How to Make a Comic Book (Project-Centered Course) from Coursera

What you’ll achieve:

In this project-centered course*, you will create an original four page minicomic designed around a short story of your choosing.

What you’ll need to get started:

This project-centered course is designed for all-age learners (high school age and above, at least 13 years of age) who are interested in learning how to make a comic book, but have never completed one before.

While comic books can be created with any kinds of materials, we recommend that learners have the following materials available to complete the project: at least one ream of 8.5x11 copy paper, #2 pencils and eraser, Sharpie-type fine point pens, ruler with inch measurements, and adjustable binding stapler. Learners should also have access to a printer and scanner (to facilitate digitizing work to be shared with peers on Coursera).

*About Project-Centered Courses:

Project-Centered Courses are designed to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of learners with similar goals providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you’ll master the course content more efficiently; you’ll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you’ll have a finished project that you’ll be proud to use and share.

What's inside

Syllabus

Part 1 - Course Overview & Finding Your Great Idea

For the first week we will get you everything you need to know before starting to create your comic book. Then we will focus on idea creation for your comic story.

Part 2: Writing Your Comic Script

In part 2 we will be looking specifically at how to script your comic for publication

Part 3: Thumbnails

Part 3 will have us constructing thumbnail (aka small sketches) to plot out the look of our final comic book.

Part 4: Penciling & Lettering

Part 4 will have us concentrate on producing the actual pages of art for our comic by penciling and lettering our pages.

Part 5: Inking

Part 5 will have us creating the inks (aka the dark lines that will appear when copied) for our comic.

Part 6: Putting Your Comic Together & Course Wrap-up

Get ready to hit the comic conventions with your finished comic book copies!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops core comic book art, storytelling, and lettering skills, which are needed for anyone hoping to make and publish their own comics

Offers a hands-on, project-based approach to learning about the art of comic book creation

Taught by instructors Christopher O'Keeffe and Patrick E. Yurick, who have extensive experience in the comic book industry

Builds a strong foundation in comic book creation for beginners

Covers all aspects of comic book creation, from brainstorming ideas to finishing the final product

Provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the comic book creation process

Reviews summary

Engaging overview of comic making

Learners say that this course is a well-paced introduction (Comics Creation 101) to making comics, offering a great overview of the entire process from brainstorming to execution for beginners. While the class requires time and effort, it provides engaging assignments that culminate in the creation of a short comic. The teacher is knowledgeable and passionate about comics and wants their students to succeed.

Strong intro to comic creation for those interested in writing and drawing comics.

"Consider this "Comics Creation 101"."

"It's a good intro for people who are interested in getting into making comics, even if only interested in writing or just drawing."

"This course is great for beginners!"

Classes are enjoyable, teacher is engaging, and resources are plentiful.

"I have to say this course can be a lot of fun when you commit the time to checking out the resources, and brainstorming ideas for a comic."

"The MOOC might feel like it starts out a little slow at first, but I really like it."

"The teacher is obviously passionate and wants the students to succeed and not give up."

Course requires effort to complete and may not be suitable for those with experience.

"Courses like this prove the merit of project-centered goals."

"This course is more of a crash course than a "hand hold" class, but it is very informative."

"I do not recommend taking it if you have experience designing comics"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Make a Comic Book (Project-Centered Course) with these activities:

Review the book 'Understanding Comics'

Show steps

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history, theory, and practice of comics, and will help you develop a stronger understanding of the medium.

Show steps

Create a comic book cover

Show steps

Developing a comic book cover strengthens your understanding of thumbnails and will help you design a captivating front page that will draw readers in.

Browse courses on Comic Books

Show steps

Brainstorm your comic book cover design
Sketch out several thumbnail designs
Choose a concept and draw the cover art
Ink your cover art

Watch tutorials on comic book lettering

Show steps

Following tutorials will help you learn the basics of comic book lettering and improve your skills.

