question about comic book length

IQBrawler · 11-21-2017, 06:08 PM

I'm writing / drawing a seven issue mini-series, each issue a stand-alone story. I'm finding that 22-24 pages are simply not enough time to tell a satisfying story in which, each issue, the readers are coming into the story cold with no knowledge of the plot or characters.

Right now the scripts are written for 30-page issues, but for some reason I keep remember something I read once that the length of a comic book must have a page number that is divisible by 4. However, I've been googling for the last little while and am not seeing this info.

Is there a page length I should aim for that would make it easier to shop around for publishers?

Thanks in advance,
J

Here are the first three pages of issue #1:

sevans · 11-21-2017, 06:39 PM

pick up a marvel, dc or image comic and look.
One sheet of paper equals 4 pages.....folded in half and printed on the reverse.

**Steven Forbes** · 11-21-2017, 07:29 PM

You're right in that they have to be divisible by 4. That's just for printing.

Actually, just go here and read. Lots of information there.

Hope that helps!
-Steven

Scribbly · 11-21-2017, 11:05 PM

I would say stick with episodes of 22/24 pages as DC and Marvel or any mainstream publisher does.
Six episodes and you have a graphic novel on hand.
Or go the long length making a 150/300 pages Graphic novel at once.
The problem with comics stories that are more than 30 pages length is that the narrative's pressure gets decompressed causing lost of interest on the reader.
Unless outstanding writing or amazing artwork can prove otherwise.
But since you are dubious and asking I'm not sure you are there yet.

-Is there a page length I should aim for that would make it easier to shop around for publishers?-
American publishers?
Easier is what they already know as common ground:22 pages per chapter or episode. Whether the story could go self-conclusive or in continuity.
And yes for printing purposes the pages should be multiples of 4.
Minimum of 4 pages, or 8 or 12 or 16 or 20 or 24.

Stewart Vernon · 11-26-2017, 07:15 PM

IF you are going to do a printed version, it will need to be a multiple of four pages for the print version. That said, it doesn't mean you need your story to cover all of those pages.

If your story as constructed happens to fit 30 pages, then you need 2 more pages of content. You can add commentary/background or a couple of pin-ups or whatever.

In big company world, they sell advertisements to make up their page count too.. but I assume you will not be doing that for your comic.

I always say that you should write the story for the page count that the story makes sense. Don't try and stretch it out or compress it to make it work if you don't have to do so. If you can make the story fit a multiple-of-four then great! But if not, consider other kinds of content to fill those spare pages.

ctrop99 · 12-19-2017, 02:28 AM

I know it's very unconventional, but I find that the first issue of my comic needs to be the 40 pages I have allocated for it in the script. This is so there is enough payoff for what I'm setting up through exposition.

My question is, would a 40 page count for my first issue really scare away publishers? The subsequent issues aren't going to be as long, this is only the case for the first issue because of expositional purposes. I want there to be action to payoff for the important exposition that sets up the myth of my world.

SSTiger · 12-19-2017, 10:01 AM

I think it'd depend on the publisher; printing costs would be higher for 40 pages and some would be willing to risk it for quality work; others, maybe not.

Scribbly · 12-19-2017, 10:39 AM

LETS SAY YOU ARE A PUBLISHER.
You may have your budget already preset. Your arrangements and cost were made and signed with the Printer for printing an specific amount of pages, 32 pages, for any book you may bring on print. The cost of printing each book is fixed for several thousand dollars. The amount of copies could go from 3 to 10 thousand copies.
Then, an unknown dude came onto you with a book format that will force you to alter and redo all these arrangements. At a bigger money-cost for you. What do you do?

Even, IF the book is made in a correct format.
The quality of writing, the story concept and ultimately the artwork are final conditionings on the face of Editors.
Why don't you go on self-publishing by starting as everybody does?
At least, to test the waters with your produce.
Nowadays, there are many On Demand Printers online that can help you for an affordable cost.

http://www.grekoprinting-comixwellsp...taple-binding/

http://ka-blam.com/printing/index.ph...alculator&op=1

https://www.nationsprint.com/clients...gi?tag=booklet

https://www.publishingxpress.com/pro...itch-printing/

https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/Po...4-c6f95fd9846a

Having a printed book on hand, will show you what the printing demands are.
Plus, you will have a printed book that can be used as sampler and submission for Editors .
Good luck. Is your show.

PS: FYI, Editors do deal with authors. Publishers deal with Printers and Distributor.

