By Jaclyn Hurley
If you are looking to write a science fiction comic book then it helps to know how to write both comic books and science fiction. You have to be aware of genre conventions while at the same time looking for a new and interesting angle for your potential readers. With the right approach it is possible to learn how to join the great science fiction comic book authors with your seminal work.
When people think of science fiction they tend to think of stories set in the future. However this does not necessarily have to be the case. Alternative history can take place in the past. For example you could write a story where the Roman Empire remained in place until the twentieth century or a story where a Communist ruler took over the Earth after World War 2. A subgenre in this is what is known as steampunk. The idea behind this style of story is that modern inventions are reimagined as Victorian steam based inventions. This particular style has become very popular and has been used in movies, anime and videogames, the most recent example being the videogame Bioshock Infinity.
When people think of science fiction they tend to think of stories set in the future. However this does not necessarily have to be the case. Alternative history can take place in the past. For example you could write a story where the Roman Empire remained in place until the twentieth century or a story where a Communist ruler took over the Earth after World War 2. A subgenre in this is what is known as steampunk. The idea behind this style of story is that modern inventions are reimagined as Victorian steam based inventions. This particular style has become very popular and has been used in movies, anime and videogames, the most recent example being the videogame Bioshock Infinity.
On a basic level it is about creating an idea. It may be about the effect of time travel or a journey to another planet. Often stories offer a reflection of our modern society. The best way to develop these ideas is to read a lot of stories, watch movies and TV shows in order to learn about how the stories work and help you consider what kind of twists you would add.
The other thing to think about is the structure of the story you are writing. You need to think about whether you want to produce an ongoing story or a graphic novel. People often get confused by these terms and think graphic novel is a politically correct term for a comic book. In fact a graphic novel is a closed narrative in graphic form whereas a comic book is an open narrative similar to a soap opera.
You also need to think about the artist. If you are drawing the story yourself you do not need to worry as much. However for an artist you need to take a balanced approach. If you do not provide enough description then you waste time by replying to inevitable emails asking for more information. However if the description is excessive then the artist can often feel like you are intruding on their role in the project.
This means reading stories, watching movies and TV shows. As you watch and read you should learn more about the conventions. You can then begin to think about ways you can subvert those conventions when it comes to writing your own stories. A great example was the Edgar Wright film Shaun of the Dead where a classic romantic comedy storyline was fused with the zombie subgenre.
With a comic book there is also the issue of space. Typically a single issue will be around 22 to 24 pages. On average each page tends to be around four to six panels. Therefore you need to be careful when it comes to the amount of information you put in a panel. If you are drawing the story yourself then you do not need to worry about the description. However if you are writing for someone else you need to include enough information to guide the artist with
The other thing to think about is the structure of the story you are writing. You need to think about whether you want to produce an ongoing story or a graphic novel. People often get confused by these terms and think graphic novel is a politically correct term for a comic book. In fact a graphic novel is a closed narrative in graphic form whereas a comic book is an open narrative similar to a soap opera.
You also need to think about the artist. If you are drawing the story yourself you do not need to worry as much. However for an artist you need to take a balanced approach. If you do not provide enough description then you waste time by replying to inevitable emails asking for more information. However if the description is excessive then the artist can often feel like you are intruding on their role in the project.
This means reading stories, watching movies and TV shows. As you watch and read you should learn more about the conventions. You can then begin to think about ways you can subvert those conventions when it comes to writing your own stories. A great example was the Edgar Wright film Shaun of the Dead where a classic romantic comedy storyline was fused with the zombie subgenre.
With a comic book there is also the issue of space. Typically a single issue will be around 22 to 24 pages. On average each page tends to be around four to six panels. Therefore you need to be careful when it comes to the amount of information you put in a panel. If you are drawing the story yourself then you do not need to worry about the description. However if you are writing for someone else you need to include enough information to guide the artist with
You also need to think about the artist. If you are drawing the story yourself you do not need to worry as much. However for an artist you need to take a balanced approach. If you do not provide enough description then you waste time by replying to inevitable emails asking for more information. However if the description is excessive then the artist can often feel like you are intruding on their role in the project.
This means reading stories, watching movies and TV shows. As you watch and read you should learn more about the conventions. You can then begin to think about ways you can subvert those conventions when it comes to writing your own stories. A great example was the Edgar Wright film Shaun of the Dead where a classic romantic comedy storyline was fused with the zombie subgenre.
With a comic book there is also the issue of space. Typically a single issue will be around 22 to 24 pages. On average each page tends to be around four to six panels. Therefore you need to be careful when it comes to the amount of information you put in a panel. If you are drawing the story yourself then you do not need to worry about the description. However if you are writing for someone else you need to include enough information to guide the artist without being excessively instructive.
In short if you want to write a science fiction comic book you need to be aware of the genre but also how stories are constructed. It is also worth looking online for scripts and sample templates as this will make it easier for you to write. With a sensible approach you will be able to develop your story and make it as interesting and engaging as possible.
About the Author:
This means reading stories, watching movies and TV shows. As you watch and read you should learn more about the conventions. You can then begin to think about ways you can subvert those conventions when it comes to writing your own stories. A great example was the Edgar Wright film Shaun of the Dead where a classic romantic comedy storyline was fused with the zombie subgenre.
With a comic book there is also the issue of space. Typically a single issue will be around 22 to 24 pages. On average each page tends to be around four to six panels. Therefore you need to be careful when it comes to the amount of information you put in a panel. If you are drawing the story yourself then you do not need to worry about the description. However if you are writing for someone else you need to include enough information to guide the artist without being excessively instructive.
In short if you want to write a science fiction comic book you need to be aware of the genre but also how stories are constructed. It is also worth looking online for scripts and sample templates as this will make it easier for you to write. With a sensible approach you will be able to develop your story and make it as interesting and engaging as possible.
About the Author:
You can visit www.hagbooks.com for more helpful information about Basic Tips For Science Fiction Comic Book Authors.