KikaMika Comics

02/17/2024

How to write a comic book. World Building.

Now that you have an idea and want to develop a story from your brainstorming, there is an important step that most new writers, and even OLD writers, tend to take for granted or ignore, World Building.
To fully realize the story you want to write, you MUST be immersed in the world that the story exists in. It allows you to not only visualize the spaces and people of that world, but most importantly to FEEL that environment.
It is easy to forget that the stories we love, the movies, television shows, books and games, ALL exist in fictional worlds. That’s right, not one of these worlds is real. Even when a story is set in modern times and real places that you may know well, the fact is the creator of a story has created a world that does not exist. This is a wise decision.
A fictional world allows the creator to manipulate the spaces, people, and events without affecting their reality. The freedom to do ANYTHING allows the creator to build and destroy AT WILL.
Building a world can be done in steps or just allowing your mind to wander through the spaces while taking mental note of interesting things in that world you want to use in the story you are creating.
Where is your story taking place? Is it a real place or a completely made-up place?
When is the story set? Are the events taking place “now” or in another time? (this is my favorite step). If it is set in the past, it is wise to start doing research. For example, The place, New York City. The time, 1947. Learn about NYC in 1947. Is there a specific event that happened that you want to include in your story? If so, you should know all about that event, so your story has authenticity.
Is the story set in the future? In a fictional place? Ok, now you get to define the rules of that world as you wish. But you MUST follow those rules to the letter, so your story feels authentic and does not confuse the audience.
I will use Star Wars as an example.
Lucas created a world that feels authentic by defining the Empire and the Rebel Alliance simply by visual reference. The Empire is shiny, new, and high tech, while the Rebel Alliance is dirty, old and cobbled together haphazardly. This tells the audience a LOT about the state of the world at the time the story is being told. It also grounds the story in a reality that feels authentic from beginning to end.
NEXT TIME; World Building Part 2. Case study: Concrete Martians

02/13/2024

This is Mitch. With Keith busy with his workshops about how to make comic books, I thought I would start dropping little posts every now and then regarding writing. I have been hesitant up to now as I really didn’t feel like I had achieved enough to be any sort of teacher when it comes to writing. But lately, I feel confident that I do know what I am doing. So, today I am going to begin a lesson about writing comic books.
First it is important to understand that there are HUGE differences between writing prose vs. writing a comic book script. But there are some very important similarities. The most important thing is to begin with an idea that you like. You MUST like the subject you are writing about. I once feared that no one would want to read anything I wrote. What if they didn’t like it? George Lucas clarified once that anyone who wants to write something should write what they want to read/see. If you like it, the odds are good that someone else will too. If you are writing something that you really don’t like, STOP. Take a breath and start a Blue Sky process.
The Blue Sky process is an exercise in brainstorming. Just start jotting down things you like or would like to read or see. It doesn’t matter what it is or how dumb you think it is. Just let it rip. Anything goes. You will begin to see things that actually spark your imagination. Start gathering the ideas that excite you. Compile a list of those things and see where it leads. I guarantee you will find your idea; one you actually like.
NEXT TIME; World Building

02/03/2024

10 years ago I realized a dream. And it scared me to death. I wrote my first comic book. I had no idea how to do it, but I just went for it. Ever since I consider myself a comic book writer. It's who I am. I think in visual sequences and my stories present themselves to me that way. It's been an amazing 10 years. 9 books later I'm still at it. Learning more about the craft every page. Thanks Keith Grachow for hanging with me and realizing my visions with art that syncs with my words. Here's to the next 10.

The year of The Martian begins here. Inspired by actual events, Concrete Martians is the story of a small Washington lumber town caught up in Martian Invasi...

01/19/2024

My next big event is going to be at Wayside Comics & Cocktails in Newmarket on Feb. 10th. I'll be tabling with Howard Wong, Fred Kennedy and Nick Marinkovich.Every Saturday in February Wayside comics will be spotlighting different comic book creators so you'll have plenty of chances to meet some amazing creators. It's a great new comic book shop that also serves coffee and cocktails. Check em' out when you can.

01/17/2024

Doodling The Man Who Laughs with my student, Sam. No matter how much I try not to, he just ends up as the Joker.

01/09/2024

Got home from New Orleans just before the snow storm.

01/08/2024

What a great show to start the con season. Thank you FAN EXPO New Orleans, Kevin and his team, my fellow comic book creators and all the fans who I met. It was such a fun time. I hope to be back soon!

01/03/2024

Finally, Finally finished this piece.

01/02/2024

Starting on Friday, Jan. 5th, I'll be a guest at FAN EXPO New Orleans. Come find me at table P26 with my latest comic books, and some original art. I'll also be open to doing a few commissions. See you soon!

01/01/2024

Big News; Concrete Martians is SOLD OUT!! Thanks FANS!!

12/27/2023

Next week starts up my con tour with FAN EXPO New Orleans, where I will be a guest. It's my first time at the show and the city, and I'll be meeting up with my family so I'm super excited.

12/06/2023

Saturday, Dec. 16th, I'll be back at Comic 1 Books for my annual holiday signing. See you soon!

09/25/2023

Thank You, Portland.

09/24/2023

Last Day!! Come find us at Table X-10.

09/23/2023

A good and busy day

09/22/2023

SHOWTIME!! See us in Artists Alley booth X-10

09/21/2023

Did we pack enough for Portland?

09/20/2023

A lot to pack

09/19/2023

09/04/2023

RCCC is just around the corner. Find KikaMika Comics at corner booth X-10 in Artist's Alley. West Coast Debut's for 'B'Ingo Invades...The Zoo' and 'Saltwater' Issue #4, and 'Sasquatch: A Refugee Story.'

08/17/2023

New marketing stuff

05/16/2023

The web site and book store are finally updated.

04/20/2023

Starting to feel a new Dwell story coming on.
A sort of Band of Brothers tale.

1917, North Cascades, Washington State. The US Military has ventured deep into The Dwell. Their goal, harvest trees for their Great War. Dwellers, in panic, gather to decide what they should do.
The Forest Service is born to defend The Dwell from non-Dwell activities and keep it’s citizens protected and safe. But The Dwell is in need of help. A recruitment effort is made to build an army.

The Flying Squirrel Squad. “Tiny Terror From Above!”

04/03/2023

Boxes of new books arrived today. WOO HOO!!

03/14/2023

"Sasquatch: A Refugee Story" is finished and headed to the printer. WOO HOO!!

03/06/2023

Only took three days to get accepted to Rose City Comic Con 2023. We have a corner section in Artist Alley. More to come.

09/06/2022

Sad News: A positive COVID test snuck in and crippled our ability to appear at RCCC this coming weekend. We are so sorry to miss you. Stay tuned for future plans.