#StoCoComics Challenge
An 8-day crash course to designing a one-page comic
Welcome to the inaugural #StoCoComics Challenge
April 18 - April 25, 2022
In partnership with DriveThruComics
This 100% free creative challenge is a guided 8-day-long program that takes you step-by-step through making a one-page, 5-panel comic "vignette."
Storytelling Collective is combining the spirit of Free Comic Book Day (May 7) with the concept of 24-Hour Comics Day, (which occurs in the fall).
You do not have to be an experienced writer or artist to participate in this challenge.
The goal of this mini "crash course" is to design a one-page comic that we'll be publishing in a collection for Free Comic Book Day for the first time in Storytelling Collective’s history!
Our guided daily courses unlock starting on April 18th and end on April 25th. Register now to get your templates and join us in the #stoco-comics channel on Discord.
Free Comic Book Day Collection
May 7, 2022
The StoCo team will be publishing your vignettes for release on May 7th in celebration of Free Comic Book Day. The collection will be free for a limited time.
Challenge Schedule
Here's an overview of the 8-day challenge, and what you can expect
Day 1: Brainstorming Your Concept and Establishing Your "Vignette"
Establishing your concept via brainstorming maps. In this lesson, we'll cover the basics of brainstorming using a brainstorming map, and how to distill your concept to a "vignette" that fits on a single page.
Unlocks April 18th
Day 2: Scripting Your Vignette
Drafting a basic script. In this lesson, you'll learn how to write a simple script based on your vignette from Day 1.
Unlocks April 19th
Day 3: Thumbnailing Your Comic
Sketching out the rough thumbnails for your one-page vignette. In this lesson, you'll learn the basics of thumbnailing and how this step in the process can help you nail down your panels.
Unlocks April 20th
Day 4: Sketching Your Comic
Sketching out your comic panels in more detail. In this lesson, you'll learn how to make your thumbnails into more substantial sketches. For non-illustrators, you'll want to finish collecting the artistic assets you're using in lieu of drawing.
Unlocks April 21st
Days 5 & 6: Ink and Color—or Refine—Your Comic
Inking and coloring, or refining, your panels. In this lesson, you'll learn what the inking and coloring steps are for, and will also learn the basics of color theory.
Unlocks April 22nd
Days 7 & 8: Putting the Final Touches on Your Comic
Adding lettering and panel borders and getting your page ready for submission. In this lesson, we'll cover what lettering is and provide some resources on finishing your page, as well as the importance of panel borders and gutters!
Unlocks April 24th
About the Instructor
This creative challenge was designed and developed by comic book creator Kayla Cline
Kayla Cline
Kayla Cline is a graphic novelist and illustrator based on the East Coast. In addition to working for Explosm (Cyanide & Happiness) as a marketing specialist, she's a prolific comic creator and artist. Kayla is the co-writer and illustrator of The Rite of Rumble, which recently raised over 600% of its funding goal on IndieGogo. She has illustrated for Hit Point Press, Wizards of the Coast, and for many other community driven tabletop roleplaying products. Her work is featured in the comics anthology Insider Art. She can be found recording her podcast Spooky Scouts, designing clothing for the brand We Crowing Hens, or just coming up with new creative ways to connect with communities. Learn more at KaylaCline.com.