Graphic Novel/Comic Book 101

Is it your dream to write a graphic novel or a comic book? Are you an artist who’d like to learn how to turn your characters and concept into a compelling story? Or maybe you have a visionary concept for a comic book or graphic novel that could turn into prestige streaming series or a blockbuster film? If so you’ll need something more valuable than an eight-figure budget: Commercial IP.

Agents, execs and producers love it and having your own is the surest way to hook these industry gatekeepers. Graphic novels and comic books are a great place to start and to help you do it is TV/Feature screenwriting veteran, Steven Peros. He did it with his graphic novel, Stoker & Wells, which is being developed as a TV series by Amasia, a company headed by former Marvel Studios president, Michael Helfant.

In this three-hour seminar, you’ll learn techniques for planning and creating your book while exploring the similarities and differences between writing for comics and Film/TV, compare sample graphic novel script pages and a feature script and explores ways of marketing your comic book or graphic novel via crowdfunding, the go-to distribution platform for former content Marvel and DC creators. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to develop, create and disseminate your work as well as strategies for selling it as a feature or series. Eisner Award not included.

If you’re a self-starter who’s looking for all the tools to hit the ground running or if you’re a newbie who wants to get an overview of what novel writing is all about, this is the class for you. Topics covered: structure, character, dialogue, working with artists, publishing, marketing and leveraging IP for features and TV projects.

Note: This is primarily a lecture class with some in-class exercises but not everyone will get to share their ideas or for feedback due to the seminar format.