comic book review template

Comics Worth Reading

Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books

How to Review Comics

Why review, writing a good review, risks of reviewing, benefits of reviewing.

To draw attention to good books — especially if they’re not as well-known as they should be — and to warn people away from bad ones. Although writing a bad review is easier than writing a good one, the best reviewers spend more time talking about good books than bad. It’s more productive in the long run, too.

To analyze the craft of creating a comic. To dissect how a good comic works or explain why a bad one doesn’t. To teach readers what lettering adds to a comic, or how panel layouts help or hinder the story, or any of a myriad other skills necessary to build a good comic book.

To Communicate

To start discussion or provide an alternative point of view. Beware, though, this may work against writing a good review, if the reviewer winds up discussing plot and characters too fannishly just to get responses. Also, reviewers shouldn’t cop an attitude just to get noticed. Attitude is cheap; content is rare.

To Develop Craft

To learn discipline and improve one’s writing and thinking.

To Get Free Stuff

If you’re good, and consistent, and build an audience, people may want to give you material in the hopes you will talk about it. However, it’s a mixed blessing: it’s great to get a chance to check out something you wouldn’t have bought for yourself, but review copies are a large responsibility, and the best material isn’t generally given away, so you’ll find a big range of quality in what you get (particularly if you’re starting out). For more on this topic, see How to Get Review Copies .

To Be Discovered

Please note that this is a bad idea, but some reviewers have this as a goal. Building a name for oneself cuts both ways; for everyone impressed by the comments (or opinions), there will be someone who takes it personally and holds a grudge. Plus, writing for comics is a different skill from writing about comics, so an aspiring creator had better be working on developing both abilities.

Comics journalism isn’t taken seriously in part because of this reason. It’s seen as a stepping stone instead of a craft in itself. Some professionals accuse critics of being jealous… and some critics are, but there are many more who aren’t. Many things are easier for competent writers to do instead of reviewing, and with most of them they’ll be better respected and maybe even paid. The medium needs intelligent criticism to continue growing and be taken more seriously.

What to Cover

Ideally, reviews should be written of complete stories, chunks that provide a satisfying experience to a reader. Possibilities include graphic novels, trade paperbacks, complete miniseries, single-issue stories, and complete story arcs within a continuing series.

Reviewers covering monthly comics piecemeal should avoid assuming everyone read the previous issue. Coming up with something new to say about chapter 3 of 6 after reviewing parts 1 and 2 is challenging, but it can be done. Also, a reviewer might be criticized for not waiting until the end of the story to criticize it (especially if the comments are negative). It’s perfectly valid to review anything that’s offered for sale to the public, but it’s hard to evaluate the overall story without an ending.

Reviews should express an opinion about a work and say something interesting and unique. Online reviews should not go on longer than the reader wants to scroll. Also, short paragraphs are better; densely packed text can look daunting and unreadable on a computer screen.

What to Write

Pick a format and style and use them consistently. Include all the relevant pieces of information (creators, dates, titles) to identify the work being reviewed. Here’s one example:

COMIC TITLE: Subtitle (or #Issue Number(s)) Creator Credits, as printed in the work, one per line US release date, if known, or cover date, or year of publication Publisher, format (page count, binding, color or black-and-white, whether digital), price

Tell readers something of what the comic is about, but keep it brief, and use spoilers as sparingly as possible. The plot of many standard-length comics can be summed up in a sentence or two. It may on occasion be impossible to discuss a story without revealing elements of it, but that should be a rare occurrence. Recommendations for or against a work should be based on the reviewer’s opinions and criteria, not the events of the story. A reader should be given enough information to determine whether or not she would find the comic interesting without her reading experience being ruined.

In the main body of the review, a reviewer should discuss what she liked and what she didn’t in regards to writing, art, plot, character representation, storytelling, and entertainment value. Comments should be balanced; there is always at least one thing in any comic that was well-done, and one thing that could be improved. Give examples. The reader should understand the basis for the reviewer’s opinions. I shouldn’t need to say this, but avoid personal remarks. Discuss the work, not the creator.

All comic reviews should contain art criticism; one doesn’t have to be an artist to describe what one sees and give opinions on it. Do items and characters look like what they’re supposed to be? Do the panels flow smoothly, supporting the story? Is the reader’s eye led in the right direction by the layout? Do the word balloons fit into the composition? Think about how the words and pictures work together to create the story. A reviewer who doesn’t cover both art and text is reviewing a plot, not a comic.

The tone should be informed and intelligent, but not superior. Readers may be ignorant of the work, but they aren’t stupid. Keep it friendly and entertaining. Readers are interested in the reviewer’s reactions and opinions, and some personal information may be necessary to understand the reviewer’s perspective (if she’s never read a comic in that genre before, for example, or if she previously worked with the writer), but reviews are not about name-dropping or unrelated life anecdotes.

Ratings are not mandatory. Some critics sum up their reviews with one, but other people find them unnecessarily simplistic. Regardless, they should match the comments given. The reader shouldn’t be left wondering why the rating is higher or lower than the rest of the review suggests. The scale should also be obvious and understandable, and the rankings should be consistent across reviews.

Try hard to get an overview of the entire medium. While it’s economically understandable that hobby reviewers can’t afford to spend that much money, reviewers who stick only with what they’ve already decided to buy are doing their readers (and themselves) a disservice. Be creative in finding ways to expand coverage. Many reviewers cut deals with their local shops to borrow comics in order to read more widely, for instance. Reviewers also owe it to their readers to be familiar with the best-known and -respected works of the medium (not just the superhero genre).

Given the bizarre nature of the comics industry, be sure to include information on how to obtain the book at the end of the review. If it’s a small press title, include the publisher contact address and/or website. If someone wants to read the reviewed book, let her know how. Also, be sure to state whether you received the comic for free for review.

Just because someone’s working in comics as a professional doesn’t mean they’ll have a professional attitude regarding criticism. People who should know better sometimes take comments purely about their work personally and respond on a personal level. No one’s handing out maturity with comic book work; sometimes a reviewer has to laugh and move on. In return, the critic’s behavior must be mature enough that people aren’t laughing at her, either.

There are also many people out there who identify too closely with the published work. With creators, at least it’s understandable; the fans, though, can be scary, especially the ones who take a negative comment on the latest superhero book as a personal attack. If fans become too pushy or threatening, take necessary precautions, such as using a post office box instead of a home address for review copy submissions.

Critics have to put up with being evaluated and reviewed themselves. No matter how bulletproof a review (in terms of pointing out flaws with copious examples; keeping the discussion about the work, not the creative team; and clarifying with terms like “in my opinion”), there will be immature people who will take a differing opinion as an excuse to question the critic’s intelligence, sex life, and general worth as a human being. Be prepared to ignore immature responses, no matter who they’re from.

On the other hand, don’t be one of those people who rank being right over being a decent human being. Keep the work in perspective. A bitter reviewer can be fun to read once or twice, but not long-term. People can be entertained by or find useful information from criticism even if they disagree.

Everyone has their own list, but mine includes the intellectual joy of figuring out why I liked or disliked something, and the pleasure of expressing it well. I’ve met a lot of interesting people through comic fandom, and this is my way of giving something back.

Even if you disagree with me, please think about the issues I’ve raised. You may come to different conclusions, but you ought to be able to answer these questions:

• What approach should reviewers take?
• What’s their perspective?
• What are their criteria for “good” and “bad”?
• Are they able to distinguish “good” from “what I like”?

Reviewing is an art, like any other form of writing. Support the good, avoid the bad, and keep encouraging improvement.

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25+ Book Review Templates and Ideas to Organize Your Thoughts

Danika Ellis

Danika spends most of her time talking about queer women books at the Lesbrary. Blog: The Lesbrary Twitter: @DanikaEllis

View All posts by Danika Ellis

When I was a kid I loved reading, but I hated book reports. It felt impossible to boil a book down to a few lines or even a page of writing. Besides, by the time I had to write the report, I had already forgotten a lot. It never ceases to be painful to try to pull my thoughts and opinions out of my head and put them on the page, especially in a coherent way.

As an adult, I continue to usually find writing book reviews painful . And yet, I maintain a book blog with reviews of all the (bi and lesbian) books I read. Why? For one thing, I want to raise the visibility of these books — or, in the case of a book I loathed, warn other readers of what to expect. It helps me to build community with other book lovers. It’s also a great way to force myself pay attention to how I’m feeling while I’m reading a book and what my thoughts are afterwards. I have learned to take notes as I go, so I have something to refer to by the time I write a review, and it has me notice what a book is doing well (and what it isn’t). The review at the end helps me to organize my thoughts. I also find that I remember more once I’ve written a review.

Once you’ve decided it’s worthwhile to write a review, though, how do you get started? It can be a daunting task. The good news is, book reviews can adapt to whatever you want them to be. A book review can be a tweet with a thumbs up or thumbs down emoji, maybe with a sentence or two of your thoughts; it can also be an in-depth essay on the themes of the book and its influence on literature. Most are going to fall somewhere between those two! Let go of the idea of trying to create the One True Book Review. Everyone is looking for something different, and there is space for GIF-filled squee fests about a book and thoughtful, meditative explorations of a work.

This post offers a variety of book reviews elements that you can mix and match to create a book review template that works for you. Before you get started, though, there are some questions worth addressing.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Book Review Template

Where will you be posting your book reviews.

An Instagram book review will likely look different from a blog book review. Consider which platform you will be using for your book review. You can adapt it for different platforms, or link to your original review, but it’s a good starting point. Instagram reviews tend to be a lot shorter than blog reviews, for instance.

Will you be using the same template every time?

Some book reviewers have a go-to book review template. Others have a different one for each genre, while another group doesn’t use a template at all and just reacts to whatever each book brings up.

Heading or no headings?

When choosing which book review elements to mix and match, you can also decide whether to include a header for each section (like Plot, Characterization, Writing, etc). Headers make reviews easier to browse, but they may not have the professional, essay-style look that you’re going for.

Why are you writing a review?

When selecting which elements to include in your review, consider what the purpose is. Do you want to better remember the plot by writing about it? You probably want to include a plot summary, then. Do you want to help readers decide whether they should read this book? A pros and cons list might be helpful. Are you trying to track something about your reading, like an attempt to read more books in translation or more books by authors of color? Are you trying to buy fewer books and read off your TBR shelf instead? These are all things you can note in a review, usually in a point-form basic information block at the beginning.

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Book Review Templates and Formats

Essay-style.

This is a multi-paragraph review, usually with no headers. It’s the same format most newspapers and academics use for book reviews. Many essay-style reviews use informal categories in their writing, often discussing setting, writing, characters, and plot in their own paragraphs. They usually also discuss the big themes/messages of a story. Here are some questions to consider when writing an essay-style review:

What is the author trying to do? Don’t evaluate a romance novel based on a mystery novel’s criteria. First try to think about what the book was attempting to do, then try to evaluate if they achieved it. You can still note if you didn’t like it, but it’s good to know what it was aiming for first.

What are some of the themes of the story? What big message should the reader take away? Did you agree with what the book seemed to be saying? Why or why not?

How is this story relevant to the world? What is it saying about the time it was written in? About human nature? About society or current issues? Depending on the book, there may be more or less to dig into here.

