Panel 2. There is no set limit for how much or how little information should be included in each panel description; generally a sentence or two is enough. If there are specific character traits, objects, or placement of either that you need, make sure you tell the artist. If it doesn't appear in the script, it probably won't appear in the art.

3. SFX:

SOUND EFFECTS ARE INDICATED JUST LIKE DIALOGUE.

4. CAP:

CAPTIONS ARE DONE THE SAME WAY. ALL DIALOGUE, SOUND EFFECTS, AND CAPTIONS SHOULD BE LISTED IN THE ORDER THEY SHOULD BE READ IN THE FINAL ART.

5. CHAR. #1 (thought):

THOUGHT BALLOONS ARE INDICATED IN THIS FASHION. CAPTIONS AND DIALOGUE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 25 WORDS PER BALLOON, AND ABOUT 35-45 WORDS PER PANEL.

1

(number each sheet of paper in your script)

Writer/Book Title #1 (on the top of each sheet)

Page One (continued) (always list story page at the top of each sheet)

Panel 3. Exact panel layout is usually left to the artist, but if you have something specific in mind, put it in your description. If absolutely necessary, you can draw a sketch of what you want.

6. CHARACTER #1 (OP):

CHARACTERS SPEAKING FROM OFF-PANEL ARE INDICATED THIS WAY.

Panel 4. For action sequences, you'll get best results if you limit yourself to four or five panels per page. Remember: the larger the panel, the more spectacular the action; hence, the more spectacular your action description, the larger the panel should be and the less room you'll have for other panels.

7. CHAR. #1 (whisper):

IF A CHARACTER IS WHISPERING, THE LETTERER NEEDS TO KNOW.

8. CHARACTER #2:

DIALOGUE THAT CARRIES OVER FROM ONE BALLOON OR ONE PANEL TO ANOTHER IS INDICATED BY DOUBLE DASHES AT THE END OF THE FIRST BALLOON--

9. CHARACTER #2:

--AND ANOTHER SET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT.

10. CHARACTER #3:

DOUBLE DASHES CAN ALSO BE USED TO INDICATE A SPEECH THAT IS CUT-OFF BY EVENTS IN THE STORY --

Panel 5. For non-action scenes, you can have more panels per page, but keep in mind how many characters and props are necessary in a scene when you are writing. The more panels on a page, the smaller each of them will have to be.

11. CAP (CHAR. #1):

"A CAPTION CAN BE USED TO CARRY OVER DIALOGUE FROM A PREVIOUS SCENE TO A NEW SETTING BY PLACING THE SPEECH IN QUOTATION MARKS."

12. CHARACTER #3:

UNDERLINE WORDS THAT YOU WANT TO EMPHASIZE. ELLIPSIS POINTS (THREE PERIODS) INDICATE A PAUSE... OR A SPEECH THAT TRAILS OFF...

This concludes the submission guidelines provided by Dark Horse Comics. Inspired? You can send your submissions to:

Dark Horse Comics, Inc.
10956 Southeast Main Street
Milwaukie, Oregon 97222 U.S.A.

For additional advice on getting your comic book published, read Getting Published: A Few Suggested Paths, a survey in this issue of Animation World Magazine.