Comic Script 001 - Chapter 1, Page 9 (Patreon)

Hey Comic Peeps :)

Here is the first script preview for how I write out each page of Black Key Incubus! 

So when I start writing each chapter, I usually start by providing Daryl some context of the setting. For Chapter 1, that's Red Cove, OR. As a writer, I do this first because it gives the artist some background into the particular scenes we'll be creating together. It's for all those unspoken bits and pieces that go into each panel, like what type of trees grow there? What do the beaches look like? How is the weather? It's those little details that make the landscape around the characters stand out.

Next, I list out pages by number in bold so I can keep my doc organized. I write each scene by how I envision them in each panel (or by how I think it would look on the comic page in art form). With these I typically separate any dialogue or internal monologue so they stand out in their own panels. Then, I draw out any non-speaking panels with intricate detail and descriptions so the artist can take creative liberties with the text I provide. I try not to include really specific descriptions or characterizations unless I know exactly how I want a scene to look and feel – this gives Daryl more room to stretch his creative wings and add his own art vision to the page. I use a divider at the bottom when I have my page-specific scenes written out.

If you're looking to start a comic of your own (or a written story) I highly recommend working with a partner. Whether you work with a family member or friend for free, hire a coach, work with an editor, or contract an artist, it helps you bounce ideas off another person so you can create something even more powerful together.

Here's the finished comic art for Page 9 as a reference:

That wraps up our first Script Snippet! Feel free to message me or comment on this post with any questions or feedback you have :) 

Thanks for reading!

-J

Black Key Incubus, Chapter 1 Script, Page 9 – © James Schleisman August 2018 All Rights Reserved

Black Key Incubus, Chapter 1 Comic Art, Page 9 – © James Schleisman February 2019 All Rights Reserved