What did this book make you think about? It may be that the themes in the book were just a launching off point. How did they inspire your own thinking? How did this book change you?

A Classic Book Review

This is probably the most common kind of book review template. It uses a few criteria, usually including Setting, Writing, Characters, and Plot (for a novel). The review then goes into some detail about each element, describing what the book did well, and where it fell short.

The advantage of this format is that it’s very straightforward and applies to almost any fiction read. It can also be adapted–you will likely have more to say about the plot in a mystery/thriller than a character study of a novel. A drawback, though, is that it can feel limiting. You might have thoughts that don’t neatly fit into these categories, or you could feel like you don’t have enough to say about some of the categories.

Pros and Cons

A common format for a Goodreads review is some variation of pros and cons. This might be “What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like” or “Reasons to Bump This Up Your TBR/Reasons to Bump This Down On Your TBR.” This is a very flexible system that can accommodate anything from a few bullet points each to paragraphs each. It gives a good at-a-glance impression of your thoughts (more cons than pros is a pretty good indication you didn’t like it). It also is broad enough that almost all your thoughts can likely be organized into those headings.

This is also a format that is easily mix and matched with the elements listed below. A brief review might give the title, author, genre, some brief selling points of the novel, and then a pros and cons list. Some reviews also include a “verdict” at the end. An example of this format:

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

🌟 Fantasy All-Ages Comic 💫 Adorable pet dragons ✨ A diverse cast

Pros: This book has beautiful artwork. It is a soothing read, and all the character are supportive of each other. This is a story about friendship and kindness.

Cons: Don’t expect a fast-moving plot or a lot of conflict. This is a very gentle read.

Another approach to the review is not, strictly speaking, a book review template at all. Instead, it’s something like “5 Reasons to Read TITLE by Author” or “The # Most Shocking Plot Twists in X Series.” An advantage of this format is that it can be very to-the-point: if you want to convince people to read a book, it makes sense to just write a list of reasons they should read the book. It may also be more likely to get clicked on–traditional book reviews often get less views than more general posts.

On the other hand, listicles can come off as gimmicky or click-bait. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the book matches this format, and whether you are writing this out of genuine enthusiasm or are just trying to bend a review to be more clickable.

Your Own Original Rating System

Lots of reviewers decide to make their own review format based on what matters to them. This is often accompanied by a ratings system. For instance, the BookTube channel Book Roast uses the CAWPILE system:

CAWPILE is an acronym for the criteria she rates: Characters, Atmosphere, Writing, Plot, Intrigue, Logic, Enjoyment. Each of those are rated 1–10, and the average given is the overall rating. By making your own ratings/review system, you can prioritize what matters to you.

My favorite rating system is Njeri’s from Onyx Pages , because it shows exactly what she’s looking for from books, and it helps her to think about and speak about the things she values:

A “Live Tweet” or Chronological Review

Another format possibility is live tweeting (or updating as you go on Goodreads, or whatever your platform of choice is). This has you document your initial thoughts as you read, and it’s usually informal and often silly. You can add what you’re loving, what you’re hating, and what questions you have as you go.

This is a fun format for when you’re reading a popular book for the first time. That way, other people can cackle at how unprepared you are as you read it. This requires you to remember to always have your phone on you as you read, to get your authentic thoughts as they happen, but it saves on having to write a more in-depth review. Alternately, some people include both a “first impressions” section and a more in-depth analysis section in their final review.

Get Creative

There are plenty of book review templates to choose from and elements to mix-and-match, but you can also respond in a completely original way. You could create a work of art in response to the book! Here are some options:

• Writing a song , a short story, or a poem
• Writing a letter to the author or the main character (you don’t have to send it to the author!)
• Writing an “interview” of a character from the book, talk show style
• Making a visual response, like a collage or painting
• Making a book diorama, like your elementary school days!

Mix-and-Match Elements of a Book Review

Most book reviews are made up of a few different parts, which can be combined in lots of different ways. Here is a selection to choose from! These might also give you ideas for your own elements. Don’t take on too much, though! It can easily become an overwhelming amount of information for readers.

Information

Usually a book review starts with some basic information about the book. What you consider basic information, though, is up for interpretation! Consider what you and your audience will think is important. Here are some ideas:

• The title and author (pretty important)
• The book’s cover
• Format (audiobook, comic, poetry, etc)
• Genre (this can be broad, like SFF, or narrow, like Silkpunk or Dark Academia)
• Content warnings
• Source (where did you get the book? Was is borrowed from the library, bought, or were you sent an ARC?)
• Synopsis/plot summary (your own or the publisher’s)
• What kind of representation there is in the novel (including race, disability, LGBTQ characters, etc)
• Anything you’re tracking in your reading, including: authors of color, authors’ country, if a book is in translation, etc

Review Elements

Once you’ve established your basic information, you’re into the review itself! Some of these are small additions to a review, while others are a little more time-intensive.

Bullet point elements:

• Rating (star rating, thumbs up/down, recommend/wouldn’t recommend, or your own scale)
• Who would like it/Who wouldn’t like it
• Read-alikes (or movies and TV shows like the book)
• Describe the book using an emoji or emojis
• Describe the book using a gif or gifs
• Favorite line(s) from the book
• New vocabulary/the most beautiful words in the novel
• How it made you feel (in a sentence or two)
• One word or one sentence review
• Bullet points listing the selling points of a book
• BooksandLala’s Scary, Unsettling, and Intrigue ratings, for horror
• World-building, for fantasy and science fiction titles
• Art, for comics
• Narration, for audiobooks
• Romance, for…romance
• Heat level, for erotica

Visual elements:

• Design a graphic (usually incorporating the cover, your star rating, and some other basic info)
• Take a selfie of yourself holding the book, with your expression as the review
• Make a mood board
• Design your own book cover
• Make fan art

Elements to incorporate into a review:

• Quick/initial thoughts (often while reading or immediately after reading), then a more in-depth review (common on Goodreads)
• A list of facts about the book or a character from the book
• Book club questions about the book
• Spoiler/non-spoiler sections
• Research: look up interviews with the author and critique of the book, incorporate it (cited!) into your review
• Links to other resources, such as interviews or other reviews — especially #OwnVoices reviews
• A story of your own, whether it’s your experience reading the book, or something it reminded you of

This is not a complete list! There are so many ways to write a book review, and it should reflect your own relationship with books, as well as your audience. If you’re looking for more ways to keep track of your reading, you’ll also like 50+ Beautiful Bujo Spread Ideas to Track Your Reading .

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Blog – Posted on Thursday, Nov 11

The only book review templates you'll ever need.

Whether you’re trying to become a book reviewer , writing a book report for school, or analyzing a book, it’s nice to follow a book review template to make sure that your thoughts are clearly presented. 

A quality template provides guidance to keep your mind sharp and your thoughts organized so that you can write the best book review possible. On Reedsy Discovery , we read and share a lot of book reviews, which helps us develop quite a clear idea what makes up a good one. With that in mind, we’ve put together some trustworthy book review templates that you can download, along with a quick run-through of all the parts that make up an outstanding review — all in this post! 

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

Book review templates for every type of review

With the rapid growth of the book community on Instagram, Youtube, and even TikTok, the world of book commentary has evolved far beyond your classic review. There are now many ways you can structure a book review. Some popular formats include:

• Book reports — often done for school assignments; 
• Commentary articles — think in-depth reviews in magazines and newspapers; 
• Book blog reviews — short personal essays about the book; and
• Instagram reviews — one or two-paragraph reviews captioned under a nice photo. 

But while the text in all these review styles can be organized in different ways, there are certain boxes that all good book reviews tick. So, instead of giving you various templates to use for different occasions, we’ve condensed it down to just two book review templates (one for fiction and one for nonfiction) that can guide your thoughts and help you nail just about any review. 

⭐ Download our free fiction book review template  

⭐ Download our free nonfiction book review template  

All you need to do is answer the questions in the template regarding the book you’re reading and you’ve got the content of your review covered. Once that’s done, you can easily put this content into its appropriate format. 

Now, if you’re curious about what constitutes a good book review template, we’ll explain it in the following section! 

Elements of a book review template

Say you want to build your own book review template, or you want to customize our templates — here are the elements you’ll want to consider. 

We’ve divided our breakdown of the elements into two categories: the essentials and the fun additions that’ll add some color to your book reviews.

What are the three main parts of a book review?

We covered this in detail (with the help of some stellar examples) in our post on how to write a book review , but basically, these are the three crucial elements you should know: 

The summary covers the premise of the book and its main theme, so readers are able to understand what you’re referring to in the rest of your review. This means that, if a person hasn’t read the book, they can go through the summary to get a quick idea of what it’s about. (As such, there should be no spoilers!) 

The analysis is where, if it’s a fiction book, you talk more about the book, its plot, theme, and characters. If it’s nonfiction, you have to consider whether the book effectively achieves what it set out to do. 

The recommendation is where your personal opinion comes in the strongest, and you give a verdict as to who you think might enjoy this book. 

You can choose to be brief or detailed, depending on the kind of review you’re writing, but you should always aim to cover these three points. If you’re needing some inspiration, check out these 17 book review examples as seen in magazines, blogs, and review communities like Reedsy Discovery for a little variation. 

Which review community should you join?

Find out which review community is best for your style. Takes 30 seconds!

Which additional details can you include?

Once you’ve nailed down the basics, you can jazz things up a little and add some personal flavor to your book review by considering some of these elements:

• A star-rating (the default is five stars but you can create your own scales); 
• A bullet-point pros and cons list; 
• Your favorite quotation from the book; 
• Commentary on the format you read (i.e., ebook, print, or audiobook);
• Fun facts about the book or author; 
• Other titles you think are similar.

This is where you can really be creative and tailor your review to suit your purpose and audience. A formal review written for a magazine, for instance, will likely benefit from contextual information about the author and the book, along with some comment on how that might have affected the reading (or even writing) process.

Meanwhile, if you’re reviewing a book on social media, you might find bullet points more effective at capturing the fleeting attention of Internet users. You can also make videos, take creative pictures, or even add your own illustrations for more personal touches. The floor is yours at this point, so go ahead and take the spotlight! 

That said, we hope that our templates can provide you with a strong foundation for even your most adventurous reviews. And if you’re interested in writing editorial reviews for up-and-coming indie titles, register as a reviewer on Reedsy Discovery !

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Comics for Beginners

How to Write & Draw Comics

Free Tools For Comic Book Artists

Making comics is not just about learning how to draw, it’s about storytelling. this page is designed to make the process easier for you, by providing some free online tools for comic creators..

For your convenience, I’ve put the comics templates up in two formats: Letter and A4. Choose whatever your printer prefers!

Comic book templates

Unsure of the standard format for making comic book pages? Tired of measuring out borders and bleeds? With these comics templates, you no longer have to! Just right click and save to your computer, open in Photoshop, Manga Studios or Illustrator – or just print out and start drawing!

Check out the .jpg examples here. Below you can find the high quality .pdf files.

Below are PDF templates for both the US comics format and European graphic novel format. Take your pick!

