Comic scripts - what to do with them?

MikeC101

Hey guys,

So, I've written (actually it's more am in the process of writing) a few comic scripts, and I'm entirely unsure what to do with them. I don't have the drawing skills needed to draw them myself, but obviously I'd like to see them developed.

What are my avenues? I suppose I could advertise for an artist, but it's not like I can afford to pay - the only payoff would be a share of any money made or, more likely, something to have in the portfolio. Equally, I'd prefer to work with someone in Ireland, as it might make it easier for a more open exchange for ideas.

Should I be looking to comic cons as a way to meet with potential artists?

In case anyones interested, one is a 6 issue story with an action / thriller bent to it - with slightly futuristic elements. The other is a shorter work based on the story of the blues musician Robert Johnson, featuring a slightly Sandman-esque take on his deal with the devil, voodoo, and deities of various natures.

They're formatted fairly simply - a description of the scene, the dialogue, and some notes - with the layout/artistic look left to the artists discretion.

Any advice appreciated!

BTM

It's quite hard to find an artist to draw your comic if you can't pay.

You could try http://www.digitalwebbing.com/talent/ but chances are still low. There's alot of people on that site with good intentions but few that follow through. That goes for writers aswell which is why the good artists are always wary of working with an unknown element.

You said you are in the process of finishing the scripts, so firstly, forget about finding an artist until they are finished. When they are finished find someone to edit it, preferably someone who writes themselves (though doesn't have to be comics). Take their suggestions on board and rewrite and give it to them to edit again. Keep this up until you are happy with the script, or decide to scrap it and start a new one

But a six issue series is NOT the way to start. Work away on this in the background if you want but start writing some 5 page stories. They will develop your storytelling skills and are also much easier to get published than a mini series like yours. Easier though, not easy!

An artist is more likely to work with you for a shorter project. Once you have worked with an artist on something short and developed your working relationship they may be more open to doing a longer project with you.

You can submit short scripts to http://www.futurequake.co.uk and if they accept it for publication they will find an artist for you.

Also, you can submit "Future Shocks" to 2000AD
http://www.2000adonline.com/subs.php


Some links re: short comics & writing in general

http://calebmonroe.com/?p=90
http://users.livejournal.com/_tonylee_/434546.html (part 1)
http://users.livejournal.com/_tonylee_/434822.html (part 2)
http://tysdiorbad.blogspot.com/2008/01/because-i-wanted-to-talk-torob-williams.html
http://tysdiorbad.blogspot.com/2008/01/because-i-wanted-to-talk-tomatt-smith.html
http://calebmonroe.com/?page_id=6
http://joeljohnson.com/archives/2006/08/wally_woods_22.html

and from Al Ewing's twitter feed:
Lots of talk about how to write comics tonight. If you're UK, two words: small press.

You can self-publish on xerox, but there are people like Futurequake more than happy to run future-shock type short strips.
1:36 AM Jun 18th from web

I'm not qualified to talk about the US small press scene, but I can't imagine it isn't just as useful or even more so.
1:39 AM Jun 18th from web

Here's a good exercise to start off with: take a sheet of A4, fold in half once, then again, then a third time, then a fourth.
1:52 AM Jun 18th from web

What you're holding is thirty-two pages long, each page big enough for a smallish panel. Unfold - each side is now divided into 16 panels.
1:53 AM Jun 18th from web

Fill those panels in. Keep refolding every so often to make sure you've got it all the right way up and in the right order.
1:54 AM Jun 18th from web


When you're done, photocopy. Fold the photocopy the same way, staple the middle and then cut the edges. That's a comic.
1:55 AM Jun 18th from web


It's about the size of a business card - you could try using the back page for your name and a web address.
1:55 AM Jun 18th from web


After you've done a few of them, you'll start noticing how you're getting more dense, more concise, using the limited space better.
1:56 AM Jun 18th from web


You'll get an instinctive sense of how much space you have left when you're halfway through a story. All useful skills.
1:57 AM Jun 18th from web


And they're fun to pass around your mates! Don't fall into the trap of thinking these aren't 'proper' comics or it's a waste of time.
1:57 AM Jun 18th from web


A comic is a comic is a comic, and if you make one of these and sell it - ten pee is a good price - you're in comics.
2:00 AM Jun 18th from web
Anyway, enough of that for tonight. Back to work.
2:00 AM Jun 18th from web


If only because I can't take any more boring comics. I want only people coming into the business who have THE THRILL POWER.
12:11 AM Jun 19th from web


Question: which of these two is a more exciting cover blurb? 1. "WHO IS DONNA TROY?"
12:12 AM Jun 19th from web


2. "PLEASE -- LET ME DROWN -- BEFORE THE GIANT SCORPIONS GET ME!!"
12:12 AM Jun 19th from web


If your answer was number 1, GET OUT OF COMICS! YOU ARE NO LONGER NEEDED MEIN HERR, NOT IN MY NEW THRILLOCRACY
12:13 AM Jun 19th from web

@MattBadham Hurm. Tough question. Usually a couple of really awesome scenes pop up first.
12:20 AM Jun 19th from web in reply to MattBadham


The first bit of Dead Signal to occur to me was a guy running across rooftops being chased by a helicopter gunship. That went in.
12:21 AM Jun 19th from web


These are the moments that inform me while I'm writing up the pitch, which is where the editor says Yay or Nay.
12:23 AM Jun 19th from web


If he says Yay, But Do Such-And-Such, it'll become a different sort of thing. In fact, if it's a straight Yay it probably will too.
12:23 AM Jun 19th from web


Things generally change by necessity between the pitch and the actual writing - obviosuly, more ideas start occurring to you.
12:24 AM Jun 19th from web


If it's roughly the same shape when it finishes, Matt's usually okay with that, but your mileage may vary.
12:25 AM Jun 19th from web


Not sure that's answered the question, but I'm not very good at describing my own process so I'll have to leave it vague.
12:26 AM Jun 19th from web


Lots of people following me now because I give advice on 'how to write comics'. Worth mentioning that I've been fired at least once.
4:52 PM Jun 19th from web


And also that my entire expertise is in writing things in short, five-page bursts, hence the 'Bond in three panels' fiasco earlier.
4:53 PM Jun 19th from web


In other words, let the buyer beware.
4:55 PM Jun 19th from web


Handy Hints for Would-Be Writers Dept: If you're anything like me, you will have a plan for a long 'epic' story, lovingly nurtured for years
1:38 AM Jun 20th from web


KILL IT NOW. KILL IT and pull it apart. Then sift through the wreckage for useful bits and use them up on five-page twist-ending stories.
1:39 AM Jun 20th from web


You'll have better ideas later, guaranteed, and your 600-part elf story is going to be the albatross weighing you down otherwise.
1:40 AM Jun 20th from web


"B-but how did you know it was about elves and their relationships and I'd got a graffiti artist who lives in town to do character designs?"
1:40 AM Jun 20th from web

I READ MINDS
1:41 AM Jun 20th from web

===========================

Oh, and buy this book if you don't already own it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Comics-Invisible-Scott-McCloud/dp/006097625X


Hope some of this helps

Brian

MikeC101

Brian - wow, great reply, thanks for providing so much info!

Will take all this on board.