Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [comics]

Writing for comic books, graphic novels, manga, etc.

Questions about writing within comics. How to write for a comic. Structural questions. Includes all forms of sequential art: Comic books, graphic novels, manga, comic strips, webcomics, etc.

102 questions
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10 answers

Should I defend my character's appearance?

I'm in talks with a publisher about my comic book. In it, the main character is a hunter who hunts monsters, but in a way inspired by how real hunters hunt. My editor suggests that the character wears a hoodie whenever he is sneaking, to inform the…
M Arif Rahman Winandar
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19
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8 answers

How do you explain that the people talking English in a comic book are talking in a language other than English?

How do you explain that the people talking English in a comic book are talking in another language that isn't English? Let's say that in panels 1, 2, and 4 the characters don't talk in English, but the dialogue is still translated into English…
user36239
13
votes
5 answers

Good books on writing for comics?

Me and a friend of mine has been thinking about joining forces and make a comic. She is an excellent drawer/illustrator while I perform better in the story/character/writing part of things. I guess the best way to start would be to throw ourselves…
erikric
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12
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6 answers

How to handle translation of a language in a comic, while preserving a sense that the language is significant?

I am producing a comic in which a fictional language is frequently spoken. This language (and which characters are able to speak it) is significant to the plot, so it's important that the reader knows when it (rather than English) is being…
TheTermiteSociety
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11
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3 answers

How do you merge two comics panels into one?

I thought about it, and I am wondering if there's a way to put 5 seconds of action in 1 single comic frame, or you need to make 5 frames or 1 for each action. Consider the following fictional excerpt. He smashed his shield against the guard, and…
user36239
11
votes
4 answers

How can I introduce the names of fantasy creatures to the reader?

In the story, these fantasy creatures are everyday animals that most people in the story already know. How can I introduce them in an natural way that instantly makes readers remember their names? The story is in comic book form, so that might open…
M Arif Rahman Winandar
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11
votes
2 answers

How should I go with hiring an illustrator for a webcomic?

I want to start writing a webcomic, but as my talent as an illustrator is limited, I would only write the scripts and let to someone else the task to bring my script into picture. The only problem is that I don't know anyone who could do that. The…
Eldros
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10
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5 answers

How do you cover an F1 race in a comic book?

Let's say you wrote a comic book about F1 racing, how would you cover an entire race? Should you spend 10 volumes to cover a single race, or should you just skip times very often? For example, 3 panels for 30 seconds in lap 3, then 4 panels for 40…
user36239
10
votes
8 answers

How does one avoid inevitable influences being obvious when writing something like superheroes?

So I have been debating writing a story idea I have had swimming in my head for a long time. I love superhero comics, and I love the more character driven aspects of the stories. I have been tinkering in my mind with an idea for a story like this,…
Scott.Bell
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10
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2 answers

What are the structural differences between scripts for comics and scripts for films?

Has anyone experienced the transition from writing plots/stories for comics to writing a script viable for films? If so, what are the main differences and challenges?
Max Bolondi
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8
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3 answers

How do you show a wolf howling in a comic book panel if the wolf isn't visible?

How do you show a wolf howling in a comic book panel if the wolf isn't visible? In some movies, you see a shot of a mountain and you hear wolves howling in the distance, perhaps behind the camera. How do you do this in a comic panel? The issue is…
user36239
6
votes
3 answers

How do I start off in web comics?

I’m a beginner writer planning on learning how to write webcomics. My main one is an adventure/fantasy webcomic and the other is a card battle webcomic (I draw a lot of inspiration from anime and manga if you couldn’t tell). How do I begin to learn…
Voizex
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6
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2 answers

Owning comic book characters

I am currently writing an ongoing comic series, along with a co-author. Some of the characters in the book were created by me, some by the co-author, and some by third parties. All characters in this discussion were created for this series and are…
El Cadejo
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6
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3 answers

Comics marketing: focus on issues or collections?

Situation: 5 year comic book series (by my spouse; I do marketing, website, etc) 4 issues a year (in theory...it's been slower) Issues are available as e-comic only Every 4 issues is collected into a book Books are available as e-books and as trade…
Cyn
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5
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3 answers

How do I write for webcomics?

I want to start a webcomic. For this, I expect I'll be doing a lot of writing. I once had someone draw a webcomic based on my writing and it was a nonsensical mess. The art was good, but nobody knew what was going on at any given moment, even with…
Mindblade16
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