• Free Comic Book Template US – Letter Format (PDF)
• Free Comic Book Template US – a4 Format (PDF)
• Free Comic Book Template EU – Letter Format (PDF)
• Free Comic Book Template EU – A4 Format (PDF)

Character Design Templates

A helpful tool when designing your comic book characters, is a style guide or design template.

I”ve put up a male and a female version, making it quick and easy for your to concentrate on the design rather than anatomy. Please note that people are not ALL the same size, so you may have to vary a bit in your rendering of the characters in your book.

Use the templates as a quick guide to design clothes, hairstyle etc. These templates are also available in both letter format and A4 format.

• Free Character Design Template – Female – Letter Format (PDF)
• Free Character Design Template – Female – A4 Format (PDF)
• Free Character Design Template – Male – Letter Format (PDF)
• Free Character Design Template – Male – A4 Format (PDF)

Other helpful resources and tools:

These are all personal recommendations!

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is a must, if you want to color your comics digitally. Monthly payment plan at adobe.com makes sure you always have the latest version.

Wacom Tablet

Invaluable for drawing or coloring on your computer.

Pentel Twist-Erase III Mechanical Pencil, 0.7mm

A nice, sturdy pencil with a good grip. The 0,7 lead tends to break less often than the more widely spread 0,5 version and makes for more versatile lines.

Winsor & Newton Brush

A nice all-round brush that stays in shape if you take care of it.

Canson Comic Book Art Boards

Canson is a good brand, their watercolor paper is good value for money too.

Sharpie Fine/Ultra Fine Twin Tip Marker

Water-resistant and smear-proof, these markers are a great all-round tool. Especially great for drawing on weather maps!

Staedtler Lumocolor AV Marker

If you want another kind of marker with a little variation to it, this is a good choice.

Uni Posca White Acrylic Marker

Excellent for small, quick corrections. Dries fast and covers most inks.

Want to know what tools I use personally? Watch this video!

One-sheets for freelance artists:.

As told in this article on Muddy Colors, artists Lauren Panepinto and Marc Sheff are putting together a book for freelance artists called Make Art Work, “a guide that gives artists the most specific information in the simplest language possible”. They held an Art Business Bootcamp at Spectrum Live and  some pretty valuable info came out of that, as these two one-sheets will tell.

“There’s not one absolute rule that works for everyone, but these one sheets present a good place to start, and a general consensus on a lot of the questions that we Art Directors hear repeated from con, to con, to panel, to email, etc.”

I agree completely! And hereby present you with the two PDF’s:

ONESHEET-BOOTCAMP1

ONESHEET-BOOTCAMP2

You can learn more about the book here and sign up to the newsletter at http://www.drawnanddrafted.com/  and stay in the loop about their upcoming Kickstarter campaign for the book.

Jason Thibault has collected a list of submission guidelines for a lot of US manga and comics publishers. Check it out here .

Books on making comics:

How to draw comics the marvel way.

A classic, if somewhat dated.

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud

Another classic. Very academic and not very practical, but great for inspiration.

Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud

Somewhat more accesible than “Understanding Comics” but still very high brow and very thorough.

Comic Book Design by Gary Spencer Millidge

A very visual tome with examples of comics storytelling and graphic design from a variety of artists.

Business of Comics: Everything a Comic Book Artist Needs to Make It in the Business…Plus Interview s with 40 Comic Book Professionals

A guide to the US comics industry with tips and insights from pros.

Working Methods: Comic Creators Detail Their Storytelling And Artistic Processes

An excellent insight to how different artists approach a script, their thought process and workflow.

Great books on writing:

Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

A simple, understandable book about story structure for any medium.

Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know by Jennifer van Sijll

An excellent resource for framing shots and visual storytelling, easily applied to comics.

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Stephen King’s classic book is half memoir, half hands-on writing tips. An excellent read and very inspirational.

Article on QualityComix with contributions from creators like Phillip Sevy, Ramon Gil, Clayton Barton and Palle Schmidt

SOLO – Survival Guide for Creative Freelancers

My own book on making a living as a creative freelancer – Available in Kindle , paperback and audiobook format.

Learn how to make comics from idea to finished story through the tutorial videos. Sign up here .

Inking samples courtesy of michael johnson curry ( mikejc.com ).

Click the image, download or print and try out your inking skills at home!

Tell me what more you need in the comments – and I’ll try to dish up even more tools for comic book artists!

Reader Interactions

August 7, 2013 at 8:27 am

Awesome. Just what I was looking for. Hope to see even more templates and goodies.

Thank you for sharing.

August 7, 2013 at 9:27 am

Thanks, Martin! Tell me what you need and I’ll see what I can do.

Glad these templates were helpful to you!

–Palle

September 10, 2013 at 12:57 am

Can you please make a video on youtube about how to draw comics because I finished my script but I’m having a lot of troubles with drawing

September 10, 2013 at 9:16 am

Hi Ryan! You bet I will be making more videos on drawing, but the scripting part is what most books on making comics tend to skip – and it is HUGELY important! The coming vids in the series will have a lot more on how to draw, but don’t expect to see them on YouTube. The plan is to turn this in to a sort of membership site, but for now sign up is free, so if you haven’t alreade, hurry up and join the newsletter and I will keep you posted on new vids etc.

Thanks again!

November 15, 2017 at 4:34 pm

Hi Palle, I was very impressed with your advice until I saw that you think Photoshop is the choice for pro comic book artwork. This is not the case, there many other alternatives, and some even better than photoshop. These include Clip Studio Paint, Corel Painter, etc. Adobe products are no longer the only game in town. Your information is not current.

Very disappointing

March 26, 2020 at 1:37 pm

He said Pro,, as in Marvel, DC, etc. These companies always use Photoshop. I’m pretty sure he has nothing against the competition though his knowledge of what “Pros” use is quite accurate.

September 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm

Palle, This is exactly what I need at this moment in time! Thanks for going through the effort to create such epic and useful information. I see myself coming back to this site often to glean more nuggets of comic book wisdom in the very near future.

November 8, 2013 at 3:30 pm

so I really like this website it has helped me out a lot but I was wondering if you had any tips or tricks on story boarding, i mean comics and storyboards are fairly close and one thing i am trying really hard to do is become a storyboard artist so any advice or ticks or even a place i could go with the information would be greatly appreciated

November 8, 2013 at 6:24 pm

James, you’re right that comics and storyboards have a lot in common. And you are probably also right to pursue a career in the latter, as it is a lot more lucrative!

Here’s the thing about storyboards: compared to comics, the level of detail is a lot lower, so it’s a lot faster to do. The trick is to provide a sketch of a character, rather than an actual person, and the same goes for almost everything. You also have the opportunity to use arrows etc. to help tell the story. The fixed format and lack of balloons is another difference.

All in all I will say that if you can become a good cartoonist, you can become a good storyboard artist. If you can draw in a semi-realistic, sketchy style and you are good to work with.

It’s hard to give a quick storyboarding course here, but I wish you all the best!

November 8, 2013 at 6:27 pm

@James: By the way, I wrote a post on freelancing that you might find helpful:

http://www.makingcomics.com/2012/03/12/ten-pieces-of-advice-for-freelancers/

November 10, 2013 at 8:30 pm

Awesome! This will all be a great help! Thanks for the link 🙂

November 12, 2013 at 3:14 pm

You’re welcome, Chloe, feel free to share!

November 14, 2013 at 3:22 am

Your website is really awesome! Really looking forward for more of your videos. Keep it up!

December 30, 2013 at 8:58 am

Hi, I liked the idea of having someone read your script to give feedback. I know absolutely no one that could help me with this. For a fee, can you look over a script and provide feedback? I think that would be useful. Thanks.

December 30, 2013 at 9:34 am

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Marcos, but at this point I can’t possibly take on any more work. I simply don’t have the time!

Hopefully you will find someone who can help you out. It doesn’t have to be a story expert, just someone articulate enough to ask the right questions. Best of luck!

February 2, 2014 at 10:57 pm

This is one of the most fantastic things I’ve ever seen. Why have I only just found out about it?

February 3, 2014 at 8:58 am

Ha ha, thanks Gareth! It’s a big internet out there and I’m basically a one-man show here. I don’t have the marketing budget of Warner or Nike. But word of mouth seems to be working too, so… Keep sharing!

Thanks again.

February 3, 2014 at 4:41 pm

Since you included a writing section, this isn’t out yet, but ComiXwriter was successfully funded and is a comic-book-specific script writing utility that should be of great help for producing properly formatted comic scripts. http://www.comixwriter.com/

February 3, 2014 at 4:45 pm

Thanks for sharing, Phil! I’ll check it out. So far I’ve been using Final Draft.

April 27, 2014 at 2:37 am

Big Fan of comic here. Just doing some research and adding some content to my site. This is a great resource to referred to for sure. Hope you don’t mind me sharing your site on my homepage at http://www.blackflak.com in the “Great Resources” section. Thank you for sharing these Palle.

Cheers, Drew

April 27, 2014 at 5:50 am

Sure, Drew, thanks! Be sure to check back often. Between this page, the blog, the podcast and the tutorial videos, I think you’re going to find a lot of value and link-worthy content.

Best, Palle

March 7, 2015 at 4:02 pm

I was just wondering if there’s any content still being added to this website in 2015.

Or if it’s just a resource that’s kinda completed and nothing needs to be added.

March 8, 2015 at 10:40 pm

Don’t worry, Rabbit, there’s more content on the way. Just been super busy is all 🙂

April 7, 2015 at 2:48 am

Palle, first off thank you so very much for doing all of this, I really mean it, thank you so much!

I’ve taken two of the Joe Kubert correspondence courses, the one on penciling and the other on Superheroes. While they were good and I did learn somethings, they didn’t go into enough detail for me. The one page assignment at the end of each section just wasn’t enough, at least for me. As an artist I wanted to know more about writing, especially from an artist point of view.

I think writing is different if you’re also the artist, and I haven’t seen much info on writing for the artist. So I’d like more info from that point of view if possible

I know your a busy man, but what’s really needed is a very comprehensive comics course, many people can’t afford to attend the actual schools that may teach sequential art, so a really good and in depth course would be a Godsend. I think cartoonist all over would jump on it!

I am participating in your 7 day course.

Once again, thank you so very much for doing this!

April 24, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Excellent!!! Just what Ive been looking for to help with my Comic projects. Keep up the good work. 🙂

June 7, 2015 at 1:01 am

This is a fantastic resource! Thank you so much for all the wonderful information and massive help. I always believe you can tell the truly talented people from the ones who still have a way to go by their level of sharing; there’s room for us all with all our ideas and creative angles. I’d like to help contribute to this site, and if I could submit anything you may find helpful, how would I submit possible additions for free use for anyone here? Any information and feedback would be much appreciated, and thank you again for this site.

June 8, 2015 at 11:02 am

Hi Ilya, thanks for the kind words – and for your kind offer! You can reach me through the contact page: https://comicsforbeginners.com/contact/ Look forward to hearing from you!

December 31, 2016 at 2:17 pm

Hey, I like your 7 days course, but I have one thing I miss. I wanna see you drawing! I want to know how you draw, could you do that more? I hope!

