Create a Comic Strip

Start with a character and a setting

Who are the characters in your comic strip? Is there a main character and a sidekick or sidekicks?

• Sketch out different characters. You are not limited to people! Animals, aliens, talking objects are all fair game for a comic strip
• Give your characters personalities and quirks: maybe the main character is pessimistic, or always talks about Star Wars.
• In what setting are these characters going to be? Choose an area or setting in which you are an expert or that you know a lot about.

Draw or write out your idea – in pencil!

You can begin with a single panel comic. Or, you can choose 3 or more panels to tell your story.

Planning tools to help you

• Single panel planner
• Single panel with prompts
• 3 panel planner
• 3 panel – speech bubbles
• 4 panel – speech bubbles

Review your comic strip

Review your comic draft, or have someone else review it (peer-review). Make sure they use a review tool to track their comments and suggestions.

When you review your own work, look for the following:

• Is the comic telling a story, a joke or communicating a message?
• Are the characters and the setting appropriate to the message, story or joke?
• Do the expressions on the characters’ faces and their body language add meaning to the comic?
• Does the comic make use of devices such as captions, speech bubbles & sound effects to tell the story?
• Does the illustration style and use of colour add meaning to the comic?

Review tools to help you

• Revise a comic 1
• Revise a comic 2