Monthly Archives: December 2022

23Dec/22

Looking back at 2022

Content Spotlight, News

2022 in Review

As have done the last four years, I’m going to spend some time looking back at what Silverline did in 2022. Before I dive into that, please hear me say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the support you have given us this year—it is greatly appreciated. And as cliché as it sounds, we really couldn’t do this without you.

Re-reading that, I can’t believe that ’22 marks the end of our fourth year. 2019 doesn’t seem THAT long ago, but indeed the first “year in review” was done in December of 2019 (https://silverlinecomics.com/news/silverline-review-of-year-1/) In that review we talked about the website—which was launched June of 2019, the Facebook page-which had 1370 likes and 1377 followers, and the new Silverline section on IndyPlanet!

2020 in review we talked about the live stream we launched in March. In less than three months, our numbers had grown so much we launched a 2nd day/time and had weekly streams on Sunday and Wednesday. We started streaming to Facebook, Youtube, and Twitch, all of which we still do. If you had backed any of our kickstarters (and still lived at the same address), you received a Christmas card from us that year. You would be surprised at the number of them we had returned to us.

2021 in review the new stuff we mentioned was our discord channel and our podcasts. We produced a Christmas Special that year (limited # of copies still available—if you want one, just email us for details) and to this writing, I think it’s one of the coolest things we’ve done!

As I type this, our Facebook page has grown to 2.2k likes and 2.3k followers, so we’ve added about 1000 (https://www.facebook.com/SilverlineComics) – maybe go like and follow if you haven’t already. Our Silverline youtube channel has 274 subscribers (https://www.youtube.com/silverlinecomics) — would still like to push those numbers up, so please go subscribe if you haven’t already. It’s free! The Silverline Twitch channel has 76 followers (https://www.twitch.tv/silverlinecomics) and the Twitter is hanging around 393 (https://twitter.com/SilverlineComic) please consider following if you have the blue bird. We’re on some of the alternate platforms as well, but the activity on those platforms is very minor at this point.

Kickstarters delivered 14 comics in 2022!

That’s right, we ran six kickstarters in 2022. Starting in January, we ran one every other month. March saw us increase from two comics to three, September we did four, and then November saw us attempt five in one kickstarter. That one didn’t make. As we reported there, we were bummed, but not terribly so because we want to make sure we keep pushing and trying new things.

This brings Silverline’s total output to 37 comics since 2019. Yup, thirty-seven. What, you need a list? Okay then:

Beah #1; Beyond the Stars #1; Bloodline one-shot; Cat & Mouse #1-3; Divinity #1-2; Friar Rush #1-2; Kayless #1-4; Kayless Vol 1; Kayless: Achilles Has Landed #1; Krey RemiX #1; The Obsoletes #1; The Rejects #1; The Scary Book RemiX #1; Silverline Christmas Special; Silverline Team-Up #1; Sirens RemiX #1-2; Sniper & Rook #1; Steam Patriots #1; Switchblade RemiX #1-2; Teen Beetle #1-2; Tony GN; Twilight Grimm #1-4; White Devil #1; Wolf Hunter #1.

Comics

Looking back on the three past “upcoming this year,” I thought I’d take a peek and see what we said would happen, but didn’t. I probably should not do that so that it doesn’t put a spotlight on that…but as you know, we try to be fully transparent with you!

We hit all our marks in 2020 and 21.

In 22, however, we said we would deliver these books and did not do so: Cat & Mouse #4, Divinity #3, Beah #2, Silverline Team-Up #2, White Devil #2, Knight Rise #1, Shadow Ghost #1, Satin’s Ways #1, Demon’s Tails RemiX #1. To be fair, we said we hoped to deliver 22 comics and did deliver 14—could have delivered 19 if we hadn’t cancelled our last kickstarter, and Divinity #3 was one of those. So, we don’t look at these as failures, simply delays.

Streaming

We’re still streaming thrice weekly, but our big news is that we tossed our hat in with a bunch of other indy comic making folks and joined the COMICS MADNESS network. Pops Van Zant has done an awesome job of assembling a bunch of quirky comic type folks and getting them all together to create an indy-comics channel. Believe it or not, it’s saved us some monthly subscription money and has increased our eyeballs at the same time. Please consider watching and subscribing!

