Writing for Comics
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Hey gang. The <I><A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 76-1049624" Target="New">DC Guide to Writing Comics</A> </I> has finally been published. I was thinking about ordering a copy. Can anyone suggest other resources for learning about the craft of writing for comics? I'm focusing more on long-form comics, but interested in any links / titles people care to suggest.
Thanks!
Tim
Thanks!
Tim
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Well, an oft-cited, never-updated, popular and useful online site is <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9925/"><I>Marc Fleury's Writing For Comics</I></A>.
Several good links can also be found at the <A HREF="http://www.cadvision.com/dega/main.html">Creating Comics Resource Page</A>.
There was an interesting physical resource I haven't yet had the opportunity to check out -- in an interview with <A HREF="http://www.bluelinepro.com/sketch.htm">Sketch</A>, Brian Michael Bendis cited a film, I believe called "Visions of Light," which was just a bunch of film industry pros talking about filmmaking; he said it was one of the best resources on comics writing he's ever seen (though it obviously wasn't intended for that purpose).
-Max Leibman
Several good links can also be found at the <A HREF="http://www.cadvision.com/dega/main.html">Creating Comics Resource Page</A>.
There was an interesting physical resource I haven't yet had the opportunity to check out -- in an interview with <A HREF="http://www.bluelinepro.com/sketch.htm">Sketch</A>, Brian Michael Bendis cited a film, I believe called "Visions of Light," which was just a bunch of film industry pros talking about filmmaking; he said it was one of the best resources on comics writing he's ever seen (though it obviously wasn't intended for that purpose).
-Max Leibman
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Some more thoughts on the book and a couple of other resources suggested here:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=pipeline&article=1029
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=pipeline&article=1029
Good morning! That's a nice tnetennba.
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I thought of a couple more:
First of all, your basic comics theory books:
I'm assuming you're read <A HREF="http://www.scottmccloud.com/">McCloud</A>'s <I>Understanding Comics</I>. If not, do so. Now.
Also, Will Eisner's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... <I>Graphic Storytelling</I></A> and <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... "><I>Comic & Sequential Art</I></A> are both excellent.
It's out of print, but if you can snag a copy of <I>Writers on Comics Scriptwriting</I>, it's well worth the time and expense you may spend hunting for it.
Also, <A HREF="http://www.avatarpress.com/">Avatar</A>'s <I>From the Desk of Warren Ellis</I> has some useful thoughts in a section of comics writing, some of which are mirrored in some of the essays in <A HREF="http://www.ait-planetlar.com/cia.htm">Come In Alone</A> (the specific ones on writing can be read online <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 7">here</A>, <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 7">here</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 5">here</A>, but I recommend picking up a copy of the book for your shelf, anyway).
Peace out,
Max Leibman
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Max Leibman on 2001-07-10 08:19 ]</font>
First of all, your basic comics theory books:
I'm assuming you're read <A HREF="http://www.scottmccloud.com/">McCloud</A>'s <I>Understanding Comics</I>. If not, do so. Now.
Also, Will Eisner's <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... <I>Graphic Storytelling</I></A> and <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... "><I>Comic & Sequential Art</I></A> are both excellent.
It's out of print, but if you can snag a copy of <I>Writers on Comics Scriptwriting</I>, it's well worth the time and expense you may spend hunting for it.
Also, <A HREF="http://www.avatarpress.com/">Avatar</A>'s <I>From the Desk of Warren Ellis</I> has some useful thoughts in a section of comics writing, some of which are mirrored in some of the essays in <A HREF="http://www.ait-planetlar.com/cia.htm">Come In Alone</A> (the specific ones on writing can be read online <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 7">here</A>, <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 7">here</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.comicbookresources.com/colum ... 5">here</A>, but I recommend picking up a copy of the book for your shelf, anyway).
Peace out,
Max Leibman
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Max Leibman on 2001-07-10 08:19 ]</font>
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I did buy the <B>DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics</B>. I breezed through it (actually read it) in one sitting. Nice general info, but, as others have observed, pretty shallow. I think their "out" was using the term "guide" in the title. Still, an attractive little book.
It's become clearer that beyond the basic script formatting, story structure and sub-plot management techniques, comic book writing is like all writing and you just have to do it to really get better.
(edited for layout)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Tim Mallos on 2001-07-11 09:26 ]</font>
It's become clearer that beyond the basic script formatting, story structure and sub-plot management techniques, comic book writing is like all writing and you just have to do it to really get better.
(edited for layout)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Tim Mallos on 2001-07-11 09:26 ]</font>
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Now that's a book I hadn't been aware of! The Amazon link is here, but they do list it as 'out of print':
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0891349111/qid=994962693/sr=1-1/ref=sc_b_1/107-2076885-2188521
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0891349111/qid=994962693/sr=1-1/ref=sc_b_1/107-2076885-2188521
Good morning! That's a nice tnetennba.
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Howdy!
Just an update: I have found the DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics (link in first message) to be more helpful than I first thought is would be. For what it's worth...
Second point, Scott, did you know they used a page from one of your Superman scripts to illustrate a writer using thumbnails in the page margins to communicate layout ideas to the artist?
That was a fun surprise during a closer use of the chapter on script formats.
Anyway, re-reading my review of the book, it sounds less positive than I feel about it as a resource. I find myself reviewing it frequently as I start an overly ambitious project.
Tim
Just an update: I have found the DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics (link in first message) to be more helpful than I first thought is would be. For what it's worth...
Second point, Scott, did you know they used a page from one of your Superman scripts to illustrate a writer using thumbnails in the page margins to communicate layout ideas to the artist?
That was a fun surprise during a closer use of the chapter on script formats.
Anyway, re-reading my review of the book, it sounds less positive than I feel about it as a resource. I find myself reviewing it frequently as I start an overly ambitious project.
Tim
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