Fred Van Lente - Writer At Large

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how to format a comics script

I've been very flattered over the years to be complimented on the way I format my comics scripts. I started developing this style when I was a teenager and discovered an unpublished Howard the Duck script that one of my heroes, Steve Gerber, had uploaded to CompuServe -- this very script in fact, that a reader tracked down for me. I modified Gerber's format considerably, particularly under the guidance of Lee Nordling, my supportive editor at Platinum Studios, when we did Cowboys & Aliens together. There have been a few tweaks since then, helped, if I remember correctly, by Nate Cosby while he was an editor at Marvel.

I wrote an article for Stephanie Cooke's site Creator Resource about why I format scripts this way and what its advantages are.

So -- keeping in mind there is no "right" or "standard" way to format a comics script -- here's templates on how I do it. This is what I think is the easiest-to-read and the most efficient format for the pencillers, inkers, colorists, letterers and editors to get the information they need to complete an issue.

Remember, save them to the "My Templates" folder in your Office Library or they won't show up in Microsoft Word's Project Gallery.

For more information on writing comics -- not to mention drawing, inking, coloring, lettering, editing, pitching, publishing, and marketing them -- pick up Make Comics Like the Pros by Greg Pak and I.

downloadable templates

NEW AS OF MARCH 2018! I added a template for Pages if that's your jam.

Click here for a TEMPLATE FOR APPLE PAGES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS.(*.template)

Click here for THE MS-WORD TEMPLATE WITH INSTRUCTIONS. (*.dotx)

Click here for a CLEAN MS-WORD TEMPLATE WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS. (*.dotx)

Click here for a TEMPLATE FOR 1997-2004 MICROSOFT WORD. (*.dot)

UPDATES! The joy of open sourcing: Writers Michael Patrick McMullen and Rob Marland modified my template in useful ways. Michael made one for the Scrivener word processing program (which I highly recommend). Rob added fields to automatically add lettering and panel numbers. I am not a fan of auto-numbering but I also type about 90 words a minute (the joys of being an ex-temp) so manually adjusting the numbers is not a big deal for me. You, however, may feel differently, so here are his templates:

Click here to download MICHAEL PATRICK MCMULLEN'S SCRIVENER TEMPLATE. (*.scriv + related files)

Click here to download ROB MARLAND'S TEMPLATE WITH AUTO-NUMBERING FIELDS. (*.dotx)

Click here to download ROB'S AUTO-NUMBERING TEMPLATE WITH INSTRUCTIONS. (*.dotx)

Don't email or tweet me for technical help. I'm not qualified to come to your aid. Fair warning!

script archive

Some completed scripts so you can see the format in action.

MARVEL ZOMBIES HALLOWEEN One-Shot Script / Copyright 2012 Marvel Comics / Read the completed comic here.

BRAIN BOY #1 Script / Copyright 2013 Dark Horse Comics / Read the completed comic here.

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #1 Script / Copyright 2012 Valiant Comics / Read the completed comic here.

ACTION PHILOSOPHERS: "Immanuel Kant" Script / Copyright 2006 Ryan Dunlavey & Fred Van Lente / Read the completed comic here.

All Contents Copyright Fred Van Lente - All rights reserved.