Website change

As I write this, we’re working to revamp our website. We’re going to change it to be more of a display site than a blog. As is, the blog is the emphasis (Tim TK has done a wonderful job, don’t you think?), but if we can do what we want to do, the website will focus more on the comics we make and we’ll add a store to it.

Thus, this will be our last official blog post. To get more of this content, you need to subscribe to our email list. I’ve already written the first one that will include a what to look for in 2023 and so you need to subscribe to know what’s coming up!

If you’re already subscribed–great! If you aren’t, you can do so here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/silverlinecomics/jan23

And remember to

#makeminesilverline

06Dec/22

How To Write a Comic Script (Marvel Method)

Craft of comic creating, , , , , , , ,

A few months ago, we wrote an article on how to write for comics DC style, or full script. This week, we’re talking about how to write a Marvel Style script, also known as summary script or plot script.

I stated in that previous article that I like to write DC style. It just fits with how my brain works. If you didn’t like the sound of writing DC style but want to write comics, then read on. This style may be for you.

Keep in mind, this is not just writing two to three sentences saying “maybe we’ll do something like this.” You will still need to write out your story fully, but with a few key differences from a full script.

 

The Big Difference

If we think about our comic like a road trip, you as the writer are driving with your artist or illustrator to your target destination. That destination being a completed comic. Using the full script method, you’re driving the entire time, or at least navigating the entire time. You’re always dictating the direction the car is going.

With a summary script, you’re splitting that duty. You’re navigating, but the artist is steering. You’re giving them directions, but there’s enough wiggle room for them to take turns or detours when needed.

 

What Does This Look Like?

With the Full Script style of writing, we label each panel on the page. Then we write the description of that panel and then the dialogue. This makes full script a panel-by-panel method of writing.

In Marvel Style, we write page-by-page.

For each page, we write a paragraph or paragraphs detailing the changes that occur on this page. These are changes in the visual, emotional, and dramatic sense. The characters will start the page in one physical or emotional location and end in a different. Stories are just sequences of changes held together by a theme after all.

You summarize the plot and let the artist decide how that plot gets shown. Then you come back and write the dialogue afterwards.

You need to give your artist and your editor a good deal of information in these paragraphs, otherwise they’ll think you don’t know your own story. Don’t think this is a lazy method and you get to just skimp out on details. Also, don’t do this half and half with another style. You’ll confuse everyone on the project.

An example of this method of writing is how Matt Fraction wrote Hawkeye.

Here’s a few pages from our very own Head Honcho’s plot for Cat & Mouse #1. He said to note that it begins “page 5,” but that page 5 is actually the printed page 1 as it was revised.

How Does This Work In Practice?

You’ll use this method if you are fully collaborating with your artist. That means that you want to share the burden of creating the story with your artist and they are okay with making those decisions. This is a conversation you’ll need to have when you work together. Some artists want to co-create the comic, some just want to be fed details and illustrate what you have created.

Your artist will tell you how much or little detail they want to work with.

 

The Dirty Secret of Writing Comics

So after we explained the full script and Marvel methods, are you ready for a dirty secret? They aren’t even proper methods. As in, there are no rules saying what you can and can’t do.

No two people will write similar scripts, even using the same style. At least comfortably. If you’re going to write a comic, then you need to write it in whatever way that you’re comfortable. You might start with something that resembles one of these methods and then it will morph into your own style.

You should certainly try to make a variation of your style that resembles either method. Just so that you can work with any artist and meet their preferences.

The only accurate guide for style and formatting will be your editor’s instructions, if you work with one. They may have their own preference, or they may just want you to deliver a script that is at least consistent and cohesive.

 

What To Do Next As Writer?

The next thing you should do as a writer is experiment. Try Full Script and Summary methods, see what feels right. Change formatting and style to make it your own. Read plenty of comics and comic scripts as well.

The more you read, the more you elevate your taste. As your taste improves, your skills will rise to match that.

Most importantly, have fun.