Indie Comix People: What do you do and How do you do it?

So I've been wanting to create a Doctor Who fan-comic for several years now (yeah I know, how original...), and I have a couple of pages of character sketches & some half-assed story outlines. I want to get serious so I guess I would like to know how you guys do it? Like, your process and lettering fonts and the best pens for inking & shit.

I am useless with a wacom, so I'm not fucking with that.

Also, since I know its gonna take forever to get it done anyway, I figured I'd make it graphic novel length and spend a couple years, rather of taking six months to make 12 pages... Does this seem like a good idea?

I'd say just use whatever materials you like best and gets across what you want the clearest. The look of most comics is due partly to past reproduction limitations and page number restrictions that aren't as big a concern now. Also deadlines, which you don't have.

Also, since I know its gonna take forever to get it done anyway, I figured I'd make it graphic novel length and spend a couple years, rather of taking six months to make 12 pages... Does this seem like a good idea?

No. Setting yourself a task you can complete seems a better idea, especially if you're trying to figure out what you're doing.

Huh, thought there'd be more responses to this thread tbh.

Maybe do one page and post it here so that we can ooh and aaah?

World of indie comix is pretty small. You might get more replies on a comics forum

Seconding the "post a page" request above

it's not like people on this board and in the biz don't drop job stories all the time... but ok, guess i touched a nerve

There's only one semi-active cartoonist on the board afaik

Maybe do one page and post it here so that we can ooh and aaah?

― let's not get too excited w/ the ouches (forksclovetofu),

I've got a page rough draft done, I'll start working on the panels and do the layout & save the page as JPG so you can all see how crappy I draw (lol).

I would never want to discourage anyone from a creative pursuit, and I hope making comics gives you pleasure for life.

But - deciding to start off your 'career' as a cartoonist with plans for a not-fully-written graphic novel, that you estimate will take two years to complete, seems to be a mad case of running before walking. Forgive me if I say I doubt that you will ever complete it.

IMHO, you would be much better off working on a fully plotted and written 'short' script - four pages at most - and then paying careful attention to comic strips of a similar length. Think about the structure of both your narrative and of the pages themselves; tying yourself into a regulated, Watchmen-like grid of six or nine panels a page automatically gives your comic an internal discipline and focus that might well be absent from something more 'freeform' or unplanned. Look at the way someone like Alex Toth 'stages' his action even in a very short strip, and the way he transitions from one panel to another. Comics generally are not fast or improvisational - they are slow, meticulous, and requires a phenomenal amount of drudge work and planning to achieve good results.

Good luck!

Oh it's not a career, just a hobby. I would never imagine I could make any money this way. Thank you for the advice!

As a hobby you should just do whatever the hell you like. It's all learning. And if it's not learning, it should at least be fun. I understand the instinct -- I used to write for $$$ in my 20s but now I'm much happier hobbying it for no one in particular.

That said, would also love to see a page!

Also - never read any Toth. Is there a good place to start Ward?

http://www.tcj.com/rina-ayuyang-day-one/

depressing

Chuck, apologies, I only just saw your question about Toth

His best work is spread amongst a number of different publishers, so unfortunately there isn't one obvious place to start.

If you have the money, the three 'Genius' volumes put out by IDW collect together lots of his best artwork, much of it shot from the original pages, and does includes some complete stories. IDW have also just brought out a lovely collection of 'Bravo For Adventure', the strip that was probably closest to Toth's heart, and which represents the longest single narrative he ever drew.

A cheaper option is the recent hardcover collection of all Toth's strips for Warren, which gives a good idea of his range and ability, though the stories are on the whole fairly dopey. The first page of 'The Monument' in this volume might be my favourite splash page of all time:

http://40.media.tumblr.com/e8cce4098536b8d168a47e9ef8f8eac4/tumblr_inline_nlmxngEVgB1qe90ht_500.jpg

i thought this was a really interesting conversation and a suggestion both of what the "new history" of self-publishing is shaping up to be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CojfpoRZXOk
i like spike's 'poorcraft'; dunno about anything else from iron circus

have vague memories of Templar, AZ - should revisit. spike seems cool, good talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6F_CF7Yvo0

another thumbs up. i've never watched Bojack Horseman

Kinda hate bojack based on the s1 first ep... But I love her work in general!