Making Action Scenes for Comics: 10 Tips to Help You

[@_lexi]

Wow, it is so ironic that this was posted when it was, because my english teacher at school told the class we had to make a 16 page children's book, and I was thinking to myself, "Wouldn't it be useful if Crilley uploaded a video about comics?" And BAM! Here one is.

[@markcrilley]

Potion Lily ^_^

[@telvanxoagub7972]

JrtHey

[@BlackHei711]

My tip would be to not be too fancy. Sometimes comic books have such crazy comic panels that I don't know which panel comes next.

[@nedsrandom]

Ikr

[@WinterinBerlin]

***** #1 "clarity is more important than anything else" ;D

[@thallan]

nice name prof. pic

[@nmlss]

The best example I could think of the last tip is when Joker killed Robin with a crowbar. During that scene all you see is Joker's face swinging the crowbar and not a single explicit panel of Robin being hit (until the end to show he's "really dead"). That creates a lot of tension, because the image you picture in your mind is probably so much more brutal than anything you can see draw in the comic.

[@zackina1489]

Thanks dude😁😁

[@rebeccaeve5554]

Crilley, you're like the Leonardo Dicaprio of comic books- outstanding work, but underappreciated when it comes to some recognition. I wish more people knew about you. You're such a great teacher, awesome video!

[@WinterinBerlin]

Rebecca Eve underappreciated? he has over 2million+ youtube subs. the second biggest artist has 650k+. that is a really big level of appreciation

[@JoximusARTpage]

Rebecca Eve I actually hear other artists mentioning him from time to time in their own tutorials :P

[@rebeccaeve5554]

Well, he might be famous in the YT community but he isn't known for his comics much anywhere else- he is known mostly for the Akiko novels. If I remember correctly, he was also an Eisner nominee roughly thirteen times from Akiko but has yet to win an award for any of his work. That's more of what I meant by underappreciated.

[@zamted]

Who cares about awards and he's Definetly not under appreciated

[@reg2643]

ikr

[@merchillio]

6: yes! yes yes!!!! When we read old comic books, it seemed like the hero would narrate EVERYTHING in speech or thought bubbles. "Oh no! it seems he shot me in the shoulder" or "Good thing I have super strength that allow me to lift this car and throw it" or "Hopefully they don't know I'm here" it bothers me so much... show, don't tell.

[@evanlee6644]

+Jean-Dominic Lapointe Lol i thought i was the only one!!! It's like in the silver age comics, how they would explain everything!! "By using my heat vision, i am able to cut this planet in half!"

[@TrueSkyblueClouds]

*I'm sneaking into the complex now. To steal the thing. The most important thing of all. It all started back in 1732, when my father was shot and killed by Herpafrerj the Seventeenth. His body landed in the coca-cola mines, where it exploded and gave birth to me, giving me my innate ability to go on a crazy drug trip whenever I want. Now, it's time to steal the hekdakjjfjfjffidk... etc. etc.* Meanwhile, it's halfway through the book, and all this is being said in one panel.

[@evanlee6644]

TrueSkyblueClouds Lol

[@kwasib-r2434]

Jean - Dominic Lapointe I 100% agree. The needless narration really slows down the fight scene and quickly ruins it. To be honest I don't even know why they do it

[@lynxanimation4199]

Omg I needed this I was making a comic and a huge fight scene was about to come up and I was like CRAP! what do I do?!? You are a huge help!

[@coleanti-zilla8292]

Hey,in fairy tail it has a comedy brake for a minute before coming back to the action,or use a speech between characters as a brake

[@GKOALA7]

You explain things out so thoroughly and naturally that you scarcely leave much room for questions. Thank you.

[@jauxro]

For those interested in more examples, the webcomic "Space Boy" has some really nice page layouts and the webcomic "Lookism" has some of the best action sequences I've seen in any comic.

[@muneebalam8525]

I want to buy all your books because I think your brilliant. Like seriously

[@markcrilley]

Muneeb Alam Thank you Muneeb!

[@muneebalam8525]

Ohhhhhhhhhh he replied. Its an honar 😊😊😊

[@muneebalam8525]

Ya. Like I said very smart

[@muneebalam8525]

You just have a great taste in drawing like you always draw with no mistakes

[@muneebalam8525]

Kulsoom shut up

[@xsra7903]

You are amazing I almost gave up on drawing and then when I came to your channel I loved the drawings so much that I said to myself if I want to be as good as him or even close I have to practice and I practiced for over a year now and I'm still practicing. Thanks so much.

