How to Make Vertical Comic Strips

Comic strips are a popular newspaper section for kids and adults.

Comic strips are series of drawings that convey an anecdote or story, and sometimes contain commentary on politics, culture or human nature. The traditional format for comic strips is horizontal: individual blocks, progressively telling a story, are arranged side by side. This is an intuitive format for readers used to viewing text from left to right; most written languages are communicated horizontally. For this reason vertical comic strips attract attention for their format -- but many readers find vertical comic strips frustrating to read. The process for making vertical comic strips is nearly identical to that of horizontal comic strips.

Things You'll Need

• Computerized comic software (optional)

Instructions

1. Develop your comic idea. This includes creating a cast of characters, a plot or theme, and a general story line. You can do these things by sketching characters or jotting down narrative. It helps to have a clear idea of your target audience, as well as to know what jokes will appeal to them and what types of characters will be relatable.

2. Choose your vertical panel size. Most -- though not all -- horizontal comics feature square panels, all the same height, arranged in a row from right to left. When choosing a vertical format, however, you may choose square panels, arranged vertically, or you can take advantage of the adjusted formatting to add height to your comic by drawing your comic in tall rectangles. A semi-vertical format could include rectangular panels, arranged with two or three panels side-by-side, progressing down the page.

3. Draw vertical comic panels on your page or tablet. If you are drawing by hand, and you will be drawing a regular feature -- for example, you know each comic you will create will have four panels -- create numerous copies of the template.

4. Draw your comic strip, including characters, background, and action, moving narratively down the page. Once the comic strip is done, color it in, using a distinctive palette of colors to brand your comic.

Tips & Warnings

• Vertical comics can be ideal for Web comics, as they allow the punch line -- usually presented in the final panel of the comic -- to be hidden lower on the page, avoiding spoiling the joke. Vertical comics take up more room, both on a printed page and a Web page, because the area on the right and left is difficult to use up without distracting from your comic. If you are considering the switch to a vertical comic, draw or print two copies of your comic formatted in square panels. Then cut out the panels. Arrange them on your work surface vertically and horizontally and see which is more appealing.

References

• 2 Clicks Comics: How to Make a Comic Strip
• Oracle ThinkQuest: How to Make a Comic Strip
• 1FOE: Vertical
• WebComics: Horizontal, Vertical or Square