Editing and proofreading comics is a crucial step to ensure your work is clear, consistent, and engaging. Whether you are creating comics for print or digital platforms, you need to check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, layout, and visual elements. Here are some of the best tools and techniques for editing and proofreading comics.
A style guide is a set of rules and standards for your comic's language, format, and design. It helps you maintain a coherent and professional tone throughout your comic. You can create your own style guide or use an existing one, such as the Comics Experience Style Guide or the Comics Code Authority. A style guide can cover aspects such as font size and type, capitalization, word balloons, sound effects, panel borders, and color schemes.
Before you start drawing, you should review your script for clarity, flow, and logic. Make sure your dialogue is natural, concise, and appropriate for your characters and genre. Avoid repetition, clichés, and jargon. Check your plot for continuity, coherence, and tension. Use transitions and captions to guide your readers through the story. You can also ask for feedback from a trusted friend, colleague, or editor.
Once you have your script finalized, you can edit your artwork to match your vision and style. You can use digital tools, such as Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate, to adjust your lines, shapes, colors, and effects. You can also use traditional tools, such as erasers, pens, or markers, to correct or enhance your drawings. Make sure your artwork is consistent, balanced, and expressive. Pay attention to details, such as anatomy, perspective, lighting, and backgrounds.
After you have your artwork done, you need to proofread your text for accuracy, readability, and impact. You can use online tools, such as Grammarly, Hemingway, or ProWritingAid, to check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. You can also use print tools, such as dictionaries, thesauruses, or style manuals, to verify your word choices and usage. Make sure your text is clear, concise, and engaging. Avoid errors, typos, and inconsistencies.
Another important aspect of editing and proofreading comics is testing your layout for functionality, aesthetics, and accessibility. You can use digital tools, such as InDesign, Comic Life, or ComiXology, to arrange your panels, pages, and elements. You can also use print tools, such as rulers, templates, or mock-ups, to measure and preview your layout. Make sure your layout is easy to follow, appealing to the eye, and suitable for your format and platform.
The final step of editing and proofreading comics is getting a second opinion from someone else. You can hire a professional editor or proofreader, or ask a friend, colleague, or beta reader to review your comic. A second opinion can help you spot mistakes, gaps, or improvements that you might have missed. Be open to constructive criticism and suggestions. Remember that editing and proofreading comics is a collaborative and iterative process.
Comment in an adobe acrobat PDF. I worked on comic books that were translated in Canadian French, North American Spanish, and German. The translators made comments in the PDF with the translation. That way I didn’t have look for the correct characters on the keyboard. Just cut and paste into the artwork. There’s a checkbox in the comments list for you to check off. It all went very smoothly.