Led by industry expert Tommy Ruth, students in grades 6-8 will dive into the process of creating their very own comic book or graphic novel. Whether you’re new to comics or a budding artist, you’ll explore every step of the creative process, from theme development and character creation to scriptwriting and visual storytelling. By the end of the course, you’ll have a completed comic concept ready to pitch, complete with professional artwork and a compelling story.

This course offers interactive lessons, industry insights, and the opportunity to showcase your work in national competitions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Analyze universal themes in comic books and graphic novels and apply these ideas to your own work.
• Develop multidimensional characters using physical, psychological, and social traits to enhance your story.
• Create a structured outline for your story, mapping out key plot points, character arcs, and themes.
• Write a professional-quality script, describing both visual elements and dialogue for sequential panels.
• Collaborate and apply visual storytelling techniques, ensuring your comic’s artwork aligns with the narrative and emotional tone.
• Present a polished comic book concept, complete with character art and a detailed story outline, to peers for feedback.

Lesson Titles

Comic Book and Graphic Novel Themes

Meet Tommy Ruth and learn the basics of storytelling in comics. Explore universal themes and how they are conveyed through visual and written narratives.

Character Focus

Create multidimensional characters by considering their physical traits, psychology, and social background. Use Tommy Ruth’s Bone Structure tool to bring your characters to life.

Outlining the Story

Develop an outline for your comic, identifying key plot events and your character’s journey. Learn how to structure a story that keeps readers engaged.

Script Writing

Write a script for your comic, including descriptions of panel compositions and dialogue. Learn the techniques to make your visuals and text work seamlessly together.

Applying Artwork

Collaborate with peers to create artwork that aligns with your story’s themes and emotions. Focus on techniques like shading, composition, and panel layout to enhance storytelling.