How to Break Into Comics AND Succeed At It

Brick-and-mortar bookstores and publishers with large budgets have long shaped the comic book industry. For decades, profitability was the ultimate factor in these business’ decisions. Indie creators were stuck mainly in the back corners of local bookstores, even if they were clearly talented and could tell a great story.

It’s easier for comics artists and writers to meet each other now, thanks to the internet, and new concepts and subgenres emerge all the time. Breaking into comics still requires skill and hard work, just like any creative industry. Follow these steps to bring your work to life and make money off it without wasting your time and effort.

Practice Your Craft

Even small, quick sketches of ideas for scenes and characters can pay off later. The fine motor skills and muscle memory required for drawing takes years to refine, and there’s no better time to start than now.

Writing comics may seem easy, but it’s challenging to develop meaningful dialogue and the proper balance of text and art. When you have an idea for a story, take the time to write out a scene or two from it, even if you’re not committing to the story yet. This gives you a chance to hone your ideas or could provide the base for a similar scene in a different work later.

You may not see the fruits of your labor right away, but when you look back over a year’s worth of practice, the difference will be dramatic. The most beloved creators in the world all took decades to master their craft, and your journey will be no different.

Take Art or Writing Classes

Practice is essential to improvement, but if you don’t have formal art or scriptwriting education, your progress may plateau. Take a few classes in figure drawing, digital art, plot and conflict, or other essentials. You may find that your local community college has some exciting courses that you would never have thought to take otherwise.

Online classes are also a good option, especially if you want to dig deeper into a niche topic. However, make sure to sign up for a class where the instructor gives you meaningful feedback on your work. Look at the user reviews for a class and see if others genuinely learned from it.

Build a Portfolio

Whether you plan on working with comics industry veterans or prefer to self-publish, having a portfolio of your work is immensely helpful. Not only is it useful for professionals who want to learn more about you, but it can also help you network with other up-and-coming creators you can collaborate with.

You don’t necessarily need a full-fledged professional website to post your work on. However, it helps to have a central location for posting color art, character design work, or existing projects you’ve collaborated on. This is also helpful for fans who want to buy more of your work once they’ve fallen in love with one of your stories.

Get Disciplined

Your art and writing quality aren’t the only things that will make you successful. You need to work at a fast pace, communicate with your co-creators, and deliver work within the required specifications.

Even if you’re working a day job, try to set aside specific times for planning, practicing, and working on an actual project. It may feel tedious at first, but as you get used to the routine, you’ll get a feel for your work capacity and a sustainable pace for yourself.

Plus, this is your chance to prove your work ethic to others. Set deadlines, announce them to fans or collaborators, and stick to them. People will be more likely to work with you if you can prove that you’re dependable.

Self-Publish Your Work

With the rise of social media, contracts with mainstream comics publishers aren’t as necessary as they used to be. Marvel and DC Comics still specialize in action and superhero comics, but readers are increasingly open to dramas, memoirs, and adventure stories across a vast range of sub-genres.

Self-publishing your work is a great way to prove your ability to create stories that will actually sell. However, self-publishing isn’t just a gateway to a contract with a mainstream publisher: it can be your only method of publishing, especially if you publish niche works and can build a dedicated fan base.

Professionally printed copies of your comics are the best way to get noticed. Although there has been an increase in webcomics’ popularity, many readers prefer to take a collectible they can hold on to and enjoy while taking a break from their screens.

Market Yourself

Social media is a great way to spread the word about your work and gather orders for printed volumes. Try to form genuine connections with readers and support other artists as well, keeping in mind that your online image will impact how much readers support you.

Also, go to comics conventions and other events that allow independent artists. You don’t need to go to Comic-Con or another major venue to get noticed. In fact, you may be more successful targeting niche sci-fi or fantasy conventions, depending on the genre you’re publishing in.

Make yourself visible with a retractable banner stand and other bright visuals. Readers are much more likely to stop at your table if they see something relevant to their interests right away.

The Journey Ahead

Comics and graphic novels require a lot of work, but the journey is well worth it if you have a story you’re passionate about. Whether you’re publishing a short story or planning an epic fantasy series, Comix Well Spring is your one-stop shop for comics printing.

Our team of professionals has vast experience in printing full-color and black and white comics, so you can get the consistent and accurate results you need every time. We also offer rush shipping and production options, so you can always get a fresh batch of books whenever you need it.