How to get your comic drawn
I have talked about this before I finally decided to make a blog about this. Instead of putting bits of info here and there I will have all the info in one spot so I can just point at it. A lot of people ask about this and have a lot of questions. I am going to tell you some basic info. There is a book out that Dirk Manning wrote I picked up (Write or Wrong http://www.dirkmanning.com/write-or-wrong/ ). It has A LOT of info. Some info I already knew. Some info I had no idea on. I am only going to post the info I knew about but I would highly recommend you buying his book. It will help you out tremendously.
The first thing I want to talk about is finding an artist. I always hear people ask about this. There are 2 places I recommend http://www.digitalwebbing.com/ this place has a decent forum, with sections for both paid and unpaid jobs. Then there is Connecting Comic Book Writers and Artist https://www.facebook.com/groups/5665592436/ both are good groups. One of the biggest things to let you know there are some people out there that have worked for Marvel that want $100+ per page. That’s if they are being nice. There are others who will charge more there are others who will charge less. Just remember you get what you pay for.
When you find someone you like don’t immediately say that’s the one. Talk to them and find out what they are like. Heck they might not like your style (Superheroes goth tentacle alien chick) what ever it is. They have to be interested in it also. Otherwise they will not complete the work they said they were going to do. LET ME TELL YOU THIS COMMUNICATION IS KEY. He should be able to tell you hey this might look better this way and you decide if you want to change it. As I said talk to the artist it will make things run a lot smoother.
This leads to the second thing I want to talk about, a contract! It’s best to have one. That way everything is laid out exactly what is going to be paid for what and when the comic is suppose to be done. For example my contracts I have the total price but I also have the price for ever 4 pages. That way I can pay him as we go. I can see the work he has done a lot easier. I would tell you to listen to this. http://writingforrookies.podcastpeople.com/posts/21591 It gave me some basic info about contracts when I was first starting out.
The third thing I want to talk to you about is printing. Kablam offers printing and digital delivery for you. http://ka-blam.com If you’re doing this to make money forget it. For colored issue its about 2.54 an issue from Kablam for 24 pages front to back. They will put you over at Indy Planet http://www.indyplanet.com/front/?product_brand=inkremental_studios for example my comics for no charge.
The last thing I want to talk about is writing itself. I have had people question me about how to write a script. I do it just like a story board. Let me show you an example.
Page 15 Box 1
Show White Knight back hood and Lotus Mandrake on her knees missing an arm Green blood coming out.
“YOU’RE FINISHED DEMON!” Knight says
“The TREE OF LIFE heals my wounds.”
Box 2 – 3 – 4 – 5
Show her arm grows out make it look like vines.
The last box has a fully healed arm.
Box 6
Lotus Stabs Knight through the chest. Show a very dark outline for the characters. Does not go through the cloak but can see it pushing on it.
Box 7
Siege does a flying charge with a pink fist next to her.
“NO!”
This scene is from Issue 2 of the Global Defense Force. As you can see talking with my artist some things got moved around because it came out better.
Any comments or question please ask away. If you would like to check out the Global Defense Force check out http://www.globaldefenseforce.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/GlobalDefenseForce I am working on Issue 3 right now.
Brian Hitsman
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