Location and Characters
The writer weaves the story, locations, characters, and dialog in a comic book for the penciller and subsequent artists to draw and bring to life. Check out a list of resources for the comic book writer. Some are free and some cost money, but all should help the comic book writer to grow in their craft. Writer's are also good readers so do some research, then get writing!
1. Alan Moore's Writing For Comics
There is this guy, Alan Moore, have you heard of him? Yeah right, if you have been into comics for any length of time, than there is little chance you haven't. Alan Moore is revered by many as being one of the greatest comic book writers of our time with comics like Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the ABC line of comics, From Hell, V For Vendetta, and Lost Girls. This book is a collection of essays by Alan Moore and covers the topics of writing for comic books. There is surely something one can glean from this book, if not incorporate wholeheartedly.
2. The Comic Book Writer's Guide to Information on the Internet
This is a collection of reference resources for the comic book writer. The list there is rather expansive and should meet most of your needs for reference material. There are links to information on weapons, science, law, the police, drug information, as well as help with writing. This should be bookmarked and used to cut down the time to finding information to move your stories along and have them to be factually accurate.
3. Write Now! - Two Morrows Publishing
Two Morrows Publishing has some great material for comic book creators. Their magazine, "Write Now!" is a great resource that has interviews with comic book writers, essays on the craft of writing, roundtables on great comics, and more. This is an excellent resource that will surely give you some insight into the world of comic book writing.
4. DC's Guide To Writing Comics By Dennis O'Neil
Dennis O'Neil is the writer of such comics as Batman, Green Lantern, and others. He wrote a book entitled, "DC's Guide To Writing Comics." The title alone should tell you what DC thinks of this guy. A veteran of the comic book writing industry, and considered by many to have influenced the likes of Frank Miller, this book is a good bet to check out and learn from.
5. PANEL ONE: Comics Scripts by Top Writers
Comic book scripts are a great way for writers to learn from the people who have already had success in comic book writing. This book has tons of great scripts from the likes of Neil Gaiman, Greg Rucka, Marv Wolfman, Kurt Busiek, and others. There is also a second book in the series entitled, "Panel Two: More Comics Book Scripts by Top Writers" that has scripts by Gail Simone, Peter David, Scott McCloud, Sara Ryan, and others as well.
6. Komikwerks Column - Comics Writing By Steve Jones
This is a column that is part of the Komikwerks site, written by webcomics and novel writer Steven Jones. He actually has a lot of comic book writing credits, with comic adaptions of H.P. Lovecraft's material, Reanimator, Dracula, and Alien Nation material. These kinds of columns are great in that they are geared to a specific topic, "comics writing," and will generally have at least a few nuggets of good solid items that can help you in your writing.
7. Dwayne McDuffie Comic Book Script Links
Dwayne McDuffie is a veteran comic book writer, having created the popular Static Shock character, and the Damage Control Marvel series. He has written many high profile books and characters such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and many others. This is a great list to samples of his scripts in both basic plot and full script form. What I think is even more valuable is his links to some of the pitches he has made to publishers. You'll find the formentioned Damage Control pitch, as well as his pitch for X-O Manowar, and a Deathlok series. He also has pitches that didn't make it anywhere or that sold but never saw print. An excellent resource from a guy who obviously knows a thing or two about writing comic books.
8. Writing For Comic Books By Joe Edkin
Joe Edkin is the writer of Archie Comics Sonic X, amongst other things. His site has some great essays on the basics of writing, plot, form, and other important aspects of comic book writing. He also has some sample scripts to get an idea of how he works.
9. Idea Tracker 2
Idea Tracker 2 is a software package that allows creators to enter in their ideas into a database for future reference. Do you ever get a great idea, only to forget it later? The concept behind Idea Tracker is that it will allow you to never forget that concept or idea that could become a paying gig at a later date. The nice thing about the program is that it has a 30 day trial period so you can test drive it before you decide to purchase it.