January 2, 2017 at 9:46 am

Hey Paul, If you scroll through the blog you’ll find a bunch of bonus vids that have drawing in them. And of course the premium vids. For me personally it doesn’t teach me much to look at a person drawing (and that is the point of this site) but I’ll definitely take your suggestion into account. Thanks!

March 10, 2017 at 5:03 am

Along with photoshop, You should suggest some free image editors.

pain.net http://www.getpaint.net

GIMP (graphic image manipulation program) https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

March 10, 2017 at 5:06 am

Opps paint.net (the link is correct)

April 8, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Dear Mr. Schmidt, What marker did you use for the panels in Stiletto? Sincerely, Ian

April 12, 2017 at 9:31 am

I think I used a Penol 777 marker. I tend to go for fatter borders than most comics. Anything waterproof that doesn’t bleed to much will do the trick. If you haven’t already, check out the resources section for more recommendations.

February 7, 2020 at 11:17 pm

So, I was looking for some templates and found this page. I tried to set up an account, and BOOM! I’m already a member. I can’t freakin’ believe I haven’t been hangin’ out in here more often. I got you on my favorites bar now, though. No more slippin’ the mind. 😉

You’ve got great stuff on here, and I appreciate your work. Thank you.

February 9, 2020 at 4:01 am

Ha! Welcome back, Tony. Glad u didn’t pay twice!

April 27, 2020 at 12:12 am

Highly recommended for beginners, everything is here! This sets the foundation and is easily understood with tons of resources. I have experience, but this helps fine tune my skills to become a better artist and it fills in the gaps with all the information you need to move forward. Thanks again

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Latest from the blog.

• Video: How to get Story Ideas
• Video: The Benefit of Being a Nobody
• Video: Why Creatives Hear Voices
• Digital Tools for 2021
• The Most Badass Tools for Inking Comics
• Why Creative Restrictions are Good for You!
• How to Write a Great Story – and Stick the Landing

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Activities, recipes, free printables and life with four kids

Free Printable Comic Book Templates!

Posted on June 23, 2015 69 Comments

My boys are all about the comic books at the moment.

I’m not even sure what started it, the big kids have been reading comics and graphic novels off and on for ages, and the little one loves them for all the cool pictures, but just recently the boys started making their own, and so I made them some printable comic book templates to help them along.

I don’t know what started their new found love of creating comics, but you can bet I am going to encourage it!

Comics are such a great way to encourage reading, writing and storytelling, and to work on all the skills needed to be a successful reader and writer. Plus they are loads of fun!

Today I was writing dictated captions to an angry bird comic strip written by Noah (aged four) before I had even had breakfast!

Making comics is perfect for a pre-writer like Noah as he can tell his story in pictures, making him feel confident and capable. He can easily dictate captions for me to write for him, as he learns that words have power and meaning. And he can create images to go along with those words.

Comics are also great for reluctant writers like my seven year old. He can get his story going with pictures before he writes even a single word which helps him sort out how the story will work, and clearly see that it needs a beginning, a middle, and an end. And because there is not much space for words he only needs to write short sentences and one word exclamations, not at all daunting for someone who says he ‘hates writing’.

Free Printable Comic Book Templates

Of course if you are keen on making comic books, you need some printable comic book templates.

I’ve made two sets of comic book templates to share.

The first set has bigger and fewer spaces – good for smaller kids or artists who want to ad LOTS of details. This set has two pages with added speech bubbles and exclamations and two pages which just the spaces.

You can download the larger set of printable comic book templates here .

The second set has smaller and more spaces – good for older kids and those that like to write lots of scenes into their stories. This set has two pages with added speech bubbles and exclamations and two pages which just the spaces.

You can download the smaller set of printable comic book templates here .

We also made some extra pages with more speech bubbles, thought bubbles, exclamations and arrows. One page in black and white, the other with a few coloured pieces. You should have enough pieces to write even the most detailed comic!

You can download the set of comic book extras here .

All the printables shared in this post are A4 sized pdf files, if you are printing on US ‘letter sized’ paper be sure to select ‘fit’ or ‘shrink to fit’ from your printer options. The free printables at picklebums.com are for personal use only, you may not sell, share, or link directly to these files.

I hope this will start a fun comic craze in your house too!

Are you kids into comics? What are some of their favourites?

I use a regular family inkjet printer to print the comic book pages. I print onto A4 copy paper, but you can use US ‘Letter’ sized paper, just make sure to select ‘shrink to fit’ from your printer options before you print. We used water based markers to add the details, but you could also print and laminate the pages so they can be used with a dry erase marker over and over.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

Thank you so much for sharing these templates. My girl is so happy with them.

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Best comic creator software 2022: Create comics and manga

Mad about Marvel or nuts about Naruto? The best comic creator software will help you to make your own super stories

We’ve all had ideas that we think would translate into comic books, but it’s a tricky discipline, combining several different art forms into one. That’s where the best comic creator software comes in, transforming your ideas and artworks into the kind of layouts that leap off the screen and demand to be read.

We can’t guarantee you’ll become the next Bob Kane or Bill Finger, but we can help you create professional looking strips by using the right software. The best programs come with feature that help create storyboards, narratives and ideas, as well as helping to publish your creations.

We’ve broken the list into a number of categories, including the best options for professional creators, the best for making Manga-style strips, and the best for those who want to include photos in their work. There's a top choice for kids just getting into the world of comics, and our overall favorite: Clip Studio Pro.

Clip Studio Pro may not be geared toward publishing your work  - not unless you upgrade to Clip Studio Paint EX anyway - its tool selection is comprehensive and its price is low. Being affordable is something of a theme in our choices - some of the apps we highlight even offer a free trial, allowing you to try out their features without having to make a financial commitment. You can also work out if your home computer actually runs it effectively!

We don’t just look at comics software on the site, of course. There's also our banking of the best graphic design software , and we tackle animation applications too. There's something for everyone looking to make their artwork come alive.

1. Clip Studio Paint Pro: Best comic creator software overall

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Clip Studio Paint Pro

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Clip Studio Paint Pro is the best overall comic maker software for most users. While it isn't quite as powerful as Clip Studio Paint EX - which we've listed below - it offers most of the same features, and covers almost everything a comic creator could possibly need. It has a staggering range of illustration and brush tools to help you draw characters, backgrounds, and comic cel types from scratch. If you don't want to spend time making absolutely everything, you can either choose from Clip Studio's vast library of free and premium pre-made assets, or you can import art from your computer. 

Most graphic artists will be familiar with the Adobe suite of tools, and Clip Studio is very similar in design and layout. Many of the hotkeys are the same too. If you're completely new to the software it will take a few hours to learn (there are plenty of official and unofficial tutorials online to get you started), but after that you'll have the resources to create almost any type of art or comic. It works well with drawing tablets and gloves, and is incredibly accurate and responsive no matter what input you illustrate with.

The only downside is that it lacks publishing tools, and doesn't have the same capacity as the EX version to help you organize your pages for larger comic projects. If you're serious about publishing your own comics, you'll need to upgrade to the EX version, which is much more expensive. However, if this is the start of your comic hobby / career, Clip Studio Paint Pro is only $60 and will serve you extremely well.

• Read our Clip Studio Paint Pro review

2. Clip Studio Paint EX: Best for pro comic makers

Clip Studio Paint EX

Clip Studio Paint EX is the upgraded and enhanced version of our top pick (Pro). The tools are largely the same, and this comic maker software borrows heavily from the likes of PhotoShop in terms of tools and layout. Despite being incredibly powerful and versatile, Paint EX is relatively simple to use, and you can create illustrations quickly using the responsive brush and color tools. If the presets don't work for you, there's the option to create or import your own.

What sets EX apart from the Pro version is the range of comic publishing tools it has, and the built-in page manager that lets you sort comic pages, number them, and import 100s of pages of text. These features are fantastic if you're looking to publish, but unnecessary if you're only crafting smaller comics for yourself or your friends. If you're an amateur looking to get more involved, we suggest buying the Pro version and upgrading to EX once you're ready, as all your creations and files will be compatible across both versions. This is also why we put Pro at the top spot, and not EX.

Clip Studio Paint EX is fully compatible with drawing tablets and gloves, and the accuracy you get is fantastic. It's available on Mac and PC, and you can use it to import and export files of all major image types. It's a powerful piece of software, and you'll need a decent PC or Mac to run it, but there's no better comic maker out there. Expensive, though, so you need to be serious about comics before you buy.

• Read our Clip Studio Paint EX review

3. Comic Creator Studio: Best for kids

Comic Creator Studio

If you're looking to get your kids or grandchildren started in comics, Comic Creator Studio is a good option. It mostly uses pre-made characters and backgrounds, so you don't need to worry about making your own assets. This also makes it really easy to use, and kids will have fun dragging and dropping art into all the pre-designed backdrops. Adjusting text and thought bubbles is easy, as is dropping words into them.

There are more than 600 props to use in your creations, and a vast number of backgrounds to set the scene. You can buy expansion packs too, like superheroes, to give more variety to comics. It doesn't quite have the same variety as ComiPo!, which lets you design poses with incredible detail, but it does keep things nice and simple. You can even upload photos, so your kids can put themselves into the comic. While the creation tools are simple, you can adjust layers individually, offering deep levels of control over your creation.

Advanced users should stay away - there are so few drawing options, and the simple style of the comics won't be for everyone. Younger users and families, however, will love this.

• Read our Comic Creator Studio review

4. Manga Maker ComiPo!: Best for simple manga comics

Manga Maker ComiPo!

If you love manga, but you don't feel you have the skill to draw all the wide-eyed characters and backgrounds yourself, then Manga Maker ComiPo! is perfect for you. It deals mainly with pre-made character models and scenes (although you can import your own if you feel up to it), allowing you to simply drop characters into cels, manipulate their pose using the software's impressive 3D models, and add text. It's a simple and effective way to create manga.

ComiPo! is cheap and easy to use, but it does often feel a little limited. And if you don't like manga, well, why are you even reading this far? You don't get a vast amount of scenes and characters in the base version of this software, and it's only compatible with PC, so Mac users are excluded. Because there are no real drawing tools, it's tough to create much variety or unique feels for your comics.

We do like the fact that comics are layered, so you can make changes to specific elements without resetting the whole cel, and there are even sound effects to help enhance your creations. It's perfect for newbies and youngsters, but more serious artists will find it restrictive.

• Read our Manga Maker ComiPo! review

5. Comic Draw: Perfect for iPad users

Comic Draw is an easy-to-use comic making app that is exclusively for the iPad. The 14-day free trial gives you a chance to try the comic creator app and all its tools, and the base program is less than $10 if you decide to purchase it. That's great value. Comic Draw is perfect for beginning artists and professionals alike. You'll appreciate being able to find brushes, ink colors and other tools easily, and if you're using a digital pen (which you really should be) you can create illustrations on a par with most home computer programs. It also includes many advanced tools such as perspective guides to help you accurately draw landscapes and buildings. Comic Draw doesn’t include a library of pre-drawn panel templates, characters, props or backgrounds. This means it is designed for the comic book artist who loves to draw scenes, opposed to the storytellers who love to create plots. We also like the script maker, which helps you create and format your dialogue. The downside is that it's only available on Apple iPads, and you do need a 64-bit+ model to run it. We recommend the iPad Pro. You'll also really need a digital pen to make the most of it, especially as you can accidentally add marks when you're using fingers to zoom and rotate.

