The 12 Commandments of Making Comics

Comments · 148

• BL

  @bloke1348 · 1 year ago

  This is good but the most important rule was forgotten: never repeat in the drawing what the character just described in the dialogue.

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• AN

  @AntonioTylerDraws · 1 year ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QevYxOC7TYs&amp;t=537">8:57</a> this is so true. Same goes with mid run hiatuses. “I just need a break” turns into 5 years.

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• TM

  @tmY90265 · 1 year ago

  As someone who has worked with Jake in the past in Animation, I can say for a fact he knows and lives what he is talking about. Some of these tips are somethings he mentioned years ago and which I still use today and its been a great help.

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• MA

  @Manwitch60 · 1 year ago

  I&apos;ve been sitting on a graphic novel for 12 years, thank you Jake , for this. Doing it old school, no digital, and yes, know the ending before you start.

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• EL

  @elive1367 · 3 months ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QevYxOC7TYs&amp;t=36">0:36</a> No way! You did Missile Mouse? I remember getting those at the library…

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• RY

  @ryannixon4138 · 3 months ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QevYxOC7TYs&amp;t=80">1:20</a> I… actually am finishing my fifth comic lol

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• NE

  @NekuZX · 4 months ago

  &quot;It all comes down to 1 thing&quot; <b>lists 12 things</b>

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• KO

  @koljak9395 · 1 year ago (edited)

  Great advice! Your closing remarks really hit the spot, too. I usually finish what I started and am seeing myself as a &quot;reliable finisher&quot;. Recently I did leave a trail of half-done projects, though, and it really <b>does</b> chip away at that hard-won identity. Not a nice feeling - and there are consequences. Avoid at all costs.

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• ZA

  @zattart · 1 year ago

  Number 6 is by the far the most important commandment I need to ingrain into my head. It alone is why I haven&apos;t seen any of my longer form comics through to the end. As always, thanks Jake!

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• SL

  @SlobZombie · 8 months ago

  Thank you for this list! <br>Your clear cut &quot;go-getter&quot; energy is inspiring bro. I don&apos;t have anyone on my life who&apos;s functioning on a high vibration like you, so your videos are super helpful and motivating.

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• SP

  @SpaceShip-Orion · 1 year ago

  I love when I find a video like this and I can honestly be like:<br>&quot;Yeah I know most of this&quot;

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• ES

  @essbee71 · 1 year ago

  I often use &quot;widescreen&quot; panels to tell my stories. I’ll vary the heights, tilt them dramatically during action scenes, and break them up with insert panels while shifting the camera angles. I use smaller panels to slow things down and let moments breathe--but the widescreen format is my foundation.<br>That probably comes from being influenced by film and cinematographers as much—if not more—than comics or comic strips. And honestly, I just like the way they look.<br>Still, I often feel a bit lesser-than. Like a hack. I wish I were better at being more “traditional,” for lack of a better word. I’ve had this conversation with seasoned pros I’ve been lucky enough to know and the response is usually something like: “So what? Tell YOUR story YOUR way.”<br>Very kind. It helps.<br><br>Ah well—onwards!<br>Thanks for doing what you do, Jake. You continue to build one helluva legacy!

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