Let's talk comic strip

[Kathy]

I'd love to try my hand at a comic strip and have an idea for one. I keep coming up with "episodes" or strip stories and would like to have y'all join in a discussion about how to develop a strip.

I'd like to start with discussing the main character(s). Seems like most of the best strips have just 2 or maybe 3 main characters, a handfull of supporting characters you frequently see, and then however many extras they need or want.

My idea has too many main characters! I've got, like, 5. Do you think I should combine some of the traits, to have a smaller cast? Or maybe pick a couple to be the Main Ones (like Charlie Brown and Snoopy are main characters in Peanuts) and then use the other three as a close second (like Linus and Lucy are quite prevalent in the strip.) Or is 5 OK?

Let's discuss!

Kathy

[DaD O Matic]

Hi Kathy.
I don't really do strips just what comes out based on a loose idea.Some characters seem to develop themselves.
I have an evil genius who goes by the name commander, but his name really is Dr. Zot,he was created in a lab using cell stems and a bio genetic zygot,then there are the TRO-GEN O BOTS.cyborg like soildiers who really just like puppies,facebook and being social.
I personally don't use borders with any of my work,I make my own word balloons and print my own words ,I know I could use software,I just like this, it's real, personal I want to connect to the viewer.
I say Kathy just do it, there is no right or wrong. Your strip will find the right amount of caracters and the strongest ones will prevail.
Anyway thats how it works for me. Hope that helped looking foward to seeing it.

[Kathy]

Maybe no right or wrong, but some set ups are stronger than others. I'd like to start as best as I can-hopefully strong. And I'd like to have characters developed a bit right from the start so I don't flounder around trying to figure out "Thats funny, but which character would say it?" or trying to figure out why something doesn't work. It might be that the character is vague. I'd like to try to avoid that because I'm sure I'll gave enough trouble with other things!

[Steve B]

Hi Kathy

I would humbly suggest no more than three main characters. I've done two strips in my time (one is still ongoing) First one had just one character, the one I'm doing now has three. Just my op of course.

[Simon Lake]

I think 5 is okay but not a lot more than that. They all have to have certain Personality traits and that could be a bit tough to keep up with with more than 5. The whole idea about a Strip is to sustain an idea and target a specific Audience be it Hustler Magazine or Farmers Weekly. Try to focus on something that you are enthusiastic about. If you like taking baths do a Strip about rubber ducks for example. This will serve to maintain your interest and theirs which will give you the mileage to keep doing it and bieng as funny as possible.

[Kathy]

So, maybe 2 or 3 main characters, with 2 or 3 being supporting characters that are frequently seen. I think I can work with that.

I think what I'll do next is try to develop the characters a bit, sort of define what their personallities are like, motivations, etc. That will help me to write things that work better for each character.

Anyone want to share their writing tips or advice?

[Steve B]

Advice - study the people around you. I get inspired a lot that way If yiou find yourself in situations where you are surrounded by clueless people consider that a bonus.
Seriously.

[Simon Lake]

So then the clue is to try and find these people and infiltrate their envioronment and do some rough sketches and take notes? Right, I'm off to the Loony Bin with my Compaq. I've just ordered a Cab.

Hahahaha only joking Steve. Yes I know where you're coming from. Might as well get some mileage out of them and they aren't that hard to find after all. Potential Viewers will empathise with you to a certain degree with this and it can be milked.

However, in retrospect you could also have like the really clever characters in the same Strip that clash with them. This could be going somewhere. You could call it Dumb and not Dumber?

[Steve B]

Simon I realize it sounds cruel in these politically correct times but nonetheless....

[Simon Lake]

No I wasn't having a go at all. I agree with you. Don't think I'm bieng condesending or anything and if you don't do it then I will.

[Steve B]

er.. I do it all the time actually

[Kathy]

Not cruel at all, people are idiots! I used to sell handmade soap and people would ask how to use it (?!)

My characters are dogs, and I love to put animals in human situations, so thats actually great advice! Just go to any store or anyplace where there are groups of people and it's kind of like, they write the jokes for you, you just have to capture it.

[Steve B]

Agreed - your soap story reminds me of a clever local girl who makes hand made soap which look like cakes and fruit. You know what - the standards department stopped her as they deemed them too realistic and therefore dangerous, True story btw

[Kathy]

OMG, how stupid!

OK, so, clueless people, check. Plenty of material available there!

Now, how about lettering? What do you like to use? Your own handwriting? A standard text font? A special cartoon font?

Edit: Here's an interesting site with fonts: http://www.blambot.com/fonts.shtml

[Steve B]

For my strips I use a font called Twelve Ton Fishsticks. It was very much an on-the-spot decision when I started the strip. There is plenty of free stuff out there. Own handwriting is good (very very personalized) if you have that luxury called time.

G'night I need my sleep now......zzzzzz...zzzz.....zzz