The Craft of a Comic Book Writer: Crafting Detailed Scripts for Dynamic Art

Writing a comic book is a multidimensional process that requires a blend of storytelling, descriptive prowess, and a deep understanding of visual media. As a seasoned comic book writer with over two decades of experience, I’ve seen it all—from the simplest dialogues to the most elaborate scripts that paint vivid scenes in the mind of the reader. In this article, I will delve into the intricacies of crafting a comic book script that effectively guides the artistic process without overburdening it.

Describing the Visuals: How a Comic Book Writer Integrates Art and Dialogue

One of the primary responsibilities of a comic book writer is to describe the visuals in detail. From the wides and medium shots to the subtle close-ups, each panel must be carefully crafted to convey the story to the artist. Whether you use just a few words or a lengthy description, the essence of the comic lies in the balance between the narrative and the visual elements.

Consider this example from one of my scripts:

Script Example:

PANEL 1:

/ WIDE / MARY DUKE WALK ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. It’s a newer institution so the architecture of the buildings is glass and steel—not brick or ivy. Mary and Duke are walking to their next class across the campus quad while talking. Students can be seen rushing to class, sitting on benches reading, under a tree, etc. Both Mary and Duke wear casual clothes and carry books.

MARY: Duke, I saw you looking at that new girl. You…think she’s pretty?

Duke: Who—Sheila. She’s okay; I guess. Just that she reminds me of someone I haven’t seen in a while.

MARY: Who?

This script provides enough detail for the artist to bring the scene to life, capturing the essence of the characters and their surroundings.

Breaking Down the Artwork: Panels and Pages

Comic book art is often broken down into individual panels. Each panel can range from one to ten, with an average of six panels per art page. An art page might differ from a script page due to the amount of detail written for each panel. Here’s a closer look at how these elements come together:

Example:

PANEL 1:

/ WIDE / MARY DUKE WALK ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. It’s a newer institution so the architecture of the buildings is glass and steel—not brick or ivy. Mary and Duke are walking to their next class across the campus quad while talking. Students can be seen rushing to class, sitting on benches reading, under a tree, etc. Both Mary and Duke wear casual clothes and carry books.

Staying True to the Artist's Vision

The key to effective comic book writing is maintaining a balance where the script provides enough information for the artist to work with, but also allows for creative freedom. Some writers prefer to be more specific, while others keep it minimalist—spanning a range from a few words to pages of detailed descriptions. For instance, DC’s Stargirl offers a more typical approach, as demonstrated in this excerpt:

Script Example: Stargirl

Page 6: Full Page

Booster Gold steps through a glowing portal in thin air. Skeets hovers.

Booster Gold: Come with me if you want to...

Whoa.

What happened here?

Stargirl: There’s a door. Why doesn’t anyone use it?

Booster Gold: More like a giant… two giant holes… No, Wait. There is a door. I see it now.

Blue Beetle: BOOSTER!

Hawkgirl: Oh. Great.

Page 7: Panel 1

Booster Gold stands with his hands on his hips surveying the damage.

Booster: As I was saying. Come with me if you…

Stargirl: …want to live. Yeah. Funny.

Page 7: Panel 2

Booster Gold points to Blue Beetle.

Booster: I love ya, brother. But whatever you did really nastied up the timestream. There are bits of you missing all up and down history.

Page 7: Panel 3

Stargirl: How much?

Booster: A lot. Bachelor party back in ‘93. Beach BBQ in ‘97. I’m gonna really miss that one if it disappears.

Blue Beetle: Yeah… that was fun.

Stargirl: Money.

How much are you paying for this job?

Page 8: Panel 1

Booster: Money, We’re heroes!

Stargirl: Until somebody pays up, he’s mine, and you can’t have him.

Booster: Okay… but… time… and… space...

You don’t care, do you?

Stargirl: No.

Blue Beetle: Does this mean I’m hired?

Page 8: Panel 2

Booster looks nervously out the window.

Booster: We’ve got about 15 minutes until time starts to… unravel… and… Haha… nobody wants that.

Resources and Tools for Comic Book Writers

To aid aspiring comic book writers in crafting their stories, I’ve created a comprehensive comics format guide. This guide is free and can be found on my website. You can use my name and the company name: Cartoon Balloons to find it. For a visual example, I’ve attached a screenshot from one of my scripts as an illustration.

Comics writing is a fascinating craft that blends storytelling, art, and imagination. Whether you're an experienced pro or a beginner, understanding the role of the writer in guiding the artistic process can greatly enhance the storytelling experience.