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How to format a comic script: Part 2 of 2

© Dave A. Law

The second major format of comic book scripts is the Plot or Marvel style. Stan Lee created this style in the 60’s, who was, at one point, writing eight monthly titles. Since then this has become the in-house Marvel style.

This format is not one you can use to submit a sample script to comic publishers, as virtually all publishers want to see samples in full script format. Similarly the only company I know of which may insist on using this style is Marvel, who currently is not accepting writing submissions. You would use this is a format once your project was accepted for publication and are beginning to script the story.

PAGE ONE:

The essence of this format is you are simply writing page breakdowns of the story. For each page, or multiple pages, such as two page spreads, you describe the action and situations you wish to see represented within the artwork on this page. While some or all of the dialogue could be written at this point, it is not necessary, as this tends to be done as a second step. No panel breakdowns are given or suggested. What and how you describe the plot is up to you. Some are written almost like short stories. Others are written more like the descriptions used in full scripts.

PAGE TWO:

The next step in this format is getting the pencils completed for the story. Once the pencils are done, photocopies of these pages are sent back to the writer, who then places all the dialogue and captions onto these copies for the letterer to in turn letter them. Some writers feel uncomfortable with this placement process feeling that this is more the job of the letterer and/or editor who are better suited to best determine where the word balloons should be placed. In which case, some sort of differing arrangement of how this process works may have to be made.

PAGE THREE:

The greatest strength in this format is that the artist has full control over how best to represent your story in illustrations. If this doesn’t set off alarm bells with you, then it should, as this is also the greatest weakness of this format. You may be expecting to see several panels of continuous action, only to receive back a splash page (one panel). It has been known to happen. This isn’t to say that this format cannot work, however, you have complete trust and have a truly symbiotic relationship with your artist(s), for it to succeed. This is not a style I recommend to any beginning writers.

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