Creating Comics from Start to Finish: Top Pros Reveal the Complete Creative Process

You Can Work Professionally in Comics!Jump-start your comic book career! Creating Comics From Start to Finish tells you everything about how today’s mainstream comic books are produced and published. Top working professionals detail how comics are created from concept to completion.Dig deep into every step of the process including writing, editing, penciling, inking, coloring, lettering and even publishing. Working professionals talk candidly about breaking into (and staying in) this exciting industry. Interviews and advice from:Mike Marts – Editor - BatmanMark Waid – Writer - Kingdom Come, Flash, IrredeemableDarick Robertson – Penciler - Wolverine, The Boys, TransmetropolitanRodney Ramos – Inker - Green Lantern, PunisherBrian Haberlin – Colorist - Witchblade, SpawnChris Eliopoulos – Letterer - Pet Avengers, Spider-Man, X-MenJoe Quesada – Chief Creative Officer - Marvel ComicsStan Lee – Former President, Chairman - Marvel Comics Table of contents INTRODUCTION 6 CHAPTER 1 EDITING: The Eye of the Storm Not only are editors responsible for the creative wrangling of a comic book, but they also must be masters of project management. With MIKE MARTS CHAPTER 2 WRITING: The Idea, the Blank Page and How Comics Are Born Dive deep into how comics are written, from pitching ideas to getting them into print. With MARK WAID CHAPTER 3 PENCILLING: Sketching Worlds One Page at a Time The most coveted job in comics isn’t all glamour; it takes discipline to survive. With DARICK ROBERTSON CHAPTER 4 INKING: It’s More Than Just Tracing Inkers are jokingly misaligned as “tracers,” but they bring impact and nuance to pencilled art. With RODNEY RAMOS CHAPTER 5 LETTERING: Getting in the Last Word Most letterers are barely viewed as part of the creative process, but see one poorly lettered page and you’ll know just how important they really are. With CHRIS ELIOPOULOS CHAPTER 6 COLORING: A Multichromatic Look at Today’s Technology The modern-day colorist is not merely an artist. Staying on top of the latest techniques requires serious tech savvy. With BRIAN HABERLIN CHAPTER 7 OTHER ROADS IN: Alternate Jobs in Comics The path to a comics career can lead you to various departments and job opportunities. CHAPTER 8 THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID: One-on-One With Joe Quesada Marvel’s chief creative officer talks about making the decisions that make people want to buy comics. CHAPTER 9 THE MAN HIMSELF: A Candid Conversation With Stan Lee Listen closely to the legend who singlehandedly transformed the world of comics. CHAPTER 10 NOW, PUT THIS DOWN and Get to Work Professional do’s and don’ts, the truth about self-publishing, plus plenty more pointers for aspiring comic book creators. RESOURCES FOR CREATORS SELF-PUBLISHING BUDGET GUIDE ONLINE CONTENT GUIDE INDEX