[@Samuraiox]

I'm working on my own comic now and your videos have been incredibly helpful! One of the things I've trying to understand how to use are action lines and I don't think you've hit on them yet! Loving all the vids!

[@kingconan4crom]

For such an old video this is more informative than all the recent action scene tutorials. I can tell your experience and wisdom plays a huge part in why. Thanks for sharing.

[@jermjerm610]

Mark, you are flippin amazing man.

[@undeniablelogic1963]

Mr. Crilley, I have a question. Will you post a video of how to draw battle damage, please? (Examples: Damage from getting shot, stabbed, and or cut. Explosion residue. Spaceship battle damage.) I'm starting on three different comic books of my own. Sadly, I don't know how to sell them. So, I'm just going to make them for fun and free. They involve lots and lots of explosions and beautiful spaceships.

[@brendaevangelista7783]

Very excited to check this out! This is something I've been needing help with for my own project. Thanks for reading my mind, Sir!

[@wondyclave1364]

Didn't think Mark would watch movies like Mad Max. Nice video. Big help

[@tashaanicole62]

I actually forgot it was Friday until I saw this made me happy!

[@ShadowMinder]

The last tip reminded me of an episode of Person of Interest (I know it's a TV show, but it's still suggested action.) The entire scene is shown from a side character's perspective, of our main character, walking into a bar, getting kicked out of the bar, and after straightening his clothes he goes back into the bar and all your hear are glass shattering, punches thrown and some guy getting thrown through the window. It was a lot more effective and humorous than watching our main character display his abilities to us once again. :D

[@madeleinehindorf2692]

I really like this kind of videos, lots of great tips and tricks! Thanks Mark for taking time to make them!☺

[@aleksander60v]

Mark Crilley "You are amazing" Bought your mastering manga BOOKS! Thank you for being alive!

[@markcrilley]

SomeThingRandom Thank you so much!

[@WayfaringStar]

Thank you so much for your videos! They are very helpful, easy to understand, and it is also very heartwarming the way you talk to us as the viewer; interesting, inspiring, and full of good advice.

[@TheInsanePhil]

7. beware of having your action scenes go on for too long, uninterupted: I think that depends on how long you want the fight to be and how important the fight is for the story. Taking the fight in the latest one piece chapters for example. A lot of people got really angry from time to time because the mangaka constantly interrupted the fight with dialogue, or even other scenes unrelated to the fight. It started like 20 chapters ago and is still ongoing just because of the constant interuptions.

[@winnerwinnerchickendinner8042]

Wow, i litterally commented about 2 weeks ago asking if you could make something like this! You're awesome!

[@jrm48220]

I think a few follow-up tips that I have picked up from various sources might be helpful. When talking about an action scene not going on too long, it's important to remember that in a comic book you have two different kinds of action panels. The first are panels that weave together to show a sequence of rapid action, like a specific combination of blows that sets up exploiting an enemy's weakness. The second are panels that simply illustrate the conflict. Each one of these panels is essentially a few seconds of the fight condensed down into a single image that shows the most important or dramatic moment occurring within those few seconds of conflict. With regard to the page turn, it's important to note that you don't always need to insert a cliffhanger panel before the turn. Sometimes you can simply take the panel that occurs before the twist and enlarge or expand it to fill the space left over by moving the twist to the next page.

[@Hirashi679_]

markcrilley sensei this was really good helpful advice I'll eventually Look at it again in the near future whenever I get inspired in making my own story one day once again your way of explaining things is so much better! :-)

[@markcrilley]

monica rios Thank you Monica ^^

[@princesscraft3400]

markcrilley I wanted to say im going to buy all of ur books for my Birthday.I so HAPPY.and my Birthday is very close too :3

[@Hirashi679_]

No problem sensei markcrilley​

[@stanford4379]

I love your comic book. your art style is awesome!!

[@lee_dog]

I love the effort you put into these videos! They have helped me so much.

[@markcrilley]

Dempsey Bradshaw Thank you Dempsey! :)

[@mdhebert]

Most of these are useful for plain narrative story telling, too. :) Thanks!

