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What does it take to get in the comics industry?

Is there something more to being a successful graphic novelist than just artistic ability? Do I need connections, knowing the right people? #comics #graphic-novels

comics graphic-novels
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Christy’s Answer

Hi, Aurora. I've written comics and graphic novels for Marvel, DC, and others.


Let's begin with the various jobs that are involved in creating a graphic novel:

* writer

* penciller

* inker

* colorist

* letterer

* editor


You mentioned artistic ability. If you want to be involved on the art side either penciling or inking, you obviously need to have excellent drawing, illustrating, and visual storytelling skills. I highly recommend Scott McCloud's books on making comics.


There are some creators who write as well as draw their comics, such as Terry Moore and Stan Sakai. It depends on what career path you're thinking about. Do you want to make your own, small, indie books where you do everything? Do you want to work for a major publisher such as Marvel or DC?


The indie path would require more than art skills, unless you partnered with a writer. It would also require learning how to have your books printed, distributed, and how to market them. That is a LOT of work. The cost for doing all that comes out of your pocket. That's a tough way to go, but it also gives you the most control and ownership of your work.


If you're looking to work for a large publisher, you need strong art samples. You'll want to put together a high, quality, professional-looking portfolio. Next, you need access to editors or art directors or other people at the companies who can look at your portfolio, assess it, and possibly give you a chance. The competition is fierce, and your work will need to be outstanding.


Yes, you do need to network, make personal contacts, and get your work out in front of the right people. You'll want to come across as professional and dependable, able to meet deadlines.


Creating a webseries is one way to do that. If you can create and sustain a quality webseries, it shows what you can do.

Christy recommends the following next steps:

Do your research and learn everything you can about how the comics business works, who the publishers are, what they're publishing, and so on. Learn the market.
Build a top-quality portfolio. Keep working and working and working at improving your art. It isn't enough to have one-off illustrations. Your work should demonstrate that you understand how to lay out a comics page, how to visually tell a story, how to make a story flow across panels in a clear, but compelling way.
Attend whatever comic conventions you can. Put your work on display in the art gallery. If you can afford it, get a table to display and sell your work. Find out who is there from the publishers that might look at your portfolio and do your best to get an appointment to show your work.
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