Script Writing for Comics: Explore Visual Storytelling
A course by Fred Van LenteWriter
A course by Fred Van Lente, Writer
Learn to create professional scripts for comic books and graphic novels featuring scene descriptions, characters, and dialogue
“Comics are a medium of infinite possibilities.”
Exploring those creative possibilities is what has led best-selling writer Fred Van Lente to work for brands like Marvel on titles including The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man Legacy, and Wolverine: First Class.
In this online course, he teaches you the two key aspects of writing a successful comic: solid visual storytelling and a professional-looking script. Learn to produce professional comic book scripts that are ready to be submitted to editors and artists. Bring stories from your imagination to life on the page.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 14 downloads
Important Terminology
6 minutes, 47 seconds
On the Same Page
5 minutes, 38 seconds
Talking in Balloons
7 minutes, 33 seconds
Story Time
5 minutes, 2 seconds
Roughing It: The Pages
7 minutes, 12 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know writer Fred Van Lente. Discover the creative career that led him from studying film to writing comics, graphic novels, and more, along with the influences that inspire him.
Dive into the terminology used in the comics industry. Then learn how to “think in pictures” by creating basic panel compositions for your story. Learn how to manage page layout and length before exploring dialogue and sound effects.
Time to write your story using the techniques you’ve learned so far. Come up with your comic book concept, then create the skeleton for your script, known in the industry as a “page by page breakdown”. Write the dialogue and design your characters before adding scene descriptions to finish your script.
Discover the script format developed by Fred to present your work in a professional way. Then hear how to assemble a team of fellow creatives to bring your comic to life. To finish the course, Fred talks through what to do once your comic is finished, from publishing your work online to attending Comic Cons.
What is this course's project?
Write a six to eight-page comic script that’s ready to be presented to an editor or artist.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to write compelling scripts that bring their story ideas to life in comic book form.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
In terms of materials, you will need basic drawing materials as well as something to write with.
Reviews
- carolina_576090PLUS4 months ago
The course was super great, everything explained very clear, motivating and practical, the resources enable us to really get hands on!! Now ready for the adventure of making a comic :)
- 6 months ago
Excelente curso, ahora lo difícil es sacarlo al mundo
- 6 months ago
Excelente la manera de explicar del profesor, se nota la experiencia y el amor al arte, es un curso muy bueno para tener una base solida y así crear un guion e historia buena.
- 7 months ago
This was fun and informative. I'm also using other writing courses here and mixing them in with this one to help with story structure.
- 7 months ago
EL CURSO ESTA MUY BIEN ORGANIZADO, ME AYUDO A LLENAR LAGUNAS QUE TENIA EN MI PROCESO
Together, Fred and his university alumni created the crime comic The Silencers which caught the attention of Marvel Comics. He then spent the next decade working for Marvel on comics like The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man Legacy, and Wolverine: First Class. Fred also co-wrote The Incredible Hercules and wrote a how-to book for Random House called Make Comics Like the Pros. He has written comics that have been used for movies such as Cowboys & Aliens, and is a published novelist and playwright.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Learning the Basics
- Important Terminology
- Thinking in Pictures
- On the Same Page
- Talking in Balloons
- U3
Developing the Comic
- Story Time
- Roughing It: The Pages
- Roughing It: The Scenes
- Designing Characters
- "The Stitch Up"
- U4
The Last Steps
- The Anatomy of a Script
- Assembling the Team
- Now What?
- FP
Final project
- Script Writing for Comics: Explore Visual Storytelling
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is designed for intermediate learners, but motivated beginners with a strong interest in comics can follow along. Prior knowledge of comics is helpful but not required.
You’ll need basic writing and drawing tools—either digital (like a tablet or computer) or traditional (pen, paper). No advanced software is required; the course focuses on storytelling techniques and script formatting.
You’ll learn comic book storytelling, character development, visual scripting, dialogue writing, page layout, collaboration with artists, and effective pitching and publishing strategies.
Yes, the course includes guidance on pitching comics to major publishers like Marvel and strategies for creating and publishing independent comics.
Yes, the course covers techniques for writing both fiction (superheroes, fantasy) and non-fiction comics (history, educational content).
No advanced drawing skills are required. The course emphasizes visual storytelling and scriptwriting, with tips for planning visuals even if you’re not an artist.
You’ll learn to plan panel grids, use splash pages, manage pacing with panel count, and create dramatic reveals using page turns and spreads.