Brand New Writer Looking For Tips/Advise And Collaborators

[DumbGenius]

I am a completely new writer attempting to create an entire new world for a 'fantasy' comic book. I've been researching and reading about world building (Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction: How To Create Out-Of-This-World Novels and Short Stories - Various Authors) and comic book creation (Making Comics - Scott McCloud). I have an idea for a comic book series and have been looking for feedback and advice. Now that I've finally a few different forums where I can share my ideas, find collaborators and maybe get a few tips from more established comic book creators, I feel that I'm ready to begin the process of actualizing these characters and stories.

Basically the world I have in mind is Greek mythology (Polytheism) with superhero fiction mixed into a fantasy setting. I'm somewhat unsure of sharing too many detials because I don't have any type of copyright on the intellectual property and would hate to have the idea stolen. Imagine a world where multiple gods exist and are worshiped throughout an entire nation. Of course, not all of the gods see eye to eye on the day to day dealings with their human devotees and are constantly at war with each other. The gods also have half human/half diety children that possess special abilities (mutants/metahumans in Marvel/DC universes). The nation itself is already at war for the throne amongst several kingdoms. The god of war gains power as chaos and destruction slowly the evelope the lives of all peoples. As mortal kings contend for the crown, others must rise and fight before the world falls into complete carnage giving the god of war complete control.

That is the foundation of the story I want to tell. However, I would like it to span throught different eras as the gods themselves are somewhat immortal and the war between good and evil is everlasting. I have character bios and have already begun a story arc. But I guess my question is: Does this sound/feel like a story that would make a good comic book series? I'm really thing of an entire world like Marvel/DC, telling different stories from the point of view of different characters all tied together in one universe. Any ideas, tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all that took the time to ready this, and thanks a lot in advance to whoever responds!!

[Eagle-NO-Earth]

Ok, first things first. Copyright. Under US copyright law anything that you put into a published form (including in a post on a forum) is copyrighted, automatically. You do not have to mark it, you do not have to submit it, you do not have to pay a fee. Copyright simply is.

Second. Ideas. They are a dime a dozen. There are no original ideas, only new takes on old ideas. The idea you are using there has already been used before. The Iliad is the same idea, down to the super powers. What's important is not the idea, but the execution. No one can 'steal' your idea. If they take a paragraph that you've written and use that idea, the most they are going to do is come out with something that has some similarity to your own work. Big deal. Tombstone and Wyatt Earp came out within months of each other. Armageddon and Deep Impact, same thing. Swamp Thing and Man-Thing, within 6 months of each other, and their creators were living in the same house. For that matter, Deadpool is a direct copy of Deathstroke, who in turn was a copy of Taskmaster. There are no original ideas, only original executions.

Finally, your concept has some merit, but you might want to check around a bit, I am pretty sure that there are several "ancient gods interfering in the modern world".

This is one of those things that we won't be able to tell much about it till you get an actual story laid out instead of the broad strokes.

Eagle
(Hope that helps)

[DumbGenius]

Ok, first things first. Copyright. Under US copyright law anything that you put into a published form (including in a post on a forum) is copyrighted, automatically. You do not have to mark it, you do not have to submit it, you do not have to pay a fee. Copyright simply is.

Second. Ideas. They are a dime a dozen. There are no original ideas, only new takes on old ideas. The idea you are using there has already been used before. The Iliad is the same idea, down to the super powers. What's important is not the idea, but the execution. No one can 'steal' your idea. If they take a paragraph that you've written and use that idea, the most they are going to do is come out with something that has some similarity to your own work. Big deal. Tombstone and Wyatt Earp came out within months of each other. Armageddon and Deep Impact, same thing. Swamp Thing and Man-Thing, within 6 months of each other, and their creators were living in the same house. For that matter, Deadpool is a direct copy of Deathstroke, who in turn was a copy of Taskmaster. There are no original ideas, only original executions.

Finally, your concept has some merit, but you might want to check around a bit, I am pretty sure that there are several "ancient gods interfering in the modern world".

