Tuesday 18 March 2014

Basic Tips For Science Fiction Comic Book Authors

By Jaclyn Hurley


If you are looking to write a science fiction comic book then it helps to know how to write both comic books and science fiction. You have to be aware of genre conventions while at the same time looking for a new and interesting angle for your potential readers. With the right approach it is possible to learn how to join the great science fiction comic book authors with your seminal work.

When people think of science fiction they tend to think of stories set in the future. However this does not necessarily have to be the case. Alternative history can take place in the past. For example you could write a story where the Roman Empire remained in place until the twentieth century or a story where a Communist ruler took over the Earth after World War 2. A subgenre in this is what is known as steampunk. The idea behind this style of story is that modern inventions are reimagined as Victorian steam based inventions. This particular style has become very popular and has been used in movies, anime and videogames, the most recent example being the videogame Bioshock Infinity.

Some people worry about this because they fear this will result in consciously or unconsciously copying ideas. This is why it is worth reading a wide variety of stories. This will then make it easier to get a story that is well constructed and borrows from a wide variety of influences.

There is also the issue of how much detail to include in a script. On a basic level you need to include any captions or speech bubbles. Remember to keep the text to a minimum. If you can tell the story with mainly images then this will work best. Any big speeches should be broken up as much as possible to keep the page engaging for the reader.

You also need to know about the genre itself. The genre encompasses a wide array of stories. 2001 A Space Odyssey is a slow and contemplative reflection on evolution and existence while District 9 is a mock documentary using alien invaders as a subtext for apartheid.

A crucial element of this genre is to ask questions and discuss possibilities. Ultimately there ought to be a question or idea at the centre of the story that people will find interesting. One of the easiest ways to do this is to do a spider diagram in order to generate these ideas.

As a writer you also need to generate ideas. You do not necessarily need to create a full issue on your first go. Often it is sensible to start with generating potential plot points. Over time you should then be able to develop plots and character arcs. Over time you should begin to be able to develop stories that will engage people.

There are numerous ways you can develop ideas for your science fiction comic book. It is worth looking online for tips from established authors as well as looking for sample scripts. This will make it easier for you to learn the process of writing as well as how to set it out properly and get your comic developed as efficiently as possible.




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