Core Exercises: Why Your Comic Needs To Do Them Before It Can Be Any Good
Dive into the heart of storytelling where a single, burning desire propels characters into a gauntlet of escalating trials. This powerful core can transform your narrative.
Core Exercises: Why Your Comic Needs One Before It Can Be Any Good
We are, my fellow comic book creators, an ambitious and proactive tribe—armed with the latest digital tools, myriad guides on "successful storytelling," and a burning desire to pen the next wildfire comic success. Yet, many creators struggle to find the core of their stories, even amidst this vast arsenal of resources and ambition. It's an elusive, singular, but critical foundation that, quite frankly, makes your story worth the paper it's printed on (or the screen it's displayed on, for you webtoon fanatics).
Unearthing the Core: Not Just for Archaeologists
So, what's at the heart of every story that's ever kept you up at night, turning page after page in trembling anticipation? A character's desire. One so compelling, so gut-wrenchingly urgent, that you can't help but root for them, even if they're a morally ambiguous, buck-toothed vigilante with a penchant for monologuing.
"A character wants something so badly, they attack a series of increasingly harrowing obstacles to either get it or die trying." That's it. Let's translate that into a question so you can answer it for that story you're working on.
What does your main character want so badly,
that they attack a series of increasingly perilous obstacles?
Do they get it? Or do they die trying?
(It can be a little death inside, but that's ok. You get to set the stakes; it's your game.)
That's your story in a nutshell. Revolutionary, isn't it? Joseph Campbell might be tossing and turning in his grave at the oversimplification, but let's face it—complexity is overrated. Or, at least, premature complexity is.
The Tragic Tale of the Hollow Spectacle
Picture this: a comic so visually stunning that each panel could be a poster on your wall. Yet, halfway through, you realize you've been lured in by a very long, gorgeous, but ultimately soulless art gallery. The story? Oh, it's there, buried under layers of intricate subplots, convoluted backstories, and a character roster rivaling a small country's population. Yeah, I'm talking to you, George.
But the core? Lost in the narrative folds, the hollow twists and turns. Maybe it was there and got buried? Perhaps it was never there? Regardless, it's unsatisfying for readers when it's missing. We don't care whose fault it is.
This, dear creators, is the narrative equivalent of building a mansion on quicksand. No matter how intricate the design or the breathtaking view, it's all going down if there's no foundation underneath. Snyder and Truby might nod in solemn agreement, shedding a single, dramatic tear for every story that's all flash and no substance.
A Lifeline for the Aspiring Comic Creator
Fear not, for all is not lost. Here's how to salvage your story from the depths of narrative purgatory:
The Great Distillation: Boil your story down to its essence. Can you describe it in a single sentence? If not, you've probably got distracted, or too much is going on. Remember, "Character wants X, but Y stands in their way" is a formula for a reason.
Build, Don't Bury: Once you've got your core, build on it. Layers of complexity are great, but only if rooted in your central conflict. Will this help or hinder my main character from getting what they want? Think of your story as a tree: without a strong trunk (your core), those branches (subplots and twists) will collapse under their own weight.
The Art of Balance: Yes, you're creating a comic, and yes, visuals are key. But if your artwork is writing checks, your story can't cash; you're just dressing up a narrative corpse. Let your visuals serve your core, not distract from its absence.
At The Center of a Good Story
At the end of the day, or the last pages of your comic, what resonates with readers is not how cleverly you can weave a plot or dazzle them with your artistry. It's about that fundamental human connection to a character's journey– their desire and their struggles. Without a solid core, your story is just a hollow shell, no matter how beautifully decorated.
So, before you lose yourself in the labyrinth of storytelling advice, remember: find your core and cling to it like a life raft in stormy seas. Then maybe your story won't sink into the forgotten depths of narrative mediocrity. And remember, this isn't just about comics—it's about stories, period. We're all just trying to spin a captivating yarn, right?
Now, go write, draw, and create— with laser focus, with a core so compelling, even the most jaded of readers won't be able to look away. You can build complexity overhead, but nail the foundation first.
Oh yeah, feel free to have fun along the way.
Charles Merritt Houghton
8 February 2024