Five Things We Learned Making Our First Comic

via Instagram @countdownpublishing

From start to finish, it took us nearly six years to complete the first issue of our flagship comic book series, Viroco! During that time, the story went through several versions, major pivots, and almost ended up shelved entirely. But now, with the next issue on the way, we’re finding our groove — and we want to share a few lessons we learned for fellow aspiring comic book creators.

Make a Plan — Even a Loose One

It doesn’t have to be set in stone, but having an outline helps guide your journey. Try to set designated times for writing, drawing, and brainstorming. If you’re working with a team, set deadlines and check in regularly to stay on track. Utilize project management tools like Monday.com, Asana, or Wrike to help stay on schedule.

Understand the Roles Involved

“Writer” and “illustrator” are just the tip of the iceberg. Comic book creation also involves inking, coloring, lettering, and editing. Decide early whether you want to handle it all yourself or spread the workload across collaborators. Understanding these roles helps you plan your timeline and budget more realistically.

Keep Creating Outside the Page

Even when you're taking a break from the main story, stay sharp. Sketching existing characters in your own style is a great way to improve your technique and develop your visual voice. Journaling as your characters or writing bios and scenario responses can also deepen your understanding of them. Bonus: these sketches and notes often double as great promotional material.

Explore Your Publishing Options

Self-publishing is more accessible than ever, but each platform comes with trade-offs. For example, IndyPlanet only charges for shipping and printing, but you’ll handle your own promotion. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), on the other hand, takes a percentage of each sale but offers broader marketing tools. Weigh the pros and cons and choose the option that fits your goals and resources.

Get Feedback Early and Often

Don’t wait until your comic is fully written or illustrated to get input. Workshop your plot, worldbuilding, and character designs as early as possible. Whether it’s friends, peers, or online communities, feedback can catch weak spots and spark better ideas before you've committed too much time.

Time To Create

We hope you found these tips helpful on your comic book creation journey. Let us know your thoughts and if you have tips of your own, drop them in the comments below. Happy creating!

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