DO NOT DISTURB: Creating the graphic novel
Part 1
When my creative partner, Jarod Hunter Roe, and I set out to do our follow-up project to The InSpectres, we wanted to change things up a little.
With The InSpectres, we wrote a feature screenplay first and then adapted that to a graphic novel. With Do Not Disturb, we decided we would write it as a graphic novel comprised of four single-issue installments. It was a smaller project in scale, and, given its per-page total, far more appealing to an indie publisher just based on the print economics of putting a book out (as of this writing, the publisher of Do Not Disturb is Invader Comics).
Jarod and I broke down the story, as we usually do, over Skype. We have rather lengthy sessions in which we discuss in broad terms what the story is about, who are the characters that populate the world, and ultimately, what we are thematically trying to say. Once we feel we have a mutual understanding of the plot, characters, and overall story arc, we move to writing a treatment.
We do multiple iterations until we find alignment with what we think the end product will be. With it being four issues (or chapters if it ends up being just one book), we agreed I would write issues 1 & 3, and he would write 2 & 4. But it ends up being that either Jarod or I write the first draft, and then the other takes a pass at a second draft. This bandies back and forth until we, once again, fall into alignment.
What follows are the first 7 pages of the book, and how we put it together.
Once the script for issue one was finalized, I did a loose sketch pass. As you can see, it’s just enough line work to get an idea of what’s going on.
The story tone is reminiscent of film noir: the protagonist is a private detective searching for someone in a seedy, LA hotel. In the script the character speaks in voice-over, which will be displayed in caption boxes––that’s what the empty boxes in some of the panels represent. I rough them in the art to make sure I supply space for them.
Once Jarod approves, I move to a tighter pencil stage…