How to make a comic book (part one)

Early concepts, planning narratives, starting a script + more!

Missed my last premium guide? Are you a new premium subscriber? Check out my previous guide ‘What I’ve learned about ‘making it’ in comics after 10 years’ for even more tips.

---

“How do you make a comic book?”

I feel like this is the comic-related question I get asked most at comic conventions and over social media. It’s a broad question, like a puzzle box that doesn’t have an easy, immediate answer. That’s because there are so many small steps, nuances and variables that completely depend on the individual, and the type of project they want to make.

This isn’t a bad thing at all, as I mentioned in my previous guide that no two comic creators are made equal. The same goes for comic books themselves, and the processes that led to their creation. We all tackle this in our own way.

So, where to begin?

Personally, when people ask about my process, I have to come clean and explain that - beyond a few regular steps - I’m a bit more loose with my process. I’m always trying new methods and (like many of us comic creatives out there) there’s a great deal of ‘winging it’ involved.

But that’s not exactly a helpful answer, so I’m going to break down some common approaches, simple steps and great advice that have served me well over the past ten years. Some of these pointers are my own, while many of them have come from other creatives in the comic space.

Before you dive in, however, keep in mind that there’s no one true method to making a completed comic - beyond the iron clad must-haves (such as layouts, formatting and other golden rules, which I’ll cover in a future part of this series).

It definitely pays to speak with other comic creatives online to hear about their own approach. Get involved in discussions on social, chat with them at their convention tables and more. This will help you get a broad range of perspectives and advice, so you can gauge what works for you - and eventually, your own favoured methods will start to emerge.

And remember, like most creative endeavours, there’s a great deal of trial and error involved here. All of us are always learning - from the superstar comic person working for Marvel and DC, to the self-published crews making superb work through crowdfunding.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go!