Perhaps you have a creative streak in you and have an interest in creating comics or graphic novels. You probably are wondering how you can accomplish this. Whether you are a aspiring comic book writer or an illustrator with your sights set on a graphic design college, this article will help give you some insight in how to get started in creating comics.

Writing

A common misconception about comic book writing is that it is an easy task, just having to write some basic words while the artist/illustrator does most of the work. This is not the case. A writer and illustrator have to work together and collaborate in creating the comic book. The writer must take on the task of plotting and scripting, much in the same way a screenwriter writes for a movie, taking account of the images when developing a storyline.

After the writer conceives the idea for their story, he or she plots and writes a comics script for illustration purposes. The artist (or team, as art chores are sometimes collaborated on by a dedicated penciller and inker) then illustrates the script. The writer, artist, or a dedicated letterer subsequently adds the narration and dialogue. The story must be fast paced and the image elements must be arranged so that they strike a good balance with the dialogue.

Illustration

Comic book illustration is not just a matter of creating characters and scenes. You must understand the pacing of the story and have a feel for distance and perspective in art. If just starting out doing illustrations, it is best to just start drawing characters, people, and scenes that you are familiar with. Once you get more advanced in your illustrating skills, you should attempt to draw characters in which emotions are portrayed on their faces, as this is an essential component to tell the story in the comic book. Also, you should be able to create realistic images of the scenery, such as nature or a city backdrop.

Once you have created some comics, you can put together a portfolio. This should contain multiple pages of the story with dialogue and pictures. Also you can include character and scenery designs. This shows prospective employers that you can be an effective comic book writer or artist.

A great way further your skills creating comic books is to obtain a college degree. There are many quality art colleges to help you achieve your comic book making dreams.

Sources:
Absolute Write 
Comicsetc.com
Writing-world.com

Announcement by DC via http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2012/02/09/announcing-smallville-season-11/

Smallville Fans Rejoice! New Comic Book Series, SMALLVILLE SEASON 11, to Pick Up Where Show Left Off
Fans of the smash-hit TV series Smallville haven’t had much to cheer about since the show ended its critically acclaimed 10-year run on The CW last May. That’s all going to change with the upcoming new comic book series from DC Entertainment: SMALLVILLE SEASON 11. Written by former Smallville show scribe Bryan Q. Miller, the new digital first series will be published digitally on April 13, 2012, with new digital chapters released weekly thereafter. Additionally, the online chapters will be offered in a print periodical, along with an episode guide to the hit television series, with the first print issue released on May 16.

The new comic book series picks-up where the show left off (with Clark officially now as Superman!) and features other fan-favorite characters including Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, Chloe Sullivan-Queen, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and General Lane. The book features an all-star creative team – in addition to Miller, SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 creators include print cover artist Gary Frank (SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN), digital cover artist Cat Staggs and interiors by Pere Perez (BATGIRL).

“Six months after Clark Kent donned the cape and took to the skies to save Earth from Apokolips… enter Season 11!” enthuses Miller. “New allies abound! New enemies afoot! And old friends return where they’re least expected! Pere and colorist Chris Beckett have done a fantastic job of capturing the look of the show and the players, and Gary and Cat are knocking it out of the park on covers. I couldn’t be more excited to help give seasoned viewers and new readers an all-access pass to Clark’s first year in the cape.”

The series is set for a digital release on April 13th 2012 and for the comic book version the first issue set to hit comic books stores on May 16th (almost exactly a year after the show finished).

How would the fan react? I am not sure, but if you ask me … I don’t like it. Seeing your fav super hero transforms from the pages of your comic book to TV and then to the big screen, is like a dream come through. But the other way around would seem awkward.

What about you? Anyway, I am not a Superman fan, so don’t blame me for not liking it.

Here’s the expected cover for the first issue.

The Dark Angel Saga has concluded, but I still have not finish reading the series. As you can see in the picture below Maybe I’ll finish it during the Chinese New Year holidays since I don’t have any plans.

Not that I don’t want to finish it, but when it comes to a mini series inside the comic book, I prefer to read them in 1 shot. It’s more satisfying. When you work all day, and read the comics at night … if I only read one issue and then after two to three weeks only the next issue, I am sure that I have forgotten what’s the previous issue all about.

You could always get Marvel Comics and DC Comics at the book store chains such as MPH bookstore, for example at One Utama, or Borders at The Curve. However, most of the comics there are compilations or omnibus. If you prefer the whole set, for example the Secret Invasion in one hard cover, then you could easily get that from MPH and Borders. Other than omnibus, you could also buy graphic novelsfrom these bookstores.

However, the bookstore chains does not sell the single issues.

So, where to buy comics in Malaysia, especially the monthly single issue one?

There used to be a few comics specialty shops around KL, but some have closed. At this moment, I am familiar with only two of them.

Earth 638
Earth 638 was previously located at Atria Shopping Center, I was updated that they have moved to Kelana Jaya @
No. 31J-2, Kelana Mall,
Jalan SS6/12, Kelana Jaya
Tel: 03-77296380. This is their old number, I am not sure whether they are still using this or not.
Email: earth638@streamyx.com

I have been to Atria once. Other than comics, Earth 638 also sell t-shirts and action figures. You could also get comics bag for your comics, but they only sell one type and no comic boards or boxes.

My favorite place for my comics is at
THE MIND SHOP

F33, 1st flr, Centre Point Bandar Utama
3 Lebuh Bandar Utama
Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel: 03-77298246

Just enter Centre Point Bandar Utama to you GPS and you are good to go.

At the Mind shop you could open a standing order account and place your order for your favorite titles. Currently I have the New Avengers, The Avengers and Uncanny X-Force on standing order. I pick up my comics once a month with 10% off the regular price and I don’t need to pay any deposit.

My comics are also place in bags with boards, so I don’t need to purchase it separately. Neat!

If you are looking for a comics specialty store in Malaysia, check out these two shops. Out of these two, I recommend the Mind Shop.

Other than Earth 368 and the Mind Shop, I just found out that Comics Corner still exist and they have a few branches in the Klang valley.

The Comics Corner
No. 36, Jalan SS15/4,
Subang Jaya
Tel : 03-5634 7945
Email: comiccor@gmail.com

There you go … 3 comics stores in Malaysia for you to get your monthly doses of Marvel and DC Comics.