[@markcrilley]

mdhebert Glad I can help ^^

[@daynanie1338]

Thank you so much for your videos on comics. Watching your videos has really improved my drawing skills! I'm actually motivated to do my own drawing channel soon :)

[@robbiej1350]

Your work is truly amazing. Your really helped me in my school art I am now top of the class I can't thank you enough for all the tips and ways you shows me to draw keep up your art :).

[@Hechab]

Well timed! I was actually going to start practicing drawing action scenes! Thank you!!!

[@angelicaarciagaming9624]

Dear Mr. Crilly I am here to thank you for all the things you taught me over the past two years. How to create diologe for comics. I'm using your advice for a big project I'm planning. I never had the confidence or inspiration to make a comic at first, But with your advice a tips I beleive I can do this. Thank you again. - Tala D. Stanforth

[@noobdevil82]

Mark, I've been watching your videos for 4+ years, I've improved a lot, and I want to thank you , cheers

[@shivrajpadole3720]

Are you a pro comic writer

[@novicity4439]

Wow, this was INSANELY helpful for me. Thank you so much for the vid. I especially love your examples and artwork! I'm so glad you decided to section these off into parts as well because it's way easier to understand and keep notes of! This is really getting the creative juices flowing lol, I can't wait to explore more of your page!

[@Gray_Plays]

I love your Mastering Manga book. I take it almost everywhere I go. Though, I'm still trying to get my hands on Mastering Manga 2. Hopefully I can get it soon.

[@wilfred5179]

Wow, this is amazing. I wish I had this kind of talent. I’m just barely getting by writing my book as a hobby in school with very poor drawings

[@janderson5108]

Today Brody's ghost arrived, I can't put it down!!! You are amazing! I just bought 2-4 on amazon! Can't wait!

[@markcrilley]

John Anderson Thank you so much, John; your support means a lot. :)

[@Vikingpser]

thank you mark, this video helped me so much!

[@darebat21art74]

Awesome tips this really helped me create more dramatic action scenes !

[@ellierush8040]

This was awesome! :D I'll definitely remember these tips if I ever get into comic creation (which I certainly hope to)!

[@steelshade]

On that #8 tip there is a double page turner in the Brody's ghost example, with a knife at Brody's throat on the lower right hand page! Really builds the suspense further. Great tips, Mark!

[@markcrilley]

steelshade Thank you, friend :)

[@hawkdeer4468]

I'm whanting to make a manga someday and thanks to your awesome teaching I know how to make a manga. You have great tips. Thank u

[@fabriciomoreira1180]

I just found your channel and i already like so much your work. I live in another country, so it is really good to see that your books are available on amazon.

[@Haggispk]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou, I'm working on roughing out the last action scene in my first comic and seeing how you solve some problems have really helped me

[@PrincessMuk]

I got the Miki Falls books at my library, I was so exited!!! I couldn't put them down! I read all four of them in 2 hours!!!! Best series evaaaah!

[@markcrilley]

PrincessMuk Thank you PrincessMuk!

[@PrincessMuk]

OMG, I was not expecting you to reply!!! Your welcome, it was the best thing I've ever read!!!! I did not expect the end of winter!!! I loved how you included old art, it was funny to see how much everyone changed!!! It should get an award or something... Well anyways, your the best writer/drawer ever!!!!!!

[@jmm1233]

The honoured and renowned master of motion illustration Hokusai , learned alot from looking at his work and style

[@jakeanderson8144]

You're an inspiration mate, after my exams are over I'll sit down draw my own story! :)

[@ShinGallon]

I actually just started in on the major action scene in my graphic novel, the one where the story takes a pivotal turn, and after a year of looking forward to drawing this scene I get to it and feel...intimidated? Overwhelmed? But this video gave me some good tips, I'm definitely going to rough out the next 5 or so pages to get the entire sequence plotted out visually, not just narratively.

[@daotaku4099]

Your extremely helpful Mark!I wish you were my art teacher even though I love mine xD

[@Katt-ci6gw]

I know I’m 5 years late but THANK YOU I work on a comedy adventure comic called sticks and stones it started as a personal challenge to make a comic where the most people are faceless stick figures, but not only have good backgrounds and make sure the characters are expressive, relatable, flawed and comedic (I bend towards dialogue based comedy) and eventually became my main comic, anyway I have a lot of problems with action as even though the anatomy of the characters are consistent I’ve never been the best at making it come out like I want as a lot of my expertise is using the characters positions and body language to support the dialogue so... thanks!