11-21-2017, 06:39 PM	#2
sevans www.sevans.co.nz Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nowheresville, New Zealand Posts: 6,000	pick up a marvel, dc or image comic and look. One sheet of paper equals 4 pages.....folded in half and printed on the reverse. __________________ Have a look at all my other work.... you won't regret it. Well you might, but do it anyway! https://sevans73.deviantart.com/gallery/ www.sevans.co.nz

11-21-2017, 07:29 PM	#3
Steven Forbes Freelance Editor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In the moment Posts: 3,876	You're right in that they have to be divisible by 4. That's just for printing. Actually, just go here and read. Lots of information there. Hope that helps! -Steven __________________ Learn to make comics at ComixTribe! Be part of the Tribe! E-Mail me for your editing needs. Twitter: @stevedforbes "Criticism is an acknowledgment of your ability to produce results." David Gerrold

11-26-2017, 07:15 PM	#5
Stewart Vernon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Kittrell, NC Posts: 1,554	IF you are going to do a printed version, it will need to be a multiple of four pages for the print version. That said, it doesn't mean you need your story to cover all of those pages. If your story as constructed happens to fit 30 pages, then you need 2 more pages of content. You can add commentary/background or a couple of pin-ups or whatever. In big company world, they sell advertisements to make up their page count too.. but I assume you will not be doing that for your comic. I always say that you should write the story for the page count that the story makes sense. Don't try and stretch it out or compress it to make it work if you don't have to do so. If you can make the story fit a multiple-of-four then great! But if not, consider other kinds of content to fill those spare pages. __________________ - Where you AT-AT? Where I go when I am not here.

12-19-2017, 10:01 AM	#7
SSTiger sahithstiger@gmail.com Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 161	I think it'd depend on the publisher; printing costs would be higher for 40 pages and some would be willing to risk it for quality work; others, maybe not. __________________ I am Storyteller, Fortuneseeker, Worldbuilder. Sample Script Writer Portfolio sahithstiger@gmail.com

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11-21-2017, 06:08 PM	#1
IQBrawler Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 8	question about comic book length I'm writing / drawing a seven issue mini-series, each issue a stand-alone story. I'm finding that 22-24 pages are simply not enough time to tell a satisfying story in which, each issue, the readers are coming into the story cold with no knowledge of the plot or characters. Right now the scripts are written for 30-page issues, but for some reason I keep remember something I read once that the length of a comic book must have a page number that is divisible by 4. However, I've been googling for the last little while and am not seeing this info. Is there a page length I should aim for that would make it easier to shop around for publishers? Thanks in advance, J Here are the first three pages of issue #1:

11-21-2017, 11:05 PM	#4
Scribbly Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wicked Salem, MA Posts: 4,911	I would say stick with episodes of 22/24 pages as DC and Marvel or any mainstream publisher does. Six episodes and you have a graphic novel on hand. Or go the long length making a 150/300 pages Graphic novel at once. The problem with comics stories that are more than 30 pages length is that the narrative's pressure gets decompressed causing lost of interest on the reader. Unless outstanding writing or amazing artwork can prove otherwise. But since you are dubious and asking I'm not sure you are there yet. -Is there a page length I should aim for that would make it easier to shop around for publishers?- American publishers? Easier is what they already know as common ground:22 pages per chapter or episode. Whether the story could go self-conclusive or in continuity. And yes for printing purposes the pages should be multiples of 4. Minimum of 4 pages, or 8 or 12 or 16 or 20 or 24.

12-19-2017, 02:28 AM	#6
ctrop99 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: United States Posts: 4	I know it's very unconventional, but I find that the first issue of my comic needs to be the 40 pages I have allocated for it in the script. This is so there is enough payoff for what I'm setting up through exposition. My question is, would a 40 page count for my first issue really scare away publishers? The subsequent issues aren't going to be as long, this is only the case for the first issue because of expositional purposes. I want there to be action to payoff for the important exposition that sets up the myth of my world.

12-19-2017, 10:39 AM	#8
Scribbly Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wicked Salem, MA Posts: 4,911	LETS SAY YOU ARE A PUBLISHER. You may have your budget already preset. Your arrangements and cost were made and signed with the Printer for printing an specific amount of pages, 32 pages, for any book you may bring on print. The cost of printing each book is fixed for several thousand dollars. The amount of copies could go from 3 to 10 thousand copies. Then, an unknown dude came onto you with a book format that will force you to alter and redo all these arrangements. At a bigger money-cost for you. What do you do? Even, IF the book is made in a correct format. The quality of writing, the story concept and ultimately the artwork are final conditionings on the face of Editors. Why don't you go on self-publishing by starting as everybody does? At least, to test the waters with your produce. Nowadays, there are many On Demand Printers online that can help you for an affordable cost. http://www.grekoprinting-comixwellsp...taple-binding/ http://ka-blam.com/printing/index.ph...alculator&op=1 https://www.nationsprint.com/clients...gi?tag=booklet https://www.publishingxpress.com/pro...itch-printing/ https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/Po...4-c6f95fd9846a Having a printed book on hand, will show you what the printing demands are. Plus, you will have a printed book that can be used as sampler and submission for Editors . Good luck. Is your show. PS: FYI, Editors do deal with authors. Publishers deal with Printers and Distributor.