Creator Confessions: The Technical Side Of Comic Creation

Creating a comic book can be daunting for aspiring rookies. It’s one thing to be a fan of comics, pick one up off the shelves, and start reading. It’s a whole other thing to try to craft one from scratch. There’s the writing, finding an artist to depict it, and then compiling all of those pages into a physical (or digital) product. If you’re on a shoestring budget and are attempting to do many of these stages yourself, there are a lot of technical elements that are involved, especially in the digital age.

For one thing, the many different file types, programs, and processes used to finalize the book and get it ready either for print or digital consumption. This might not be a big deal for those that are technologically savvy and familiar with such things, but it will definitely be a challenge for the novice.

Although I consider myself relatively proficient in technology, I used to be a rookie when it came to tools needed to create a comic book. Originally, I relied on designers to finalize everything and get it ready for me. But as I expanded and sought to save money, I learned to put books together myself. At first, I thought there was a very specific way to accomplish, this but as time went on, I learned there is no one right way to finish a book. File types. Programs. Delivery methods. A lot of these are preferential. Yes, there are tips and tricks in order to do things efficiently and produce great results. But they come with a learning curve that happens with experience. Overall, creators shouldn’t get so hung up on the how when it comes to the technical side of comic creation. The creative side so much more important.