• Read our Comic Draw review

6. Comic Life 3: Use photos in your comics

Comic Life 3

Comic Life 3 is a little different to other comic creators on this list. You can make comics here by importing images and photos, which are then treated with a stylized filter to make them look and feel like comics. This is a really neat way to show off your narrative skills, even if you don't have any aptitude for drawing and illustrating.

You can add a variety of speech bubbles to create dialogue, and there are plenty of pre-made background to choose from to add variety to your scenarios. Comic Life 3 draws on the fonts already available on your computer, and it has a built-in spell checker, which is a rarity among comic makers. You can even set sound effects to play when you're both reading your comic and creating it, which will delight younger creatives.

The downside is that there are no layer options, and you don't have a choice when it comes to adding a comic filter to anything you upload. So if you want to add something that's already comic styled, it will still get an extra comic filter added to it. Shame. It's a simple program to use, relatively cheap, and it gets great results - especially for those who don't have the art skills to create their own comics from scratch.

• Read our Comic Life 3 review

7. Pixton: A simple maker for younger kids

If you're looking for something truly simple then Pixton is ideal. It's perfect for kids, family, and educational use, and you can get various versions of Pixton based on what you'll primarily be using it for. You get a free trial too, so you can play around with the basic version before you commit to buying. 

Pixton uses all pre-made assets, and there are plenty available, although you are restricted to quite young-looking comics here. Ideal for the target audience. You can customize pre-made characters to a surprising extent, and you can move them about to create poses, shifting legs, arms, heads etc to make dynamic scenes. Fonts come with the software too, so you don't need to import them from your computer.

Pixton is browser-based too, so requires no download, which means you don't need a fancy PC or Mac to run it. It's very basic, and perfect for younger audiences, but its lack of creation tools, layers, and import options will leave more experienced users cold.

• Read our Pixton review

How we tested the best comic creator software 

We spent some time on each of the platforms, testing out the range of tools and features available. When compiling this ranking, we also took into account things like price, ease of use, and availability across digital platforms. Although we really rate Clip Studio Paint Pro and Clip Studio Paint Ex, we think that some of the more straightforward options are definitely worth investigating if it’s your first time turning your hand to comics.  

How much should you pay for comic creator software?

The price of comic book software varies depending on the type of tools, the amount of tools the creator has and the features you want. Your skill level is an important factor to consider when purchasing a comic maker, as the more expensive programs are designed for high skill levels and maybe daunting for a novice. Another important consideration is how far you want to progress as a comic book artist - as the more complex programs will let you grow without limits. We found there are plenty of comic book makers for beginners that cost anywhere from less than $10 all the way up to $50, while professional programs can cost up to $400. If you are shopping for comic book software for a child, we recommend starting with a cheaper program, so they can try out comic book creation before you dig deep into your wallet. If you want professional software to grow into, we recommend Clip Studio Paint. It comes in two versions, with Pro costing around $50 and EX costing from $90 to $150 – depending on the deal you can find.

What drawing tools are often included in comic makers? 

The most important illustration tools are the brushes that come with a comic book program. This includes mediums like markers, pens, and pencils. The best comic creators also allow you to create your own brushes so you can achieve your desired effects. The best comic book software allows you to import outside sources so you can use sketches, characters, and backgrounds that you have created in other programs or scanned. If you aren’t much of an artist or you want to save some time, look for software that comes with vast character libraries, making it easier for you to jump into creating comics.

Do comic makers include spell checkers?

Most comic book makers allow you to add text to your comics. A few of them provide additional tools like font choices or word balloons to enhance your scenes. If you’ve already written your dialogue in another document, it is nice having a program that can import text. Spelling errors and poor word choice can seriously detract from your narrative, which is why it is best to choose a program that comes with a spell checker and a dictionary. Unfortunately, only a few programs offer this last feature. We recommend using a word processor program to write and spell check your dialogue, then copy and paste the text into your comic.

Do comic creators have digital painting tools?

Creating comics digitally is more convenient than traditional methods, especially when you factor in the ability to work in layers and compatibility with graphics tablets. Layers allow you to view, select and enhance specific parts of your art so it is easier to edit. If you are planning to create your own characters from scratch, choose programs that work with graphics tablets – they make it easier to create backgrounds and characters. Pre-made page templates and special effects can inspire story ideas, as well as help you frame your scenes quickly.

The best programs allow you to work with many file types, as well as export your creations to a variety of image file types. The more options you have, the more you can do with your artwork. The most common image file types include JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TGA, PICT and PDF.

Do you need an asset library?

Most comic book software comes with deep library of artwork and templates that can help you create a comic book quickly. This is an important aspect to consider, especially if you are looking for a comic book maker for beginners. These programs let you focus on crafting the story, and are great for writers who are still developing their art skills. 

Alternatives for comic creation 

Plenty of traditional drawing and graphics software can also be used to make comics. While these don’t provide all the shortcuts, tools and features of the above programs, they can still be useful resources.

Krita This open-source painting program has plenty of pre-set brushes and works like a dream with a smart pen. It doesn’t come with a dedicated comic layout, but members of the community have created specific canvases for that traditional format. This means you can use it to sketch out your own characters and storyline, but there aren’t any premade backgrounds or images readily available.

Photoshop CC Photoshop certainly wasn’t designed with comic creation in mind, but it can be used for this all the same. Like Comic Life 3, you can upload real life photos to this then overlay a special filter effect to make it look like a comic. You can also divide the page into panels to create a comic-like effect and the abundance of tools means you have a lot of control over your work.

Canva If you have a simple message you want to convey, then Canva will probably be suitable. It has a very limited number of designs, with pre-drawn characters filling out the panels. You can change the text in these, to convey different messages, but you get minimal control and input beyond this.

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Andy was the previous Editor-in-Chief of Top Ten Reviews. With over 18 years experience in both online and print journalism, Andy has worked for a host of world-leading tech and gaming brands, including PC Gamer and GamesRadar. He specializes in photography, technology and smart home, and has provided expert comment for sites like The Guardian. In his spare time Andy is an amateur photographer, and teaches at the National Film and TV School.

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How to Write a Great Book Review: 6 Templates and Ideas

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Whether you’ve loved or hated your recent reads, writing book reviews can be a fun and satisfying process. It’s a great way to unpack messages and information from a story, and it also helps you remember key elements of a book for much longer than you usually would. Plus, book reviews open up some interesting and exciting debates between readers with different opinions, and they also help others decide which books to read next .

Table of Contents

Where Can You Post Book Reviews?

Back in the old days, book reviews were reserved for leading publications and journals, but now, anyone can create their own book reviews, and they’re popping up almost everywhere.

Social Media

Bookworms have taken over social media, with hashtags like # bookstagram drawing in millions of readers from around the internet to share thoughts, ideas, inspiration, and of course, reviews.

Book blogs are also blowing up right now, and plenty of avid readers are making a solid income by writing and sharing their book reviews this way. You can either create your own from scratch or write guest posts and reviews for already established blogs.

Goodreads is the undisputed online home of books. It’s a great place to find inspiration for your next reads, browse other people’s book reviews, and of course, add your own reviews, too.

If you post a review of a popular book on Goodreads, it’s bound to be seen by a huge audience. Plus, it’s a great way to advertise your blog if you have one, as the Goodreads guidelines allow you to insert a link within the body of your review.

The world’s largest bookstore gets an incredible amount of traffic, so it’s one of the best places to get your reviews seen by the masses. But bear in mind that there are more rules and regulations for Amazon book reviews than on some of the other platforms listed here. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the guidelines first, or your submission could be rejected.

Booktube is a Youtube community dedicated to reviewing, discussing, and recommending books. If you’re comfortable in front of a camera, vlogging your book reviews on Booktube is an excellent alternative to the more traditional written book reviews above. It’s also a great way to get noticed by viewers around the world.

Some Booktube reviewers make their entire income from their channel, so if you’re passionate about reviewing and want to turn it into a living, this is a great avenue to explore.

Get Paid for Your Book Reviews

Some of the platforms I’ve listed above, like Booktube, Instagram, and blogging , allow you to get paid for your book reviews if you generate enough traffic, but getting to that level takes a lot of dedication, time, and patience.

Thankfully, there are plenty of websites that pay reviewers on a freelance basis. Here are three of the most popular:

Remember, each site has strict submission guidelines and requirements that you’ll need to check carefully before writing and submitting a review.

Kirkus Reviews

The Kirkus Reviews magazine, founded in 1933, is one of America’s oldest, most respected book reviewing companies.

They accept reviews around 350 words in length, and once you’re assigned the gig, you have a two-week submission deadline.

Kirkus is always on the lookout for new book reviewers, but you’ll need to prove you have experience and talent before they’ll accept your submissions. The best way to do this is to create a professional-looking portfolio that showcases your previous reviews, both paid and unpaid.

Booklist is a subgroup of the American Library Association. They feature all kinds of book reviews, both fiction and non-fiction, and publish them online and in print.

They pay their reviewers on a freelance, book-by-book basis. Their rates aren’t going to make you rich (around $12- $15 per review), but it’s a great way to gain some professional experience and build your book review portfolio without having to work for free.

Booklist has various publication outlets, such as their quarterly in-print magazine, a reader’s blog, and top book lists. Plus, they also accept pitches for book-related news and author interviews.

Online Book Club

This free-to-access community of bibliophiles has been going for over ten years, with a million active members and counting.

To join their professional freelance team, you’ll first have to submit an unpaid review to help them to determine if you’re worth hiring. If your review makes the cut, then your next submission is paid at a rate varying between $5 and $60, depending on the book’s length, the quality of the review, etc.

One of the major stipulations of Online Book Club is that your reviews are in-depth and honest. If you don’t like the book, never put a positive spin on it for the sake of it. ( The same goes for any book review platform you post on. )

It’s also worth noting that with Online Book Club, you’ll never pay for the books you review. So even if they reject your submission, you’ll still get a free book out of it.

How to Write a Book Review?

Book reviews can range from a simple tweet to a full-length essay or long-form blog post and anything in between.

As I mentioned above, some book review sites and platforms have strict guidelines and parameters to follow. But if you’re writing a book review for social media, your own blog, or any other purpose that lets you take the reins, then the following ideas will give you some help and inspiration to get started.

But before we dive in, let’s take a look at four key elements that a comprehensive book review should contain.

1. Information about the author and the name of the book

You might want to include any accolades that the author has received in the past and mention some of their previous notable works.

Also, consider the publication date; is the book a brand-new release, a few years old, or a classic from another century?

2. A summary of the plot

Writing about the plot takes skill and consideration; if your description is too thorough, you risk ruining the book for your audience with spoilers. But on the other hand, if you’re too vague on the details, your review can lack depth.

Consider your audience carefully, and if you feel like your book review contains even the slightest hint of spoilers, always add a warning at the beginning so people can decide for themselves whether to read on.

3. Your evaluation

This is the part where you get to describe what you feel about the book as a whole and give your opinion on the different elements within it. But, again, don’t be tempted to fall into the trap of positively evaluating books you didn’t actually like; no one wants to read a false review, so if you didn’t like it, explain why.

