downthetubes.net

Richard Starkings, who persuaded Marvel UK to hire me in the first place way back when, offers some useful advice about breaking into comics in this interview, Like a Chained Elephant, plus comments on the advent of Computer Lettering and… Read More ›

Quote Me: To Write is to Take Chances, says J. Michael Straczynski

“To write is to take chances. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t, because the measure of success is in the eyes of the reader. And a subjective opinion is always right for that reader, always true for that person.”J. Michael… Read More ›

Never Stop Writing

Jeph Loeb was interviewd by the supermanhomepage in 2004, and offered this advice to writers when asked if he had any advice for breaking into the comic business, or into writing in general? ” Keep writing,” he advises. “Every day…. Read More ›

Quote Me: Word Counts in Comics by Alan Moore

By John Freeman on May 17, 2013 • ( 1 )

One thing that was drummed into my head (by more than one writer or editor) is that when you’re writing comics, let the pictures tell the story. You should never overwrite and be ruthless about dialogue — cut it, cut… Read More ›

How to Get into Comics by Gerry Alanguilan

Philippines artist and writer Gerry Alanguilan has a useful guide on getting into comics today on his web site: alanguilan.com/sanpablo/2006/01/how-to-get-into-comics-today.html Known elsewhere as Doroteo Gerardo N. Alanguilan Jr., Gerry is a Filipino comic book writer, artist and publisher. He’s an… Read More ›

Quote Me: On Going Freelance by Luc Belanger

“The first couple of years you don’t make enough to pay the bills. The next couple of years you barely make enough to cover the bills. And then a couple of years after that you make enough to pay the… Read More ›

British Comic Sales Figures Creating Comics articles moved

(LINKS UPDATED since first posting): As regular readers know the main downthetubes web site is currently down due to excessive data charges. I’m in the process of securing a new ISP and we’ve had a very kind offer from a… Read More ›

Creating Comics – Pitching at Conventions

What is the best way to pitch scripts at conventions? This short guide is based on discussions on the Comics 2000 Yahoo group. Special thanks to those who threw in ideas for this and gave permission for their comments to… Read More ›

Portfolio Advice: A View from the Editor’s Chair for Comics Artists

Here’s my guide on what a comics editor might like to see in your comic portfolio when you present it at a convention. You might also like to take a look at this guidance on what you should – and shouldn’t – include in… Read More ›

Quote Me: Portfolio Advice from Pete Ashton – Don’t be Nervous

“One thing I’ve noticed over the last couple of years is that the creators doing portfolio reviews at the 2000AD table [at the Bristol Comics festival] at least are very encouraging to new people probably because a lot of them… Read More ›

Quote Me: Pencils Provide when it comes to portfolios – Marcia Allass

“I’m not an editor, but based on friends’ experiences – I would try to have some pencils in your portfolio, just so you can show the quality of the art before and after inking – I know artists who have… Read More ›

Quote Me On Portfolio Presentation: Matt Brooker

Small in Beautiful “Back when I was breaking into comics, I always used to present my work in an A4 ringbinder, and never had any problems as a result – in fact, at a crowded portfolio session, A4 binders are… Read More ›

What’s in that Portfolio? Do’s and Don’ts For Comic Artists

Here’s some guidance on what you should – and shouldn’t – include in your art portfolio when you’re showing it around at comic conventions. You might also like to take a look at my Editor’s View on what we like to see… Read More ›

Robert McKee’s Ten Commandments

Robert McKee’s Story Structure Seminar is an intensive three-day course that concentrates on screen writing. Most of the course is very applicable to comics writing. The course is well worth the cost and comes recommended by many people I know… Read More ›

What Comic Editors look for in a submission: Submitting Artwork

Although my comic creating guide is in the main primarily aimed at writers rather than artists, be aware of these principles…1) Have you submitted strip work to the title of your choice, as well as illustrations? In general, when you… Read More ›

What Comic Editors Look for in a Submission: Writing

1) Before submitting your work, check for spelling and grammar. Also, revise and polish your submission. Is it a story you’d want to read featuring your chosen hero? Have you written a story using characters you’re familiar with? Could you… Read More ›

Quote Me on Writing Comics: Mike Collins

“On writing, I always put pen to lined paper first and always. The computer always comes last. “I find when I write straight into the machine it results in ridiculous levels of verbosity, but if it’s all written long hand… Read More ›

Quote Me on Writing Comics: Dave Gibbons

Dave Gibbons Artist on The Watchmen, writer and artist on The Originals “I got involved because I loved comics ever since I could read; in fact, they may have been the reason that I wanted to read! I started by… Read More ›

Writing Comics: First Points