I'm getting a bit of a late start on my script, and I have a question about the format as explained on the 'How to Format A Comic Book' page in the Writer's Resources.

It says to specify which page we are on in the top corner, and also explains that there is a 2:1 script page to comic page ratio. So here's my question: Is the page number that we specify the page of the script, or the page in the comic book?

Thank you in advance. (:

Frankly I don't recommend using the format document that is posted in resources. It doesn't square with any script I've read or other work by comic book writer on script format.

Personally I suggest using Dark Horse comics suggested format for submissions.

For page count I'm going with the number of script pages doing otherwise just seems like to hard a row to hoe.

If your using Celtx for this months work. The typeset tab has a page count and saves as pdf's which you can then use to upload the script. As for the 2:1 sorry I can't help you other then my official page count is 26, if I copy and paste into word it drops down to 18. Don't know if that helps any.

The number it suggests that you place in the upper-right-hand corner is the page number of the script. This really isn't necessary, but may prove helpful. I tend to put the script page number in the footer.

However, it is always a good idea to write the comic book page number in the upper left, as is demonstrated in the example provided in the formatting suggestion.

If it's helpful, the format I use is as follows:

PAGE ONE (Number of panels)

Panel 1. Stuff and things.

Character 1: I say! Stuff and things!

Character 2: I think not! Things and stuff!

Panel 2. More stuff and things

(if the scripting goes over one page, as is usually my wont, the next page will will look like this:

PAGE ONE (Continued)

Panel 3. Yet more stuff and things.

Good luck.

m

I think that varies completely from person to person.

Personally I don't like script formats that describe every panel and page. I think it's overkill, and better left till the rough drawing/layout stage, especially if you're doing your own art or have an artist that understand storytelling. A good artist should be able to illustrate the action from a more interesting angle and in a more creative way than you can describe it. :) For my stuff, I use screenplay format. It makes it easier for me to focus on the flow of the story, without having to think about how to divide it up between panels. In addition they are easier to read afterwards than a comics formated script.

My page count is the inverse of the 2:1 ratio you mention. I tend to have around three comic pages for every page of script. So a 10 page script for me, would be a 30 page comic. This is a combination of doing the script as a screenplay, and that I like to use silent panels and pages here and there to set the mood. I guess this is more common in Japanese comics, than in American and European ones. Western comics have mainly been short issues, where they had to cram lots on each page to tell the story. If you have 200 pages to play with, you don't mind using 2-5 silent pages just to set the mood for a scene. :)