4. Your reader recommendation

Who might the book appeal to? Is it suitable for all audiences? In your opinion, is it a universal must-read, or should people avoid it?

Keep in mind that the purpose of most book reviews is to help the reader decide whether or not they would like to read it themselves. What works for you might not work for others, so consider this when writing your recommendations.

6 Book Review Templates and Ideas

1. the traditional approach.

Most traditional fiction reviews, like the ones found in newspapers and other popular publications, are based on the following format…

Introduction

The introduction is a paragraph or two which includes:

• Key information that the reader needs to know. For example, the book’s title, the author’s name, the publication date, and any relevant background information about the author and their work.
• A brief one-sentence summary of the plot. This sets the general scene of what the book is about.
• Your overall opinion of the book. Again, keep it brief. (you can delve deeper into what you liked and disliked later in the review).

This is the main body of your book review, where you break down and analyze the work. Some of the key elements you might want to examine are listed below. Approach each element one at a time to help your analysis flow.

• The characters
• The setting
• The structure of the story
• The quality of the writing

What did you notice about each one, what did you enjoy, and what did you dislike? Why?

The conclusion is usually the shortest part of a traditional book review, which usually contains:

• A summary of your thoughts about the book as a whole
• Your reader recommendation

Remember that unless you’re writing a book review for a pre-existing publication, there are no rules that you need to follow. This traditional format can be adapted to suit your own style, the book you are reviewing, and your audience.

Also Read : BEST FICTION BOOK REVIEWS

2. Social Media Book Reviews

Book reviews posted on social media tend to have a more relaxed tone than a traditional book review. Again, there are no set rules, but here are a few guidelines and suggestions for posting reviews on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

• Include an eye-catching image

This is essential on Instagram, but whatever social media platform you’re posting on, including a great photo will draw people in to read your review.

In the Instagram world, photos of books taken directly from above are called ‘flat lays.’ You can keep it simple and just snap the front cover, or you can get creative and shoot your book flat lay against an interesting backdrop or include items related to the story.

• Break up your review into short, bite-sized paragraphs

This rule applies to most web content, but it’s even more important on social media, where everyone competes for your reader’s attention.

Big blocks of text are much harder to follow and a sure-fire way to lose your reader’s attention before they even get started. Instead, stick to short paragraphs of one, two, or three sentences, and include spaces between each one.

• Know your character limit

At just 280 characters, Twitter is by far the stingiest of the major social media platforms when it comes to the length of posts. That’s why most people choose platforms like Instagram or Facebook for book reviews. That being said, you can still use Twitter as a way of linking to them once they go live.

Instagram is considerably more generous with its 2,200-character limit, but if you have a lot to say about the book you’re reviewing, it can still be limiting.

If you want to post a more comprehensive review on social media, Facebook is your best bet; they have an upper limit of 63,206 characters.

Whichever platform you post on, remember to factor any hashtags into your character limit too.

• Keep it succinct

Book reviews on social media perform better when sentences are concise. This helps to combat the character limit issue I mentioned above and gets your point across quickly, without the fluff.

Readers on platforms like Instagram and Facebook flit from post to post, so if you don’t say what you mean in as few words as possible, you’ll risk losing your audience altogether.

• Don’t be afraid of emojis.

Love them or hate them, emojis convey mood and emotion where words can sometimes fail us. They also add an extra visual element to a post, help to break up blocks of text and keep the tone informal.

Of course, there’s no rule that you have to include emojis in your social media book reviews, but if you’re already comfortable using them elsewhere, consider incorporating them here too.

• Add a star rating

Star ratings instantly tell your audience whether you loved the book or not before they read a single word of your post. It’s also another visual element to help draw your audience in to find out more.

• Avoid spoilers

I’ve already touched on spoilers above, but it’s essential to avoid them on social media book reviews. That’s because unsuspecting users are scrolling from post to post on these platforms with no way of knowing what’s coming next. As a result, it’s very easy to read something you can’t unread.

• Consider tagging the author and publisher.

But ONLY do this if you enjoyed the book and your review is favorable. It’s not good online etiquette to tag in the creators if you’re posting a scathing critique; it’s mean-spirited, and it could lead to a social media squabble, which the internet has enough of already.

3. Goodreads and Amazon Book Reviews

Both Goodreads and Amazon allow anyone to upload a review of any book, so they’re great places to get started if you’re new to the reviewing world. Plus, you can post more in-depth and lengthy reviews than you can on social media platforms.

There are endless ways to write reviews for sites like these, but if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration, here’s a good template that will help you to flesh out your ideas.

• Star Rating

Sites like Goodreads and Amazon usually ask for a 1-5 star rating before writing your review. 3 is your baseline which translates to “pretty good.” It can be tempting to rush straight in for a 5 star if you loved a book, but where possible, try to reserve this rating for books that really blow you away.

• A Brief Synopsis

Reviews on these sites appear directly under the book listing, so generally, there’s no need to mention the author, title, or publishing details. Instead, you can dive straight into a quick overview of the plot, using the official publisher’s summary to help you if needed.

Avoid revealing any significant details or spoilers, but include enough to outline the story and give context to the rest of your review.

Talking about how the book made you feel is a good place to start. Did you learn something you didn’t know before? Was it a page-turner or a hard slog? Were there any twists you did or didn’t see coming? Mentioning the existence of a plot twist is usually deemed ok, as long as you don’t reveal what it is.

Next, examine the book’s various elements, including the characters, setting, and plot, using examples. You might even want to include some direct quotes from the book, as long as they don’t give too much away.

Just like the traditional book review format, conclude it with a summary. Are you glad you read it? Who might enjoy this book, and who should avoid it?

4. Listicle Book Reviews

Listicles are articles and blog posts structured like a numbered list. An example from the book review world is “10 reasons why you need to read X by X”.

These types of reviews are particularly well suited to blog posts, as they’re an excellent way to encourage people to click on your link compared with a less attention-grabbing traditional format.

That being said, listicle book reviews tend only to work if your feedback is positive. Using this format to review a book you hated risks alienating your audience and coming across as harsh and judgemental. Less favorable reviews are better presented in a more traditional format that explores a book’s different aspects one by one.

5. An Essay Style Analysis

An essay-style review isn’t technically a review, as it delves much deeper into the work and examines it from multiple angles.

If you’re not limited to a word count and want to dissect an author’s work, then an in-depth essay-style analysis can be a great addition to your blog. Plus, they’re generally written for people who have already read the book, so there’s no need to worry about spoilers.

But when you’re writing more than 500 words about a book, it can be easy to ramble or go off on a tangent. Here’s an example format to keep you on track:

• Include the author’s name, the title of the book, and the date of publication.
• Is the book a standalone novel or part of a series?
• What made you choose this book in the first place? Have you read any of the author’s previous work?
• Describe the cover. Does it draw you in? Is it an appropriate representation of the book as a whole?

Set the Scene

• Include an overview of the plot.
• Did you have any expectations or preconceived ideas about the book before you read it?

Your Review

Discuss the following elements one at a time. Use quotes or direct examples when talking about each one.

• Describe the geographical location, the period in time, and the environment.
• Is the setting based on reality or imagination?
• How does the setting help to add mood and tone to the story?
• Give an overview of the main characters and their backgrounds.
• Discuss the significant plot points in the story in chronological order.
• What are the conflicts, the climaxes, and the resolutions?
• How does the author use literary devices to bring meaning and life to book?
• For example, discuss any elements of foreshadowing, metaphors, symbolism, irony, or imagery.
• What are the overall themes and big ideas in the story? For example, love, death, friendship , war, and coming of age.
• What, if any, are the morals within the story?
• Are there any underlying or less prominent themes that the author is trying to portray?

Your Opinion

• Which elements were successful, and which weren’t?
• Were the characters believable? Did you want them to succeed?
• In the case of plot twists, did you see them coming?
• Are there any memorable scenes or quotes that particularly stood out to you? If so, why?
• How did the book make you feel? Did it evoke any strong emotions?
• Did the book meet your preconceived expectations?
• Were you satisfied by the ending, or did you find it frustrating?
• Summarise the plot and theme in a couple of sentences.
• Give your overall opinion. Was the book a success, a failure, or something in between?
• Include a reader recommendation, for example, “this book is a must-read for anyone with a love of dystopian science fiction.”
• Include a star rating if you wish.

6. Create Your Own Book Review Template

If you plan on becoming a regular book reviewer, it’s a good idea to create your own unique template that you can use for every book you review, whether you’re posting on a blog, website, or social media account.

You can mix and match the various elements of the review styles above to suit your preferences and the types of books you’ll be reviewing.

Creating a template unique to you helps build your authority as an independent reviewer and makes writing future reviews a lot easier.

Writing book reviews is a great way to get even more out of your reading journey. Whether you loved or hated a title, reviewing it will help you remember and process the story, and you’ll also be helping others to decide whether or not it’s worth their time, too.

And who knows, you might fall in love with writing book reviews and decide to pursue it as an additional source of income or even a new career!

Whatever your book reviewing plans and goals are, I hope the templates, tips, and ideas above will help you get started.

Do you have any advice for writing a great book review? Let me know in the comments below!

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Other Free Design Resources

100+ free comic strip templates for your visual stories, by sandra boicheva.

3 years ago

You may also like Show related articles Hide

Comic strips are sequences of drawings in interrelated panels that tell a story. A comic strip page usually features a couple of panels with images, narrated with text in balloons of captions. In this article, I have gathered 100 free comic strip templates from 16 different sources from around the web. 

These free resources will help designers, artists, teachers, and students craft their amazing visual stories faster. 

Comic by Victoria Zayakina

“I believe comic books and superheroes affect our culture so much because they serve to remind us of this powerful and deeply ingrained fact: we matter.” ― Sebastien Richard, Lead Like a Superhero

10 Free Comic Strips for Creative Assignments

Tracee Orman made these 10 free templates for creative assignments, especially for students. 

• Files: PDF, 10 ready-to-print comic strips
• License: For Personal Use

200+ Free Comic Strip Templates

Cartoons.co exclusively offers a diverse collection of over 200 unique comic strip templates, showcasing various styles and panel arrangements, all available for free.

• Files: PDF, 200 ready-to-print comic strips
• License: For Personal and Commercial Use without Attribution

8 Comic Strips to Tell Stories

This is a collection of 8 PDF templates for comic books by Mark Warner.

• License: For Personal and Commercial Use with Attribution

Free Big Three-Panel Top Action Comic Page Template

This template is ideal for a big opening action scene as the angled top boxes allow you to display your artwork and make it look more dynamic.

• Files: PDF, 1 ready-to-print comic strip

Free Double Size Opening and Ending Template

This free comic panel by  PrintablePaper has a double-sized opening and ending, so your comic page can have a big start as well as a big finish. 

5 Free Printable Comic Strip Pages

Here we have a set of 5 blank comic book pages with a different number of panels, depending on your story. The PDFs are printable and great for teachers and homeschoolers to help foster creative writing.

• Files: PDF, 5 ready-to-print comic strips

5 Free Comic Strip Printables with English and Spanish Headers

You can click on any of the images below and “save as” or you can copy and paste onto a Word document.

