How to Make a Mini Comic Book
Mini-comics are a fun and low-cost way to share your comic creations with others. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and, because they're handmade, every copy is a little different. Although often small, they are capable of conveying large emotions; the do-it-yourself nature of mini-comics lends itself to personal expression. If you are looking to experiment with comic making or simply have a story that you are eager to tell, consider making a mini-comic.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Plain paper Pencils Erasers Felt-tipped pen or brush pen Long stapler Copy machine Scissors (optional)
Instructions
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Write the story. Simple, personal stories work best in mini-comics; you can even divide the book into a collection of small stories, each a page or two in length.
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Plan the layout. Create a mock-up of your mini-comic; to create a simple mini-comic, fold several pieces of paper in half and combine to create a pamphlet. Flip through the pages, numbering each page as you go. Separate the papers; each paper will now have a fold down the middle with numbers on both halves of each side indicating which page number each half represents. Use these pages as a template for drawing your artwork.
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3
Draw the artwork. Use a pencil to sketch out the artwork on your mini-comic template, taking care to leave room for dialogue. Add dialogue and word bubbles where necessary.
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Ink the artwork. Use a felt-tipped marker or brush pen to trace over the sketched artwork, including dialogue and word bubbles; ignore any stray lines. Allow the ink to dry, then remove the underlying pencil marks with an eraser.
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Photocopy the pages. Make one copy to use as a proof; review the proof and make any editing changes where needed. Assemble the photocopied pages and use a long-reach stapler to bind the comic along the spine. Your mini-comic is now complete.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with using colored paper to evoke different emotional responses from the reader. Instead of drawing on both sides of the paper, use two pieces of paper and combine them into a double-sided copy; this will prevent image ghosting on your photocopies. Gather a group of friends together and hold a mini-comics jam session. Make individual comics or pass pages around to combine into a single work.
Avoid getting too ambitious with your first mini-comic. Aim for a length of 10 to 12 pages and plan your story accordingly.
