Comic Book Script Archive and Formatting

Comic Book Script Archive

One of the great things about writing comics is that there's no set format for writing a script. Unlike screenwriting, where there are lots of set rules that have to be applied to formatting. I've been playing around with my own template for writing comic book scripts in word, and I've been getting inspiration from The Comic Book Script Archive, which is a part of Andy Schmidt's Comics Experience.

What I like about the archive is that has lots of scripts from some of comics' greatest writers, as well as a template from Comics Experience for newcomers to use for their own scripts. While picking the same scripting style as another writing won't make you a better writer yourself, sometimes it just helps to see how some writers tackle different panel descriptions and how they communicate to the artist.

Some of the writers that are featured are Warren Ellis, Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Neil Gaiman, Mark Waid, and Brian K. Vaughan.

I actually used the Comics Experience template as a jumping off point for my own script format, which is pictured below.

Kenny Porter's Current Script Template

If you want more information on how to format scripts or create your own template I'd suggest reading Make Comics Like the Pros by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente. They lay out how to create your own template in a very simple, concise way.

Bluster #1 - Project Update

Bluster Update

Andy Budnick and I are working hard to get the first issue of Bluster done and ready for digital release. While we do plan on doing some pitching with the story, the main goal is to put all four issues online for consumption on our own. After talking about the project we’ve decided we want complete creative control and would rather get the comic out there for people to read than wait for someone to pick it up.

Before we release the first issue we want to have a minimum of two issues in the can. That’s just because we don’t want any delays and want to make sure that, once the first issue comes out, we’ll be able to release one each month until it’s finished.

We’ve discussed a release schedule, and I’d expect a first issue somewhere in September or October based on my writing speed and Andy’s ability to crank out incredible pages. After the four issues are released we plan on doing a collected print version, which will more than likely be achieved through a Kickstarter.

Thank you to everyone for supporting the project so far! We’re excited to get it out there and into the world ASAP!