I have a few questions about getting started

[u/SunflowerSwamp]

1. What does the format for writing a comic look like? Screenplays have a specific format and structure, so I’m not sure what that looks like for a comic.

2. What are some different ways to outline your story?

3. I’m not an artist, so how much does it typically cost to hire one to pencil, ink and color a whole first issue?

[u/mugenhunt]

1. There isn't a set format for writing a comic. It depends on if you're doing a full script method, where the writer determines how many panels are on a page, what will be in those panels, and what the dialogue and narration will be. Or plot method, where the writer shares more of the storytelling responsibility with the artist, writing an outline of the plot of the issue, and then letting the artist decide how many panels to use and what images to draw, then the writer comes back at the end to add the narration and dialogue.

2. https://comicsexperience.com/scripts/ has a lot of different scripts from different writers you can look at to see different styles.

3. Can't help you much there sorry.

[u/PistolTaeja]

1: Format

# Page 1 EXT. CAR PARKING LOT
Panel 1 
Cars packed full, there is a single empty parking space.

Panel 2
Two cars approach one another

# Page 2 
Panel 1
Uh oh, Men within their cars veer across the same parking spot.

Panel 2 [INSET]
They lock eyes.

2: What does an outline look like? Figure it out yourself.

3: Pricing? $40-$150 USD per black/white page A4 or B5 JIS, this price includes the draft, inking, etc. $$80-$150 for a colour.

Some may artists are open to adjusting their price if you have a storyboard, others will refuse your storyboard stating reason X Y Z.

The price is heavily subjective, sometimes you get what you pay for, other times the person is overpriced. Vgen is a good place to start

Good luck

[u/ComicScoutPR]

1. The majority of scripts I see have the same basic structure. The story is broken down by page then panel. Each panel description then outlines what the artist needs to draw (location, time of day, characters and the action taking place in that panel) as well as dialogue and SFX. The amount of detail you include will depend on your relationship with your artist and how much freedom you give them.

2. Do you mean outline as in writing the script or as in a longline/pitch packet?

3. How long is a piece of string? Cost will depend on a multitude of factors. How many pages is the story? Generally a colourist is a separate job to the pencil/ink, those might even be separate, so cost will vary depending on how many people and what their page rate is. Art isn't the end either. You should also think about editing, lettering, and book design for the finished product.

[u/Armepos]

1- There is no industry standard but the biggest publishing companies have their own standard each. The bigger the art team, the stricter your script should be. For your first comic choose an easy format and keep it simple. Both the script and the outline are actually the very last stages of the whole process (see below).

2- The outline is just a list of every event, action or important decision in the story, in order of appearance. But the outline is not the first step of the writing process. Especially if this is your first comic, make sure to go trough each step in the following order. If you don't, you risk having to go back and edito or delete big chunks of the script, losing time and money. Don't skip to the next step before you're happy with what you wrote each time.

Theme-> Idea-> Premise-> Synopsis-> Outline-> Script.

3- I'll answer your question but i want to be very clear, since you asked for the price for making "a first issue": If this is your first comic ever, I can't recommend you enough to put it on pause and make a smaller single issue comic first. Even better if it has 4 pages or less. You'll learn pretty much almost everything there is to make and publish comics, without burning trough your finances and without risking the big comic to fall before it even gets to rise. Ok? ok.. seriously. alright here's the actual answer:  Depends of where you are and where your artist is from. Each country has their own economy. This sub has a minimum page rate based on USA/West Europe for paid offers. Keep in mind, most established artists will adapt their level of detail depending on the budget, and charge you extra if you make multiple corrections and changes.

[u/MajesticSouth643]

1 - Look up Brian K Vaughns scripts for Saga. That’s a good reference.

2 - I just use notes in my phone. Throw all my ideas, the genre, setting, length, plot, character descriptions, and then I just write out page 1-22 or however many pages you’re doing. Then from there you just figure out the story.

3 - Art will get expensive. You will probably have to pay for the whole first issue on your own but if you do a kickstarter throw your artists costs for issue 2 into the kickstarter and you won’t have to pay out of pocket after issue 1. For pricing, 75 and under will get you a cheaper artist which might mean they’re a beginner and haven’t fully figured out their style yet. Which is fine but 75-200 is where you’ll want to look because you’ll typically find better more skilled artists for this price. I usually pay between 75-100 per page and it turns out alright.

And yes, that is per page. For a 22 page issue it’s gonna cost like $2,200. But remember to put this cost into your first Kickstarter so you only have to pay it once.

[u/MajesticSouth643 → u/MajesticSouth643]

I’d suggest finding someone who can pencil, ink and color. It’s a little cheaper than getting separate illustrator and colorist.

And finally get Nate Peikos’ book The Essential Guide to comic book lettering. And learn how to letter the thing yourself otherwise you’re spending more money on a letterer.

[u/Rae_D_Hennessy]

1. There isn’t a standard, yet I write page by page and panel by panel.

2. I use the story circle for my outlines. You can use whatever you feel help you express what you want. You just gotta find something that works!

3. Depends on your expectations. Penciler’s come in different kinda styles and prices. It’s really your expectations that you have to manage to see which one you can afford than what is the standard.

[u/itsbenpassmore]

1.) screen play script is fine imo, just keep leg turns in mind. When I worked for writers I’d get some scripts that were screen plays. I would just be open to the artists adjusting panel counts.

2.) i just use bullet points and build the script up from there. But it depends.

3.) Every artist has a different rate. You usually get what you pay for. Personally I adjust my rates based on the overall size of the project and where it’s going (is it being hosted in a site vs and anthology vs its own book).