The 12 Commandments of Making Comics

Follow These, Lest Your Comic Wander the Desert Unfinished

Issue 204

I spend a lot of time thinking about creativity—where it comes from, how to cultivate it, and, maybe most importantly, how to actually finish the things we care about. Whether it’s comics, illustration, design, or storytelling, the creative process has its own challenges, patterns, and, occasionally, rules worth following.

This week, I’m diving into one of my biggest creative obsessions: making comics. Even if you’re not a cartoonist, I think you’ll find something useful here—whether it’s a new way to appreciate comics, a deeper understanding of why some work and some don’t, or even a principle that applies to your own creative pursuits.

Over the years, I’ve gathered a set of reminders, principles, and—dare I say—commandments that have helped me navigate the chaos of making comics. They’ve been a guiding beacon whenever I’ve felt lost, and I hope they can serve the same purpose for you.

All that said, lets get to the “commandments.”

THE 12 COMMANDMENTS of MAKING COMICS

1. FINISH THE COMIC
   Most comic artists don’t follow commandment number one and most comics don’t get finished.
   Following commandment one is way more important than two through twelve. You may not follow the other commandments, but do follow commandment one.

2. WORD BALLOONS ARE KING
   Since they have the highest contrast on the page, the eye will be instinctively attracted to them.
   For this reason, use them to enhance the flow of the page.

3. RESPECT THE Z
   There is an unspoken rule that comics are read back and forth horizontally first, then top to bottom vertically second.
   Do not push against this, but let this instinct guide your compositions.

4. CLARITY OVER COOL
   Do not sacrifice clear storytelling for cool designs or layouts.

5. USE WHATEVER TOOL WORKS
   Whether it’s digital or traditional, if it’s getting the job done and contributing to you keeping commandment number one, then keep using it.

6. KNOW THE ENDING BEFORE YOU START
   Whether it’s seeding the beginning with hints and set-ups, or it’s adjusting the mushy middle, figure out the ending first and it will make every part of your job a little bit easier.

7. PANELS CONTROL PACE
   Panels are the unit of time measurement in comics. Use that to your advantage.

8. SOUND EFFECTS ARE STORYTELLING
   Do not neglect the beauty, artistry, and style good sound effects bring to your comic.
   Use them to enhance your story, and flesh out the world your building even more.

9. EVERY SCENE NEEDS AN ESTABLISHING SHOT
   Neglecting the establishing shot robs your scenes of context and staging. Even worse, it confuses the reader.

10. COMICS AREN’T MOVIES
    Comics are their own unique artform, so lean into what can only be drawn on a page.
    Don’t just think of them as storyboards for movies.

11. THINK THEATER STAGE, NOT MOVIE SET
    Add just enough detail in your panels to get the point across. You do not need to flesh out every background with detail. The reader’s imagination can fill in all the gaps.

12. COLOR CONTROLS MOOD
    Don’t just slap any color on your comic pages. Think of it as one more storytelling tool.
    Use color as a visual cue for the mood of each scene, character development, and atmosphere.

Of course, I’m not big on unbreakable rules when it comes to creativity. Any of these commandments can and should be broken when it serves the story. If there’s one commandment that cannot be ignored, it’s this: Finish the comic.

Finish the comic because the act of completing it will teach you more than a thousand unfinished ideas ever could.

Finish the comic because every completed project builds momentum for the next one.

Finish the comic because it won’t exist unless you make it.

Finish the comic because it might just surprise you with how good it is.

Finish the comic because, in a world dominated by algorithm-driven mega IPs, something human and imperfect—like an indie comic—can create a genuine, unforgettable experience.

Finish the comic because someone out there needs this story in their life.

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COMICS CREATOR WORKSHOP

If you like these commandments and want to get a deeper understanding of each of them, I’m putting on a two-day comics workshop in a couple weeks that dives into all of this stuff and gives you a massive head start on making your next comic.

In this workshop you’ll:

• Discover the proven skills pro comic artists use daily

• Learn how to outline, layout, and draw your comic fast

• Create a personalized schedule to finish your comic

• Live Q and A session to ask any question about making comics

• Get an in depth review and notes on your comic from me (limited to 10 spots)

I ran this workshop last July and the feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. So many of the class had "those “ah-ha” moments that stick with your for a life time.

I really hope you’ll join me. Enrollment closes Feb 14. Tons more information here: LINK

(Also, if you’re really unsure if this is for you, let’s chat. Shoot me an email and we can set up a call or something.)

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STAYING IN THE LOOP:

• Selling some books from my collection: LINK

• 3PP Podcast: Why failing is essential (Live.Die.Repeat.)

• SVS Spring Semester Starts Soon! Livestream Q and A

• 🚨Jake’s Shop Clearance Sale🚨: Massive Discount on Stickers and Pins

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Here’s a few things that caught my eye this week:

1) Iain Thody is Just Going With His Guts

From the Illustrators Division

UK based concept artist Iain Thody is building out an alien world of zombies, robots, scavenger, and mutants. I am here for it. Thody has a graphic design background which is clearly evident in his kinetic and well laid out concept art. This all makes him perfectly suited for comics which is the love child of graphic design and illustration.

Most of these comics are still in the idea stage, and that hurts a little because I want to sink into the worlds and stories hiding just behind these fun explorations.

Much more here:

Artstation: LINK

Instagram: LINK

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2) Project : ARES

From the Office of Wheels

This retro-futuristic cafe racer by Real Motors is straight out of a cyberpunk dream. Project: Ares is an electric cafe racer with an Akira cycle vibe, that blends current technology trends with sci-fi aesthetics.

I dig it.

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3) Yusuke Murata’s Cancelled BTTF Manga

This would’ve been amazing, but alas, the Back to the Future manga adaptation was canceled due to undisclosed rights issues, despite being overseen by original producer Bob Gale.

Still, we can bask in these few images by manga artist Yusuke Murata that leaked out onto the internet.

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That's all for now. Thank you for reading this newsletter and hope you have a great weekend!

-Jake

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Weekend reading:

A French artist from over 100 years ago imagines the 2000s. So fun!

Rétrofutur - Quand le XIXe siècle invente le XXIe: LINK

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