How to Create a Comic Book or a Graphic Novel Step 2: the storyboard
A story contains different parts that are divided into several sequences. The sequences contain several scenes which correspond to events or changes.
The sequencer
After creating the scenario, the writer will create a sequencer. The writer will divide the comic book into different parts. These will correspond to the pages (comic board) of the comic strip. A sequencer scene can occupy half a page to several pages.
Transposing the sequencer into boxes can be challenging, because not everything can be said. Some interpretation will be necessary when moving from one box to another. This work of interpretation is taken care of by the mind of the reader, this is called narrative continuity.
But the reader’s mind cannot do everything. The division must remain consistent so that the work of interpretation can be done easily. To make this division, you obviously have to have read the script and understand it (if the designer has not written the script).
For each board, the screenwriter describes the framing, the setting, but also the positioning of the characters, their action and their mentality; everything, box by box … The dialog bubbles are indicated, as are the framed explanatory texts. The cutting also determines the form and rhythm of the narration.
Transposing the sequencer into boxes can be challenging, because not everything can be said. Some interpretation will be necessary when moving from one box to another. This work of interpretation is taken care of by the mind of the reader, this is called narrative continuity.
But the reader’s mind cannot do everything. The division must remain consistent so that the work of interpretation can be done easily. To make this division, you obviously have to have read the script and understand it (if the designer has not written the script).
The Storyboard
This is an important step in the creation of comics as it allows you to have a global vision of the board. Writers and designers exchange their views, agree on what to modify and delete, but also check whether the whole story is understandable.
To help the designer, the storyboard can be completed with precise notes on what should be found on each box and each board, to control the narration and the dialogues. For example, it enables you to check the impact of a cliffhanger or an ellipse (moment that is not shown).
The storyboard is lightened in the sense that the drawings do not have to be really detailed. It is a draft of each board that allows the designer to throw down on paper all the mental images that come to him when reading the script. At this point, anything is still possible. The artist has a lot of freedom. But a draft is not a “rag” and need to be understandable.
