Comics And Graphic Novel Script
A comics script is instructions to an artist and a letterer. It is read by collaborators, not the public, so clarity beats style. There is no single industry standard; the full-script format below is widely used and easy to adapt to an artist's preferences.
Methods
- Full script: the writer specifies every page, panel, caption, and balloon. Use it by default.
- Plot-first ("Marvel method"): the writer gives a page-by-page plot, the artist draws, and the writer scripts dialogue to the finished art. Only with an artist who wants it.
Length
- A single comic issue runs about 20-24 story pages; a graphic novel anywhere from about 60 to 200+ pages. Ask the artist or publisher for the target.
- A prose novel rarely fits one graphic novel whole. Budget pages per chapter before scripting, as with a screenplay scene list.
Page Plan
Save adaptations/comics/page-plan.md first:
---
type: page-plan
story: {story-id}
pages: 22
updated: YYYY-MM-DD
---
# Page Plan: {Title}, {Issue or Part}
| Page | Side | Source scene | What happens | Panels | Turn reveal |
|------|------|--------------|--------------|--------|-------------|
| 1 | right | chapter-01-scene-01 | Establish the harbor at night | 4 | - |
| 2 | left | chapter-01-scene-01 | Mara sees the second light | 5 | yes |Page 1 is usually a right-hand page, so even pages are left-hand pages. The reader sees a left page only after turning, so big reveals go on the left (even) page. A right-hand page ends on the question.
Script Format
Save as adaptations/comics/{issue-or-part}.md:
# {Title} #1: "{Issue title}"
## PAGE ONE (4 panels)
**Panel 1.** Wide establishing shot. The harbor wall at night, waves
breaking white. A lantern moves along the top of the wall: MARA, small in
frame.
CAPTION: Every night for eleven years.
**Panel 2.** Close on Mara's hand, gloved, gripping wet stone.
SFX: KSSHH
**Panel 3.** Medium. Mara reaches the top and stands, lantern raised.
MARA: Every single night.
**Panel 4.** Over Mara's shoulder, looking down at black water. Nothing
there. Yet.
## PAGE TWO (5 panels)
**Panel 1.** Same angle as page 1, panel 4. A second light glows on the
water, exactly where her lantern's reflection should be, but her lantern
is behind her.
MARA (small): No.Conventions:
- Page headings in words (PAGE ONE) with the panel count, so the artist can see the layout budget at a glance.
- One panel = one moment. A panel cannot show two actions in sequence.
- Describe what the artist must draw: shot, who, where, action, emotion, essential props. Leave composition to the artist unless it is plot.
- Balloon labels:
CAPTION,CHARACTER,CHARACTER (OFF)for off-panel,CHARACTER (WHISPER),CHARACTER (SMALL),CHARACTER (BURST)for a shout,CHARACTER (THOUGHT),SFX. Number balloons if a panel has several from one character. - Put the source scene id in an HTML comment under each page heading
(
<!-- source: chapter-01-scene-01 -->), so revisions trace back to the book without the artist seeing it in print.
Pacing
- About 4-6 panels per page is a common average. Fewer, bigger panels slow the pace and add weight; more panels speed it up or compress time.
- Splash pages (one panel, whole page) for the biggest moments only.
- Keep words down: roughly 25 words per balloon and around 200 words per page are common ceilings before art gets crowded. Cut prose interiority to what a caption can carry, or show it.
- Silent panels let the art work; the pause between panels (the gutter) is where the reader fills in action.
Checks
- Page count matches the target
- Every panel has one drawable moment
- Reveals fall on left-hand (even) pages
- Word counts per balloon and page within the artist's or letterer's limits
- Characters' look and props consistent with the character and artifact files