Comic script guide
How to Write a Comic Script: Format, Example and Rules
By the Panelo team · Updated
Quick answer
Write it page by page: head each page (PAGE ONE), number each panel with a short present-tense description for the artist, and number each line of lettering with the speaker in capitals, or CAPTION for narration and SFX for sound. Keep one action per panel, about 35 words and 3 balloons at most.
A full script example
PAGE ONE (3 panels)
PANEL 1
Wide. A tiny ramen shop glows on a rainy street at night.
1. CAPTION: Tokyo, 2041. The last shop that still cooks by hand.
PANEL 2
Inside. KENJI (60s, apron, bandana) stirs a huge pot.
2. KENJI: Closing time. Nobody comes out in this rain.
3. SFX: BLUB BLUB
PANEL 3
The door slides open. A soaked GIRL (10) holds a robot's broken arm.
4. GIRL: Do you fix robots too?
5. KENJI (OFF): ...What?The parts of a script
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PAGE ONE | Start of a page; many writers add the panel count |
| PANEL 1 | A panel; the description under it is for the artist |
| NAME: | Dialogue in a speech balloon |
| CAPTION: | Narration or a place and time box |
| SFX: | A sound effect drawn into the art |
| (OFF) | The speaker is off panel; the tail points to the edge |
| (WHISPER), (BURST) | A dashed balloon, or a spiky shouted one |
| (ELEC) | A voice from a phone, radio or screen |
| (THOUGHT) | A thought balloon; many modern comics use captions instead |
Writing panel descriptions
- Present tense, one moment: "She kicks the door open", not "She walks over and then kicks the door".
- Start with the shot if it matters: wide, medium, close-up, from above.
- Describe a new character or place once, the first time they appear, in capitals.
- Only describe what can be drawn. A smell or a memory needs a caption or a picture.
How many words fit in a panel
Many editors aim for about 25 to 35 words and no more than 3 balloons per panel, and about 6 panels per page. More than that and the lettering covers the art. Break a long speech across panels, or cut it. The script formatter counts words per panel and flags crowded panels.
Full script or plot first
In a full script, everything above is written before the art. In the plot-first method (often called the Marvel method), the writer gives the artist a page-by-page plot, the artist draws, and the writer adds dialogue to the finished pages. Full script is the most common for new teams because everyone knows what each page holds.
Plan around the page turn
In a printed Western comic, odd-numbered pages are on the right. The reader sees a new left page only after turning, so put surprises at the top of even pages and end odd pages on a question. In manga it's mirrored. Webtoons have no pages; use a long gap before a reveal instead.
Turning a script into a comic
The Panelo comic studio works script first: it writes panels, shots and dialogue from your idea, lets you edit every scene and line, then draws and letters it. Good for checking whether a script works before you commission an artist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard format for a comic script?
There is no single official format, but most publishers accept a full script: pages headed PAGE ONE, numbered panels with a description, and numbered balloons with the speaker's name in capitals.
How long is a comic script for one issue?
A 22-page full script is often 25 to 40 pages of text, depending on how detailed the panel descriptions are.
Should I number the balloons?
Yes. Numbering shows the letterer the reading order and makes notes easy. The numbers usually restart on each page.
What does OFF mean in a comic script?
The speaker is off panel: we hear them but can't see them, so the balloon's tail points to the edge of the panel.
Can I write a comic script in Google Docs or Word?
Yes. Plain documents work well. Use a fixed layout (bold page and panel headings, indented numbered balloons), or format it with the free script formatter and paste it in.
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