[@Jonathan-ih4mo]

Sou brasileiro e assisto seus videos!!

[@wowlalo]

Thanks for another great video, Mark. You really inspire me to draw, even just for the fun of creating something I like.

[@markcrilley]

Gonzalo Pazos You're very welcome, Gonzalo :)

[@Darthescar98]

This vid was really helpful for me. You're really inspired me to make my own graphic novel (from past videos, not just this one), but the one thing that I seem to have trouble with is finding a good art style. Not just for my current project, but just a style that I'm generally satisfied with. If you wouldn't mind, I'd really like to see a video on that.

[@uki017]

Love your work. I have really been able to get a lot of great tips from your videos. I think they have helped me with my own drawing and story telling. Thanks!!!

[@Fetteremo]

do you have videos about exercises for more handcontroll?

[@harkhushsidhu8825]

At 7:08, why didn't you use any sound effects for when Brody slammed the door open or when the chair must have fallen down?

[@AnimeLover-ws3pp]

markcrilley Thanks for the advice, I'm planning on using it. ☺👍✏

[@bambummy7102]

Bingewatching ur tips again ✨ thank u for being a part of my childhood! Ur videos literally guided me towards becoming an artist 💓 thank u!! 💓

[@wollie4649]

These videos where you explain a concept rather than a step by step drawing are far better for artists

[@WinterinBerlin]

Philipp Wollie people love the step by steps more because it gives a better false impression of improvement ;D hardly anyone here is an actual artist ^^

[@wollie4649]

WinterinBerlin sad but true.

[@Maximus-xi4fh]

thanks for all your videos and what you do! You have helped me start expressing my stories and ideas through drawing! :D

[@sharonkadach6884]

Thank you for this! Yeah I think overall what I really need is to do more rough planning

[@AndrewArsenal]

Been waiting for this! AWESOME

[@abrameffiom2938]

hey mark i think your great and i was just wondering where you get you comics published

[@グランップ]

Mark, how far do you plan on going with the Mastering Manga series? Will you be sticking to basics, or go into more advanced subjects?

[@makaelmoore-skinner5920]

Mark I love your art you inspire me

[@TeamSolution]

Man I wish I could just hire you to write my manga for me. Your art style is insane! I have my ideas but they're too major for my artistic skills to keep up with lol. I bought Mastering Manga 1 and 2 though so it's a start!

[@miketheartist5133]

Thanks for the tips Mark!! p.s im a subscriber

[@PixelCollie]

9:40 I think a manga that has great pacing with its continuous action scenes is Haikyuu, there are chapters and chapters of volleyball being played & it cuts to flashbacks and characters explaining things to make it interesting. I watched the anime and thought the concept wouldn't work that great in manga, but it was actually really well done :)

[@novaexx6587]

Can you please do a tutorial of how to draw *Kaneki Ken*? (Not only the head, but upper body as well, if possible).. It would be really really useful..

[@melissa-zh3sz]

Can you do a video for fights involving guns or just how to draw a gun

[@assassinhub]

Mark crilley all. Want to say is u inspired me draw and i became really good at it thx to u

[@geepee438]

Thank you Mark for help! Great video!

[@crisantocedilla8642]

yey been waiting for this kind of video :DDDDDD

[@rofl9514]

I haven't read Miki Falls, but I feel like 3:37 escalated a bit quickly..

[@knivesknivesknives]

Nice I really wanted a video on this. Thanks.

[@susansantos6936]

Hey Mark,what if the action sequences are more like a gun fight or a shootout because I'm planning on making a fan made action manga involving several gunfights but it seems to be impossible for me to draw a proper way for a gunfight/shootout.

[@herrdoktornapy6835]

Are you planning on making another mastering manga book for more detailed information on the subjects you list in videos such as these. Also personal opinions on the size of panels before you place them into your comics. Also thanx for the videos. They help so much!

[@eminmulaimovic2093]

I just read entire Brody's ghost series over night it is so addictive.Please keep up a god work and Please make onother comic with super powers ore somthing simular.

[@markcrilley]

Emin Mulaimovic Thank you Emin!

