Many aspiring writers and artists ask me how I put together a comic script–how I format the script, how much description do I put on the page, how much the final product varies from the original script. I think one of the best ways to describe my scripts is to share them. (In fact, I wrote my first comic books after reading some of Greg Rucka’s scripts.) I’m working on putting together a script book, but in the meantime I’ll post some of them here!
To start things off, I’m posting the complete script to The Sixth Gun #1. My format has changed a little bit over the years, but this is still a pretty good representation of how I tackle a script. If you have that issue, you’re ready to compare the script to the finished product. If you don’t have that issue (shame on you!) you can download it for free (and legally) from ComiXology. While you’re there, buy some of the other issues.
Here’s the script:
Sixth Gun Issue 1
(.doc format)
I hope this is helpful for you! If you’re an artist interested in putting together sample pages based on this script, I’d love to see what you do! If you’re a writer, please let me know if this proved useful for you! For more about my process, check out the “plot to script” post i did a few weeks back!
As an aspiring writer, I appreciate you putting this up. I try and read scripts from as many creators as possible because unlike film or tv, comics scripts have a format, style, and rhythm different for each creator. It helps a lot being able to see how each person does it and then use that to find what best works for you and your voice.
It’s always helpful to see the comic scripts of good writers. I have always approached scripts as a writer, but I think it would be an interesting exercise to put together sample pages from the script. I may have to try my hand at that.
Thanks for putting this out as a resource.
This is fantastic. I am an aspiring screenwriting/comicbook writer that has sought out good examples of format etc. This is by far the most helpful. Partially because I am a huge fan of The Sixth Gun (proud owner of FCBD issue #1).
I am going to use this format as a rough template. I suggest others to do the same.