24 Free Blank Comic Strip Worksheets

Most of these are comic book strips, but they’ve also included two pages of speech bubbles and geometric shapes.

• Files: PDF, 24 ready-to-print comic strips

6 Free Printable Blank Comic Book Pages

These comic book templates are a perfect introduction to the graphic arts and the art of comic books. Requires subscription for downloading.

• Files: PDF, 6 ready-to-print comic strips

10 Free Printable Comic Strip Templates

This printable comic strips set has 10 templates in A4 and US Letter sizes, including layouts with and without speech bubbles. 

8 Free Dynamic Comic Book Page Templates

This collection by PrintablePaper offers 8 different dynamic blank comic book pages with a variety of panel numbers and arrangements.

Free Arch Top Comic Template

A dynamic blank comic book page with an arch opening and 8 panels.

Free Printable Comic Strip Maker

This template offers the elements to combine as you wish and create your own pages.

21 Free Comic Strip Writing Templates

Another free resource for teachers for a twist on your traditional writing in the classroom. 

• Files: PDF, 21 ready-to-print comic strips

These were the 16 sources that offer blank comic book pages for your projects. Especially valuable for teachers, the templates are free and ready to print.

Nevada-Comic Gràfica Radiant by Mayte Alvarado

Comic page by George Bletsis

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7 Best AI Comic Makers (Free and Paid)

Comics are a vibrant fusion of art and storytelling, where the vivid dance of visuals and words creates a unique and captivating narrative experience. Whether you are a seasoned comic artist or just starting your career, AI tools significantly improve your workflow and productivity. Here are the best AI comic-makers.

Many AI tools are available for making comics, but not all of them work as well as they claim. Some tools may take more time to use than they save. Additionally, some of them may be free now, but start charging for future features. We have tried and tested many apps and found the best AI comic strip maker for you. Let’s begin.

1. Comicai.ai – Personalized AI Comic Generator

Comicai.ai stands out among the best AI comic makers with its revolutionary approach to storytelling. The tool comes with an ability that lets you upload your story or use the AI’s creative prowess by entering a prompt. It doesn’t stop at narratives; it empowers you to create your characters through simple prompts.

What truly sets it apart is its automatic distribution of the story into panes, coupled with the option to generate images for each. If the visuals don’t align with your vision, a simple tweak of the prompt effortlessly reshapes the narrative canvas.

Furthermore, navigating Comicai.ai’s interface is a breeze, even in its free version. The user-friendly design ensures a smooth experience, and the tool’s basic features provide creative freedom.

This free AI comic generator is a seamless blend of creativity and unique functionalities, making crafting your comic an absolute delight. However, we also enjoyed the premium feature of the tool, as it allows you to create a watermark-free comic and customized action reference images. What’s more impressive is the price at which it’s been provided.

• Automated layout suggestions
• Comes with multilingual support
• Facilitates collaboration among multiple creators
• Heavily relies on good internet

Price: Free; Subscription: $15/monthly

Visit Comicai.ai

2. ComicsMaker.ai – Fastest AI Comic Generator

ComicsMaker.ai is a contender in our list of the best AI comic makers. With a minimalist interface and user-friendly approach, this website lets you effortlessly turn your ideas into vibrant comic panels. The AI algorithms of the tool efficiently generate visually engaging characters and scenes.

What sets this online comic book maker apart is its ability to adapt to various styles and intuitive design. Whether you’re into classic superhero adventures or quirky webcomics, this artificial intelligence-powered gem has you covered. All you need to do is input a detailed, descriptive prompt that describes the artwork you want to create. You also have various options to select a Style and Sampler.

Moreover, you can use its drag-and-drop functionality and intelligent suggestions to transform the comic-making process into a seamless and enjoyable experience. Whether crafting a superhero saga or a whimsical webcomic, this AI comic generator provides a streamlined experience.

Tip: Use negative prompts to filter elements you don’t want to see in the generated images.

• You can customize your characters
• Adapt art styles 
• Unsure about the learning curve
• Limited offline functionality

Price: Free ; Subscription: $5/month onwards

Visit comicsMaker.AI

3. Mage.space – Create Unique Animated Characters

Mage.space empowers creators to weave their narratives effortlessly, which has helped the tool earn a spot on our list of the best AI comic makers. The platform is a perfect blend of AI and creative expression, allowing you to generate captivating comic panels with just a few clicks.

Whether you’re a seasoned comic artist or a newcomer exploring the world of graphic storytelling, this comic strip maker welcomes you with open arms. The best part is that the comic maker doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary features but instead focuses on delivering a streamlined experience, enhancing the overall creation process.

However, don’t get fooled by the simple design of the tool, as it doesn’t compromise on functionality. Making it a go-to choice for anyone seeking a straightforward and powerful tool to turn their comic ideas into vibrant visual stories.

Regarding the premium subscription, we recommend getting it because it’s worth it. It lets you do many more things in the app, such as making GIFs, bringing in your own models, running multiple SDXL LoRAs, handling multiple images, and more.

Tip: Get inspiration for your prompts by checking out the explore section, and to enhance your experience, try using Models and Animated premium features.

• Pre-trained models
• Generate art in various styles
• Unfiltered creativity without fear of censorship
• The free plan restricts access to advanced models and features

Price: Free ; Subscription: $8/month onwards

Visit mage.space

4. AI Comic Factory – Grid It Your Way

Are you looking for an AI comic generator that makes your drawings look awesome? AI Comic Factory is the answer. It has different comic styles to make your illustrations pop and offers four different grid styles to add variety to your comics.

The free version of AI Comic Factory is good and lets you generate unlimited high-quality images . But remember that the story output isn’t always consistent, and it takes a while to generate images. Plus, you might get ads that slow things down even more.

You might want to consider the premium version for faster generation, better images, and a more consistent story. But it costs money, so it’s up to you to decide if the extra features are worth it. Though we liked the AI comic factory overall, it lacks features like adding text boxes for your pages.

• Diverse comic styles
• Dynamic character design
• Unique grid styles
• Limited features in the free version

Price: Free; Subscription: $29/month onwards

Visit AI Comic Factory

5. Storywizard.ai – Generates Whole Story at Once

Storywizard.ai is one of the best AI comic makers, focused on simplicity and storytelling for kids. Despite its seemingly basic appearance, this online comic book maker offers many impressive features. The standout feature is the ability to narrate a story with a brief synopsis of your desired plot. The tool’s AI engine takes charge, weaving together a captivating story. 

When it comes to the user interface and features in the free version, Storywizard.ai doesn’t disappoint. The tool’s straightforward design makes it easy to navigate, and you can generate one story for free. This makes it an excellent choice for parents and primary teachers seeking a hassle-free tool for creating engaging stories tailored for children.

However, despite its merits, there are some drawbacks to consider. One notable limitation is that the free version only permits the generation of a single story. Additionally, the premium version raises questions about value for money. The premium version limits how many stories you can make, so we’ll leave the decision to you whether or not you feel it’s worth the money before getting it.

• Easy-to-use interface
• Detailed character development
• Engaging plot generation
• Requires editing and refinement to ensure accuracy

Price: Free ; Subscription: $10/3 stories onwards

Visit Storywizard.ai

6. Stable Diffusion – Comes With an Array of Comic Book Templates

Stable Diffusion comes with a minimalist design, ensuring users can focus on the creative process without being overwhelmed by unnecessary clutter. The free version of the tool provides essential features to craft your comics. It includes a variety of templates and styling options, allowing users to experiment with different looks. 

You can type the prompt to generate AI images for your comic book. While the tool’s simplicity is a plus, the free version has drawbacks. However, it’s important to note that generating images in the free version is time-consuming. Additionally, while the interface is clean, it lacks the polish and efficiency of some premium alternatives. 

Surprisingly, upgrading to the premium version doesn’t necessarily solve these issues. We found the premium offering lacking substantial improvements, making it a questionable investment for those seeking a more seamless comic-making experience. If time and efficiency are crucial, exploring other options might be worthwhile.

• Artistic versatility
• Open-source
• Adaptive style matching
• Demands robust hardware
• The image generation process is time-consuming

Price: Free; Subscription: $9.99/month onwards

Visit Stable Diffusion

7. Neural Canvas – Generate Creative Comic Images With Ease

Neural Canvas is another innovative AI comic generator tool that can quickly and accurately bring your ideas to life. It can turn your stories into an immersive experience with the help of powerful neural networks and deep learning algorithms.

This comic strip generator stands out because of its extensive features. The AI-driven character generator in the tool lets you create distinctive identities with only a few clicks, guaranteeing a diversified cast for your stories. Furthermore, the dynamic backdrop and surroundings easily fit your plot.

Another intriguing feature is the conversation generator’s natural flow, creating a language that perfectly matches your characters’ personalities and breathes life into each frame. It is an essential tool with an easy-to-use interface, an extensive feature set, and a huge selection of styles and characters.

Thus, it may be your go-to app whether you’re an experienced comic book artist or just getting started.

• Advanced AI-powered storytelling
• Provides smart character design recommendations
• Automatic panel layout optimization
• No free trial available
• May have a steeper learning curve

Price: $3.99

Visit Neural Canvas

Your Comic Is Ready

Isn’t it a smart move to use technology to do all the hard work for you while you sit back and relax? Without much effort, you can turn your creative ideas into awesome comics with a few simple steps. Try these best AI comic makers, and let us know in the comments when you get praised for your great work.

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Last updated on 29 November, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

DID YOU KNOW

Bhaskar Sharma

Meet Bhaskar, your friendly neighborhood tech enthusiast-turned-wordsmith. For the past few years, he's been your go-to guide for demystifying iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms. While he holds a B.Tech degree, he has dedicated himself to simplifying tech complexities for all and has lent his expertise to publications like iGeeksBlog, The Writing Paradigm, and more. His forte lies in crafting easy-to-follow how-to guides and in-depth articles, making the intricate world of technology accessible to all. When not immersed in the tech world, you'll find him enjoying music or sports.

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Editable blank comic book pages

Edit free comic templates for free at edit.org. customize a comic strip to create your own comic online..

Discover comic book templates from Edit.org. Customize and print white or color designs to make your own stories easily, free, and fast.

Customize printable comic book pages

Who didn't learn to read with a comic book? It's a wonderful tool to start the precious habit of reading , and who hasn't dreamed of drawing one with a story of their own? It is a perfect activity to encourage children's imagination in school classrooms. It is vital to experiment with new creative formats !

At Edit.org ,we have created templates for you to make a comic strip in these formats:

• School Comic Spreadsheets. Perfect for easy printing and entertaining children with a new challenge that will exercise their intelligence: to tell a story or a tale through drawing.
• Comic page template with 6 vignettes . Horizontal or vertical. Create the first page of your comic in a few clicks. We have also integrated speech bubbles or balloons so that your characters can communicate with each other or with the reader, breaking the fourth wall.
• Comic templates of 4 vignettes . Make a simple or dramatic comic with an impactful ending. You can also include photographs instead of drawings. Also, vertically or horizontally.
• Templates for 3 bullet comic strips . The classic. Introduction, plot, and ending. The mythical humor strips for newspapers or paper magazines of all times. Create a memorable story that makes you laugh or think. Square or rectangular cartoons - even triangular!
• Cartoon templates with colorful backgrounds . Ideal for advertising purposes. You can fill them artistically, with photos or just words with modern and cool typographies.

