Any good resources for comic scripting/layout?

Basil Godevenos

Hey all,

Does anyone have any good leads on resources for learning how to script and layout a comic book?

I don't see any SVS course that covers that so wondering if anyone can recommend anything.

Thanks in advance!

Basil Godevenos

For a bit more clarity, I'll share some examples of what I'm hoping to learn.

how to pace the story/action from panel to panel, page to page (basic "rules" on when to use a full page spread or when to use a bunch of panels, for example)
are there specific story beats in comics that differ from other media?

StudioLooong

@Basil-Godevenos this google doc is filled with great resources! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uU88rvvuLglSilok2pGVzNJ-GkUYjvrcpoyvYPAz0xE/edit

in the writing section it links to a page written by Chris Oatly that has tips as well as example scripts which I think is super helpful. https://chrisoatley.com/how-to-write-a-comic-book-script/

Basil Godevenos

@StudioLooong Holy Moly. Thanks for this! This is great!!!

StudioLooong

@Basil-Godevenos yeah you could spend months going through all of it, Evan was super thorough!

CosmoglotJay

Have you read "Understanding Comics" or "Making Comics" by Scott McCloud?

danielerossi

@StudioLooong @StudioLooong Oh wow thanks for this! Very timely for me, too.

Basil Godevenos

@CosmoglotJay I have not! But I'll definitely take a look. Thanks for the recos! Would you say it's ok to skip the middle book - "Reinventing Comics"?

Kat

@Basil-Godevenos have you looked at Jake's SVS video - Making Graphic Novels? Might be exactly what you're looking for.

Basil Godevenos

@Kat Not yet! I found it after making this post. I had been searching for the keyword "comic" rather than graphic novel.

CosmoglotJay

@Basil-Godevenos yeah, you can probably skip that one - or at least put it off until last. Unlike the other two, it got pretty dated pretty quickly. The two I mentioned are destined to be (almost) timeless classics.

deborah Haagenson

There was a magazine for years titled 'Draw!' It was all about drawing comics. It might be difficult to find exactly what your looking for in them right now, but they're packed with in depth interviews and lots of ideas about drawing comic books. You can find old copies on ebay.

ArtofAleksey

@StudioLooong oh dang thanks! i started outlining my comic ideas a few weeks ago.

Basil Godevenos

@CosmoglotJay Thanks for the tip. I picked up the other two books and I've started reading "Understanding". Great so far!

Christine Garner

Doug TenNapel has some videos on story planning for comics/graphic novels. https://youtu.be/XUGxTu-2y4M