[@Alex-qm2ib]

Can you please do a tutorial of drawing medieval capes and robes

[@WinterinBerlin]

Art by Alex look at medieval capes ropes (e.g. gooel images) ;D

[@Creepy_Pasta_]

No one does it better than Naruto designers or Marcrilley ;)

[@Antdavis14]

Hey Mark. Just stopping by to say i've been a fan for years and I think what you do is awesome man. I just recently started getting serious about drawing manga i've spent the past few months studying human anatomy. Currently i'm progressing with drawing poses especially from my mind and i've picked up techniques from different artists that I often use. Anyways my point with this is; even just from watching this video and how you sketch the roughs of your poses seem like they piece together very well. I mean, even for just rough sketches I can already see all the emotion and gesture throughout them. Maybe sometime in the near future you could maybe make just a video of you doing sketch/figure drawing demo's? Maybe even make it into a series. Idk. Just a thought. But honestly I feel like poses and anatomy are the two core obstacles of all us fellow artists out here trying to progress, and i've learned so much from watching other artists drawing processes throughout the web I think if it was possible to watch your thought process and how you construct poses it would be the cherry on top. Keep up the solid work! Once my next paycheck comes in I shall definitely be ordering from you to support. =)

[@markcrilley]

Anthony Davis Thank you Anthony! Really appreciate your support.

[@aslangyu]

Cool video,man. Very useful

[@anhoang5718]

Mark! Can you make something new like the chibi robot ! I love it so much!!!!

[@ItachiUchiha-no9nd]

Ur art is amazing i have subscribed and would 100 times over thx for the vids

[@elig6222]

this was a good videos on how to draw action scenes in comics.

[@TDKDesignz]

i love these type of videos, thankz mark :D

[@dvirrocks]

Hey Mark! Can you make a video about choosing cover art?!

[@shinzomurakami6981]

Hey Mark I was wondering what was the size of the Bristol board that you drew Brody's Ghost on?

[@XXCAPTAINSMALLZXX]

Mark I love your videos! I'm very interested in buying your graphic novels! You're a huge inspiration to and my artwork. But I must know, how did you get so good at drawing?

[@yuvalyehezkel5558]

damn i need this great idea crill

[@lindseyseaborn8173]

Could you do a video on coloring skin? Or textures? Just a thought :)

[@alisamissesbella]

Uploaded on my birthday. Really awesome :)

[@ivoalarcon518]

Erza scarlettyo Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day! Saludos desde Argentina (Greetings from Argentina)

[@myarttv683]

MyArT TV Subscrabie

[@LizzySimba]

Erza scarlettyo Happy birthday! :D

[@meganloving6297]

Happy Birthday

[@alisamissesbella]

Thanks alot guys! Really made me smile :D

[@Kuuper111]

Hi mr. Crilley, I was wondering, what is the best way to draw a comic with the pov from one single person? Like when you are seeing it through their eyes. I've written a little originstory for a character, and it's pretty much a conversation between two people, only I don't want to reveal who the pov person is quite yet. What's the best way to do this? Do you show their hands, feet etc? Or just what the pov person sees/hears/says. Thanks for your time.

[@xXtherubixcube7Xx]

These are so helpful, sir. Thank you so much for the tips!

[@dorismiller7262]

Mark can you show a blending color video I know you already did one, but can you do hair, eyes, clothing, skin, shoes, body parts mostly to show how to blend different colors.

[@HDico2013]

OK, this will be totally out of context, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Crilley!!!! How can you end the 2nd Brody comics with such a cliff hanger ?!?!?! How can you do this to me, now I have to wait UNTIL TOMORROW to go buy the 3rd. I can't wait!!! I need to know what happens...

[@markcrilley]

ICO Thank you for getting the books! :)

[@HDico2013]

markcrilley Just finished Brody's Ghost. Brilliant !!! The story is great and I loved every single bit of it, especially the breath-taking 2 page long-shots. The cityscape is amazing and I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to your next series. I'd love to see more stories set in the Brody's universe, but won't really mind something completely new.

[@BxBL85]

Just read Will Eisner's book: "Comics & Sequencial Art". Everything is explained in there with extreme detail.

[@danielsamaroo114]

Great video man. Love it. By the way, will you ever do a one piece drawing? Or Bleach?

[@dr.gaming8638]

mark crilley. cna you please mkae a video about blending colour pencils or do a worktour

[@darioscomicschool1111]

1:11 Thank you!

[@xbrian1992x]

This was helpful! I don't normally read sound effects anymore because there isn't much point of it...