If you are looking to write a science fiction comic book then it helps to know how to write both comic books and science fiction. You have to be aware of genre conventions while at the same time looking for a new and interesting angle for your potential readers. With the right approach it is possible to learn how to join the great science fiction comic book authors with your seminal work.

The first thing to establish is whether or not you will be drawing the story as well as writing it. If you are going to draw it for yourself then you do not need to worry about the level of detail in the script as you are writing it for yourself. However if you are writing for an artist then you need to be aware of the level of the detail in the script.

Some people worry about this because they fear this will result in consciously or unconsciously copying ideas. This is why it is worth reading a wide variety of stories. This will then make it easier to get a story that is well constructed and borrows from a wide variety of influences.

There is also the issue of how much detail to include in a script. On a basic level you need to include any captions or speech bubbles. Remember to keep the text to a minimum. If you can tell the story with mainly images then this will work best. Any big speeches should be broken up as much as possible to keep the page engaging for the reader.

You also need to know about the genre itself. The genre encompasses a wide array of stories. 2001 A Space Odyssey is a slow and contemplative reflection on evolution and existence while District 9 is a mock documentary using alien invaders as a subtext for apartheid.

This means reading stories, watching movies and TV shows. As you watch and read you should learn more about the conventions. You can then begin to think about ways you can subvert those conventions when it comes to writing your own stories. A great example was the Edgar Wright film Shaun of the Dead where a classic romantic comedy storyline was fused with the zombie subgenre.

With a comic book there is also the issue of space. Typically a single issue will be around 22 to 24 pages. On average each page tends to be around four to six panels. Therefore you need to be careful when it comes to the amount of information you put in a panel. If you are drawing the story yourself then you do not need to worry about the description. However if you are writing for someone else you need to include enough information to guide the artist without being excessively instructive.

There are numerous ways you can develop ideas for your science fiction comic book. It is worth looking online for tips from established authors as well as looking for sample scripts. This will make it easier for you to learn the process of writing as well as how to set it out properly and get your comic developed as efficiently as possible.