Classes Every Comic Book Writer Should Take

Few schools offer a comic book writing major. Sadly, this means that you’re not really going to find an actual curriculum that’s really going to help prepare you for the rigors of comic book writing. Instead, what you’re going to have to do is take a basic English major writing major, and cobble together a lot of electives to get the education you need. So let’s look at those electives.

The Basics

So let’s start with a “Language & Literacy” major. That should give you all of the basic tools. However, it’s not going to help you develop the visual library that you’re going to need. As such, you’re probably going to want to take a class in graphic design so you layout; just the basics, so you can understand what the artist is doing.

Of course, if you have a really weird idea, and you’re not really sure about being able to find an artist later on, you might want to take on split major in art. This means that you do not need to find an illustrator when you get serious about your comic; you can just draw it yourself.

You’re also going to want debate film making classes. I know sounds sort of weird, but this is going back to developing a visual eye; film making will definitely help you with that as not only will you be able to learn how to compose frames but you’re also going to be able to learn a lot of neat little tricks such as the rule of 180. Also, acting classes will help you develop dialogue skills, something that pays off when you’re trying to develop different voices for your characters.

Also, if you can grab a scriptwriting class go for it. While comic book scripts are their own animal, knowing the basics of scriptwriting can only help, and you are going to have to learn the limitations of the script format that you’re going to have to learn. Obviously, when you start actually doing your own scripts for comics, you’re going to find that there are many different ways you can write a script. 

So while it’s not going to help too much with format, it is going to help you start thinking in terms of how scripts are put together, as well as the three-act structures, and that is well worth the money by itself.

The Non-Writing Stuff

You’re also going to want to look at some sort of legal class. You’re going to be dealing with copyright and trademark issues, and having some sort of framework can only help. Most introductory law classes cover just the basics, but that should be more than enough. If you can take some business law classes as well do so; it can only help to know the basic rules and regulations when it comes to starting a business as well as how to defend it if necessary.

You may also want to throw some marketing classes into the mix. Even if you signed on to a major studio, you’re still going to have to do a lot of your own marketing; you may as well as know what you’re doing. Also, some accounting classes may not be a bad idea; even if you have someone else do your taxes, it can only help if your income and outgoing funds are properly recorded.

It Looks Like A Lot, Right?

Now, admittedly that looks like a lot of education, especially when you realize that you have to take core classes on top of all this. However, understand that this allows you to not only write comics but also communicate with your artist or not have to worry about needing one. It also lets you understand how to protect your rights as well as negotiate contracts better, as well as track how well you’re doing. It also allows you to better market your comic, ensuring that your comic will be a success.

So while it may look like a lot, the time will be well spent. All of this helps you become a better writer, and that alone makes it a great investment of your time and money.