.”
Enter the more practical route – self-distribution. Forget the arduous journey with Diamond (the once comic distributor overlord). Embrace the digital era! Launch on Comixology/Kindle or Global Comix, or heck, let your comic soar as a webtoon. The possibilities are as vast as the cosmic void. Want to launch it as webpage? Sure thing, creator extraordinaire! The sky’s the limit.
PROMOTION
Ah, but here comes the beastly final challenge of making comics – promotion. It’s the final boss battle in the realm of comic-making (and, let’s face it, any art creation). Artists want to create, not shout from the mountaintops about their creations. Yet, in a world drowning in entertainment options, promotion is the spell that summons readers to your comic kingdom.
In the grand symphony of entertainment choices – movies, video games, phones glued to our hands, books galore – comics sometimes feel like the unsung hero. People are like, “Comics? Is that still a thing?” So good or bad, promotion is the golden key to unveiling your masterpiece to the world. Some say social media is the superhero of self-promotion. That you should head over to places like Twitter and Instagram and shout from the virtual rooftops! Others say dive into the podcast realm, dance with comic websites, and even summon the mighty review gods to shower your creation with praises.
Now, here’s the kicker – even when you unleash this promotional wizardry, it doesn’t guarantee a horde of readers banging down your door. Trust me, I’ve been there, tried it all, and still do a little promotional rain dance. It hasn’t worked for me. Building a network, my friends, that’s the secret sauce. Knowing fellow creators, joining forces, and creating a ripple effect – that’s the secret handshake to comic success. Or maybe it isn’t, and magic of promotion is just that: magic.
THE END?
Now, here’s a little secret – I’m no comic guru. Not by a long shot. I’ve stumbled, tripped, and cartwheeled my way through this creative labyrinth, trying to figure out what works for me. Success? Well, let’s say it’s been more of a slow dance than a victory lap.
But here’s the thing – who’s to say what’s the “right” way? We’re all crafting our unique paths in this comic cosmos. Now, I could sit here and spill all the beans about my journey, the ups, the downs, the questionable decisions, and the happy accidents. And trust me, I will in future episodes. But for now, my golden nugget of wisdom is this: create!
Yep, you heard it. Dive headfirst into that sea of creativity, let your ideas flow like a cosmic river. But something else you should do, something possibly even more important than creating – network! Success isn’t a solo mission; it’s a team sport. Connect with your fellow creators, build your tribe, and together, let’s create a comic universe that’s uniquely ours.
So, buckle up, creators of the cosmos! The journey might be unpredictable, but every twist and turn is a brushstroke in your artistic saga. Let’s create, let’s network, and who knows, we might just stumble upon the secret recipe for comic magic.
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*I don’t use AI for my artwork. These filler images are just for fun and aren’t meant to represent my art so they have been labeled “AI GENERATED.” I want my blog to be enjoyable for you but I don’t have 2-6 hours to draw each image (this blog is done in my free time). If you’re against AI in art, please direct your criticism elsewhere.