At Edit.org, we help professionals from all over the planet achieve their business or creative goals every day. We try to specialize in each field or branch and offer you all the designs you need to develop your profession. If you are an illustrator, these designs are perfect for you. Discover also our editable storyboard templates . 

E dit blank comic book template at Edit.org

It's just 4 easy steps :

• Select a strip or page layout with vignettes from the ones we show you in this article.
• Fill in the bullets with your drawings, photos, and text inside the speech bubbles or dialogue balloons
• Save your work. This way, you can add ideas if you think of them later... And you won't have to start from scratch!
• Print your work in high resolution or share it online in perfect JPG, PNG, or PDF format.

Free printable blank comic book pages

Comic book characters are unforgettable . Tintin, Spiderman, Asterix... Do you dare to create your character? How about an alter ego of yourself? What if you give life to your pet and make him live amazing adventures? Dream big ! Let yourself be carried away by your delusions as Don Quixote did, but avoid dressing up as a knight and getting into a fight with the windmills. Draw the adventures you dream of living with Edit.org's customizable graphic novel templates . 

Remember that if you need to, you can resize the vignettes to fit your visual needs. You can also add or remove elements, as well as change the colors, logo, and text. Remember that you can  save in your user profile all your compositions to edit them again when you need them.

Download your printable comic strip designs

Customizing your comic template is as easy as writing in Word ! You can print the blank pages and draw over them freehand. You can also reverse the pages to create other formats. Without Photoshop or Illustrator, you'll have the square or rectangular bullet lines ready to start your story.

Create new universes and intrepid characters! Go to Edit.org's graphic editor now and print your editable comic page!

Free comic book page templates

Cover Pages

Book & eBook Covers

• My Storyboards

Online Comic Maker

One amazing free comic creator, multiple editions for your creation needs, comics in education.

Encourage reluctant readers or reluctant writers to get more involved in their schoolwork by making a comic strip online!

Comics in Business

Boost morale and get the point across with some fun relief. Creating your own custom comic strip can strengthen collaboration!

Comics in Life

Using our comic book maker online, you can create a comic book, graphic novel, or comic strip for a blog, social media, or printing!

What is a Comic Strip?

A comic strip is a sequential art form that tells a story through a series of illustrated panels. It typically combines images and text to convey narratives, humor, or messages in a visually engaging format. The panels are arranged in a specific order to guide readers through the storyline, and dialogue or captions are used to provide additional context or convey character thoughts and emotions.

They are often published in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, providing entertainment and commentary on a wide range of subjects. Comic strips offer a unique and creative way to engage readers, express ideas, and explore storytelling through the power of visuals and words.

Comics in Education!

With a comic creator online, students create their own masterpiece to show they understand a process or concept:.

• Reinforce reading comprehension
• Enhance understanding of complex literary topics like conflict and irony
• Address differentiated learning types
• Develop creative writing skills
• Reinforce understanding through the retelling of a historical event

Find more examples of why Comics are Great in education!

Learn more about our education edition and start your Free Trial.

For Your Business or Team!

Work doesn't have to be a stressful place. humor can help boost morale and get the point across..

• Fun in difficult situations
• Work environment process with pictures
• Motivational pictures to drive innovation
• PSA or positive thoughts for your employees to enjoy
• Workplace safety, health, and injury prevention comics

Strengthen collaboration by having your team create something together. Find more great examples why Comics are Great for your company!

Learn More about our business edition and start your Free Trial

Comics for Personal Use

We love posting and sending funny things to our friends and to the world. making your own masterpiece is easy and fun with comic strip generator like storyboard that. try it today for:.

• Your Website
• Presentations
• Social Networking Sites
• So much more!

Why Do People Like to Use Storyboard That to Create Comics?

Our comic strip creator is not only a fun and engaging tool, but it also offers great educational value. Teachers can use it to enhance their lessons and make learning more interactive. With our platform, students can express their ideas, showcase their understanding of a subject, or even become a comic character creator for a class project. The possibilities are endless!

Whether you're creating for entertainment, education, or personal expression, our free comic maker for kids provides you with the freedom to bring your ideas to life. So, don't wait any longer. Get started with our comic creator free and unlock a world of creativity today!

Creating captivating and impressive projects is a breeze with our comic book maker. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, Storyboard That will help you unleash your creativity and make something amazing.

Love Comics? Comic Book Creator

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of comic strips? Our creator is the perfect tool to unleash your creativity and bring your ideas to life. Whether you're a student looking to create something educational, or you are a budding artist wanting to explore the art of storytelling, our free comic strip maker for students and adults is here to help you every step of the way.

With our user-friendly interface and a wide range of templates, you can easily create your own masterpiece in just a few clicks. Let your imagination run wild as you design captivating characters, craft compelling dialogue, and set the stage for your unique stories.

Comics are Great For

Some of our favorite reasons to create comics.

• Reading Comprehension
• Social Studies
• Character Education
• Retell a Historical Event
• Explain a Process/Concept in STEM (and beyond)
• Artistic Expression
• Creative Writing
• Literary Satire
• Learning About Your Family Tree
• Sequence of Events
• Classroom Decorations
• Non-threatening PSA
• Ice-breaker
• Presentation Starter/Finisher
• Addressing HR Issues
• Team Building Activity
• Explaining a Process
• Commercial or Ad Creation
• Addressing Company Cultural Issues
• Newsletters
• Safety Cartoon Comic
• Instructions for Your Customers

Storyboard That Comic Book Templates

With our comic character maker and builder, and other powerful features, you have all the tools you need to create your own masterpiece. Unleash your imagination, experiment with different styles and techniques, and have fun expressing your creativity through art. Start creating amazing projects today with our comic strip maker and let your storytelling skills shine!

Take your skills to the next level by exploring other exciting features on our website. Our storyboard maker allows you to visually plan and organize your story ideas, while our book maker enables you to bring your ideas to life in a professionally designed book format. Dive into the world of storytelling with Storyboard That and unleash your creativity like never before.

How To Make a Comic Strip

Click on the “create a storyboard” button.

This will bring you to our state of the art, easy to use comic maker.

Give Your Masterpiece a Name

Be sure to call your project something specific so that you can easily find it in the future.

Choose a Layout

Use the comic generator to choose a layout. To do this, click on the “layout” button in the right hand menu. This is where you can add and delete cells, and add titles and descriptions if you would like.

Find the perfect scenes for the setting; all of our scenes are customizable! Simply drag the scene into the cell, and edit as you wish. Look for the "Edit Scene" button on the menu!

Add Characters and Items

Find and customize characters. We have TONS to choose from! Use our filter to help narrow your search. Next, choose from our thousands of items. Check out the "items" category, or search for anything in the search bar.

Add Dialogue

Add dialogue and thought bubbles by clicking on the “speech bubbles” categories. We have all kinds of styles to choose from.

Add Additional Text

Did you include a title and/or description box in your layout? Add your text in the boxes to make your comic even more exciting and unique!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your work, click the button in the lower right hand corner to exit. From here you can print, download it as a PDF, share it digitally, and more. Well done!

Frequently Asked Questions about The Comic Maker

Why make comic strips.

They are a fun and engaging way for students to show what they know, and they are excellent visual tools. Our comic strip maker for students allows students to use characters, images, scenes, and speech bubbles to tell a story. When they create art rather than typing or writing out a summary or essay, students hardly feel like they are working!

Can I make a comic book online?

Yes, you can! Storyboard That makes it simple to create comic strips and make your own comic book! Check out our images, scenes, characters, and so much more today!

What is a graphic novel maker?

A graphic novel is often synonymous with a comic strip or book. Our comic maker online makes it simple to create either from scratch! Check out our graphic novel templates and comic strip templates to help you get started!

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30 Day Money Back Guarantee New Customers Only Full Price After Introductory Offer

Learn more about our Department, School, and District packages

• Browse Our Puppets
• What is a Digital Puppet
• Uncategorized

200+ Free Comic Strip Templates

An exclusive collection crafted by our artistic team, that will help you plan and develop your comic books, storyboards or other visuals completely for free.

What’s Inside This Bundle

Unleash your creativity with our exclusive comic strip design pack , curated and crafted by our talented team. Dive into a treasure trove of over 200 completely free comic strip templates , suitable for both personal and commercial use .

Explore a diverse range of artistic styles meticulously prepared to cater to your unique preferences and requirements. With 17 distinct sets to choose from, each containing captivating comic strips with varying panel designs of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 panels , you’ll have the freedom to bring your ideas to life like never before.

Whether you’re a passionate storyteller, an aspiring comic book artist, or a visionary planner, these versatile strips will serve as invaluable tools. Unravel your imagination as you craft compelling narratives, design brilliant storyboards, strategize ad campaigns, or simply indulge in the delightful world of graphic concepts. And for even better results, you can even combine them with our vector cartoon character sets , or the transparent png characters .

Embrace the power of visual storytelling with our exceptional comic strip templates, and unlock a universe of endless creative possibilities. Let your artistic journey begin here!

Free PDF Comic Strip Template

Set of 11 free simple comic strip templates editable in PDF format.

File Format: PDF

Blank Comic Strip Template

11 Blank comic strip designs with different numbers of panels.

Free Puzzle Comic Strip Template

Collection of 11 comic strip templates connected as puzzle pieces.

Free Comic Strip Panels

A free set of 11 comic strip templates with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 panels.

Comic Strip Layouts

11 Different comic strip layout designs with different numbers of panels.

Comic Book Strip Templates

Free-for-download comic strip templates with 3 to 9 panels included.

Blank Comic Book Strip Templates

11 Dynamic Blank comic strips in comic book style.

Free Comic Strip Template Set

Absolutely free to download comic strip templates for different purposes.

Cartoon Comic Strip Designs

Variety of comic strip templates in cartoon-style design.

Pop Art Comic Strip Set

11 Classic pop art style comic strip templates in outline style.

Comic Strip Frames Template

11 Creative Picture frames designed as blank comic strips.

Printable Film Comic Strip Template

Set of 11 printable comic strip templates in film strips.

Movie Storyboard Comic Strip Template

Collection of 11 blank comic strip templates for storyboarding.

Black and White Comic Strip Templates

11 Monochrome empty comic strip designs with black and white colors.

Empty Comic Strip Designs

Variety of creative comic strip designs with different blocks.

Simple Comic Strip Set

Collection of 11 simple style comic strip design with different layouts.

Outline Comic Strip Templates

11 Blank comic strip design templates with different numbers of panels.

In conclusion, our exclusive comic strip design pack is a gateway to boundless creative expression. With a rich assortment of over 200 completely free templates in various styles, you have the tools to transform your ideas into captivating visual narratives. Now its time to unleash the power of comics and see your ideas come to life like never before. Embrace the possibilities, embrace the art, and let your creativity shine!

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High-quality vector cartoon characters prepared in rich sets of different poses and concepts. Easily customizable, editable and adaptable.

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