This is one of those things that we won't be able to tell much about it till you get an actual story laid out instead of the broad strokes.

Eagle
(Hope that helps)

I appreciate your feedback. As far as the idea, I know its not original, just like you said there are pretty much no original ideas. Mine is pretty much a play on Greek mythology. And I see your point, right now it's more about the final product than this foundation as it has been done before somewhere, somehow. I will use this and just keep moving forward.

[Eagle-NO-Earth]

Hey, a Texan! It's a wonderful idea! Honest!

Seriously, that's the right attitude you have there.

Eagle
(Welcome to ZWOL)

[DumbGenius]

I'm just trying to learn and get advise from more experienced creators. I haven't even written my first script yet. I need to flesh out the story and characters and maybe one day people will be enjoying what I come up with.

[Ruyei]

There are so many factors about comic creation and I agree with Eagle that, hey, you DEFINITELY have nothing to fear with putting your idea entirely out there. But I think I have a pretty good idea of what you want to accomplish, only because I think it's a great framework. It essentially has the feel of taking the superhero/metahuman genre into a different era, and although Neil Gaiman has done that with his 1600 something series I think it's neat to give the usual pool of heroes new backgrounds, ethics, and motivations. Everyone knows greek/roman mythology but so few use it to create something new other than to retell old tales or build upon them. So definitely go for it.

But you're new, here's what I recommend. Make a test script. I'd say 8-12 pages (as in the pages that will be drawn) is a good number, and then find an artist to draw it. You're new, you are probably incapable of doing pro work at this point and need practice. A big part of the practice you'll need is simply working in the visual realm and collaboration, which frankly was the hardest part for me starting out. So do some short pieces (since artists who are looking for something to practice on or for fun will want that number or less) and go for it. If you can, definitely pay an artist. It makes the difference from a work taking a year to get done (literally, this has happened to me) to simply a month or two (and yes I am calculating for 8-12 pages).

Best,
Robert Finch/Ruyei

[DumbGenius]

There are so many factors about comic creation and I agree with Eagle that, hey, you DEFINITELY have nothing to fear with putting your idea entirely out there. But I think I have a pretty good idea of what you want to accomplish, only because I think it's a great framework. It essentially has the feel of taking the superhero/metahuman genre into a different era, and although Neil Gaiman has done that with his 1600 something series I think it's neat to give the usual pool of heroes new backgrounds, ethics, and motivations. Everyone knows greek/roman mythology but so few use it to create something new other than to retell old tales or build upon them. So definitely go for it.

But you're new, here's what I recommend. Make a test script. I'd say 8-12 pages (as in the pages that will be drawn) is a good number, and then find an artist to draw it. You're new, you are probably incapable of doing pro work at this point and need practice. A big part of the practice you'll need is simply working in the visual realm and collaboration, which frankly was the hardest part for me starting out. So do some short pieces (since artists who are looking for something to practice on or for fun will want that number or less) and go for it. If you can, definitely pay an artist. It makes the difference from a work taking a year to get done (literally, this has happened to me) to simply a month or two (and yes I am calculating for 8-12 pages).

Best,
Robert Finch/Ruyei

Thanks for the advise. I'm trying to find a good format to write the script, I've never had to write any type of script for any form media. Any advise on where I can find samples or a "how-to". I've googled but haven't found a good sample, most people just say there isn't an industry standard.

I was thinking, since I can't draw, of drawing out a few pages with stick figures and such just to be able to write the script for an artist to draw out.

Thanks again!

[Marta]

Thanks for the advise. I'm trying to find a good format to write the script, I've never had to write any type of script for any form media. Any advise on where I can find samples or a "how-to". I've googled but haven't found a good sample, most people just say there isn't an industry standard.

There's not really a standard script format for comics. But lots of comics writers have published their scripts, sometimes in a book consisting of various scripts, sometimes as part of a finished work. As a starting point, try the Comic Book Script Archive: http://www.comicbookscriptarchive.com/a ... e-scripts/