How to Format a Comic Book Script, Full Script Style

Formatting a script can be very daunting. The format for a play is very different from the format for a screenplay. Even worse, if you send a poorly formatted play or screenplay to a producer, they won't even read it. Fortunately for playwrights and screenwriters there are lots of books on the subject. There aren't so many books for comic book writers. On the other hand, there isn't a rigid format for comic book scripts either. There are a few different common formats for comic book scripts in the full style. This is just one of them

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Story
• Characters

1. Select your method of word processing. Some writers prefer to use screenwriting programs like Final Draft, but it's not necessary. Microsoft Word will do fine. There aren't any huge word processing demands on a comic book script. So use whichever program you are comfortable with.

2. If you plan to use this script to submit to editors you should put your name and contact information in the top right corner. This way they will know how to get a hold of you if they like it. They may lose any cover letters or additional materials that you give them, but they'll hang on to the script. You'll also want to add your name and contact information to the bottom right corner at the end of the script for safe measure. It will also remind them to contact you when they are done reading.

3. Insert title and writing credit. This should be centered on the page. The font size does not need to be increased.

4. Write the words "Page 1 Panel 1" in bold. This should be on a line all its own. This designates what page and panel you are describing. A standard comic magazine has 22 pages of story. If you are writing a one-shot or original graphic novel, the page count will be up to you. The amount of panels on a page will vary depending on what you put in them. Important visuals or excessive text can fill a lot of space. Large action sequences may also require larger panels that leave less room for additional panels. Talking head sequences may use less space and leave room for additional panels. Most modern comic books have an average of 5 panels per page. Use your judgment.

5. Put a double space between "Page 1 Panel 1" and your first paragraph. This is where you describe the image in the panel. Be as detailed as necessary. Let the artist know what's important to be seen in this panel. If you want a specific camera angle, make note of that. Remember that nothing in a comic book moves. Your character is not "punching", but his fist may be "placed squarely in the villains' jaw."

6. After another double space, start your dialogue for the panel. Type the character's name, then a colon, then dialogue. If there is more dialogue in the panel, add a double space, then do the same for the next character. If you want to break up a big chunk of dialogue with multiple balloons, treat each balloon like a new entry. For sound effects use "SFX" as your designation. If there is no dialogue in the panel, simply write "No Dialogue."

7. Move on to "Page 1 Panel 2" and repeat! And remember you have lots tricks in your bag to add excitement. You can add full page panels or even two page spreads. A two page spread should be designated thusly, "Page 12-13 Panel 1." Two page spreads should always begin on an even numbered page, because page 1 will be next to the inside cover. It might not make a difference in a single issue since you might have some advertisements to offset the pages, but if it were ever reprinted in a trade paperback it would be off.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider who your artist is and write like it is a letter to them. The artist is your true audience. If they don't understand your script, the art may suffer.
• Remember to note where the credits will go. This often happens on a full page image called the "Splash Page."

[shaxpir]

on 3/12/2009 Please fix your html. I'm seeing ampersands.