Basic story foundation

Beautiful artwork by Greg Tocchini

What is a comic book without the story element?  Nothing but a picture book.  If you plan to create comics you should understand at least the basic premise of a story.  Without getting too deep into it here are the basic parts of a basic story and what they contain:

The beginning is exactly that, t
he beginning.  It is used to introduce an idea, situation, characters, and the setting.  Take your time to give some details of the people in your story.  show their interest or involvement.  Produce a question for your audience. Ask them what they think about a particular topic.  Show them that something is going to happen.  Welcome your reader to your world.  Make them feel part of the story.

Beautiful artwork by Greg Tocchini

The middle is the part you use to develop the elements and characters you introduced at the beginning.  Here is where your story brews.  Start leading your audience towards the main conflict or problem.  Whatever happens here should lead to your main conflict.  You can have a few minor conflicts where your heroes succeed or fail, but they all have to lead to this main conflict.  Great stories use elements such as foreshadowing and plot devices to hint towards the main conflict or the resolution of it.

The main conflict should be a turning point.  It should be grand and exciting.  Don't cop out on this part of the story.  Really put everything on the line.  People love excitement and risk.  Readers want to learn or imagine how your characters were able to resolve the conflict, how Super guy and Mega dude foiled Dr. Devastation's plans.  Make it creative and dynamic.  Do your due diligence on the resolution you choose for the problem at hand because your readers will challenge it, be assured of it.

The end should answer almost every question that the reader might have unless you plan to leave it as a cliff hanger, as in mot continual comic series.  But at least answer the main questions in your current story so your reader doesn't accuse you of leaving plot holes in your comic book.

There are many different story structures but this is the basic one used in many comic books so learn it and build from it.