How do you make a webcomic?

Answer 1

Firstly, you'd be well advised to have at think about what you want your comic to be about - themes, characters, format, etc. Reading other webcomics is obviously helpful, particularly in making you realise it if your initial concept is completely hackneyed and over-done (as too many are). Next, start making the actual strips, and get them into digital format (either scan them in or make them on a computer directly). You then have the option to either get your own web host or use a free webcomic hosting provider like ComicFury, Drunk Duck, Comic Genesis or Smack Jeeves, all of which have step-by-step instructions on how to get your comic online.

For further info, I recommend having a look at the making-of pages that many popular webcomics have on their sites, browsing the web for comic-making tutorials, contacting amateur webcartoonists for advice or listening to podcasts on the subject (e.g. Webcomics Weekly). Good luck!

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There are a lot of things to consider when putting together a webcomic, depending on the style you intend to do. I break webcomics down into three basic categories.

You have 'strips' which consist of a width-wise strip of maybe four panels that tell a joke, or a fragment of conversation.

You have 'Graphic Novel' webcomics which are (usually) more complex than the other two and feature a full length page with varying cuts, these kinds usually tell a bigger, more involved story.

And then you have your single panel 'joke and punchline' in an image. These aren't as popular.

The first thing you want to decide is which you want to do. The graphic novel style comic tends to be a little more involved, so I'll describe my process for that one, and remember. You don't have to be a brilliant writer, or a top notch artist, you just have to adhere to a few rules.

- Always have a bigger conflict - the main plot.

- Sub plots are your friend.

You may have a few vague ideas for your main plot, and sub plots help to keep the storyline fresh and fun. Just don't take them too far off the beaten path, remember to keep them tied into the main storyline, and be careful you don't create any plotholes in the process.

First, you need a story. I start by asking myself a simple question,

"What would I read?" Because webcomics are selfish things, they're generally created for the enjoyment of the artist/writer, and like-minded people simply join in.

Once I decide the genre, I open a Word document and start asking myself questions, yes, myself, about the type of story I want to get across. I try to take an outside perspective at this point and function like an interviewer, or prospecting publisher that wants to know more about the story itself. I also answer every question I write down. So, say you've chosen a medieval/fantasy theme.

I would ask myself things like,

Is this a comedy?

Is it a drama?

How many characters will I focus on? Etc.

When you get those basics out of the way, then you ask questions about the story itself. About the setting, the era, the people, the bigger confilict, the environments, the local flora, fauna-- don't be afraid to get to the nitty gritty, I find the small details really pull comics together.

So, once you have your bigger conflict figured out, then it's down to fleshing out the hero/heroine/POV (Point of view) characters and the first real block of content. Write out the character's details and when you have them fleshed out, you can move on.

Now, you have your story, you have your characters.

There are a few tips for the more technical aspect I wish to impart. I do an entire issue, completely drawn out and finalized, before I ever start posting, I do this, because it gives me time to really think on the next issue. If this is your first comic,

- Have the entire first issue complete before you find a host. (My issues tend to be 12 pages.)

- Always have a 4-5 page cushion, so you aren't scrambling to get 'today's comic up.

- Find a style that suits you, and is not a chore to constantly reproduce.

That said, you can move on to fleshing out your issue. So, you have a bigger conflict, now it's down to introducing your main character into the storyline. Come up with another basic idea, how will they attach themselves to the bigger conflict? Then do a brief summary of the issue. Treat it like a movie. You need the beginning, the build up, the climax (and if you want, this is where you can end off, for that dreaded cliffhanger) and an end. When I have the basic summary, I essentially take that information and start elaborating on points of interest within it, then I evenly distribute the content between pages with mini summaries. Once it's distributed among the pages, I go through and start writing out angles for my panels, and simultaneously, the dialogue.

Lather, rinse, repeat, for each page.

What you choose to do once you have the basics figured out is up to you. It can be hand sketched, it can be digital, with or without color, but a few tips in closing are:

- If you're not comfortable with drawing the panels as you go, design yourself a premade page and panel template (you may even be able to find these online) and print it out, draw your panels in, and then scan them again to finalize.

- Leave out speech bubbles and dialogue on the initial sketches, you can add it later through a much cleaner method via paint programs.

- Play with styles, until you find your niche.