Browse courses on Lettering

Show steps

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice drawing comic panels

Show steps

Regular practice drawing comic panels will help you improve your skills and develop a consistent style.

Browse courses on Drawing

Show steps

Choose a simple scene to draw
Break down the scene into panels
Draw the panels in sequence

Find a mentor who can provide feedback on your comic book

Show steps

A mentor can provide valuable feedback on your comic book and help you improve your skills.

Browse courses on Comic Books

Show steps

Create a short comic based on a personal experience

Show steps

Creating a comic based on a personal experience will help you develop your storytelling skills and connect with your readers on a deeper level.

Browse courses on Comic Books

Show steps

Choose a personal experience to tell
Develop a storyboard
Draw and ink your comic
Letter your comic

Enter your comic in a contest

Show steps

Entering your comic in a contest will give you feedback on your work and help you improve your skills.

Browse courses on Comic Books

Show steps

Career center

Learners who complete How to Make a Comic Book (Project-Centered Course) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Comic Book Artist

As a Comic Book Artist, you will sketch and ink pages for comic book stories based on plot descriptions and written scripts. This course can help you create a sample portfolio to showcase your artistic talent for drawing characters, backgrounds, and scenes for your future applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist

Comic Book Writer

As a Comic Book Writer, you will create the stories, dialogue, and character concepts for comic books, graphic novels, and other sequential art publications. This course can help you learn to write a captivating script for a comic book, which is a necessary skill for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Writer

Graphic designer

As a Graphic Designer, you will use visual communication to create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas for clients. This course can help you develop strong foundations in drawing and visual storytelling, which are transferable skills to a career as a Graphic Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Art Director

As an Art Director, you will provide leadership and guidance to creative teams working on visual projects such as films, television shows, commercials, or magazines. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Art Director overseeing comic book projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Animator

As an Animator, you will create moving images for films, television shows, video games, and other visual media. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Animator creating comic book adaptations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Creative Director

As a Creative Director, you will be responsible for the overall creative vision and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns, including developing and overseeing the work of creative teams. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as a Creative Director overseeing comic book projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Illustrator

As an Illustrator, you will create visual artwork for various purposes, including books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements, and websites. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Illustrator creating comic books.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Art teacher

As an Art Teacher, you will teach students about art and guide them in developing their artistic skills. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Art Teacher specializing in comic book creation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher

Cartoonist

As a Cartoonist, you will create humorous or satirical drawings, often for publication in newspapers or magazines. This course can help you develop your artistic skills and knowledge of visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as a Cartoonist creating comic strips.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cartoonist

Art historian

As an Art Historian, you will study and interpret art from past and present cultures. This course can help you develop your knowledge of the history of comic books and visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Art Historian specializing in comic book studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Art Curator

As an Art Curator, you will be responsible for planning and managing exhibitions of art in museums, galleries, or other public spaces. This course can help you develop your knowledge of visual storytelling and the history of comic books, which are transferable to a career as an Art Curator specializing in comic book exhibitions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Curator

Production Designer

As a Production Designer, you will be responsible for the look and feel of a film or television production, including sets, costumes, and props. This course can help you develop your knowledge of visual storytelling and design, which are transferable to a career as a Production Designer working on comic book adaptations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Production Designer

Museum Educator

As a Museum Educator, you will develop and implement educational programs for museums and other cultural institutions. This course can help you develop your knowledge of visual storytelling and the history of comic books, which are transferable to a career as a Museum Educator specializing in comic book exhibitions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Art Librarian

As an Art Librarian, you will be responsible for managing and providing access to collections of art-related materials in libraries, museums, and other institutions. This course can help you develop your knowledge of the history of comic books and visual storytelling, which are transferable to a career as an Art Librarian specializing in comic book collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Librarian

Comic Book Publisher

As a Comic Book Publisher, you will be responsible for the production and distribution of comic books. This course can help you develop your knowledge of the comic book industry and the process of creating and publishing comic books, which are transferable to a career as a Comic Book Publisher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Publisher