How to make a Manga and find an artist by Pistol Taeja

Continuing where the previous 'how to make a manga' script left off

As you saw in the essential tutorial, How to Make a Manga in Google Docs, you absolutely do not need a special editor or drawing software to write a manga or comic.

I used my own software Mangaplay Studio to write it.

Your goal, first and foremost, is to get your idea on paper! Pistol Taeja needs it!

How do I hire an artist or find a good artist for my comic?

TLDR: If you can speak English, then vGen and Reddit (/r/ComicBookCollabs, /r/HungryArtists) are where you'll find an artist.

At the time of writing this article, the price for one A4/B5 JIS page in black and white ranges from $20–$150.

A 21-page chapter will run you about $1000 ($45 a page). If you're the type of person whose mind is on fire with ideas, then this is the cost of doing business when you're unable to draw.

What is the workflow with an artist like, and how do I decide which one to work with?

I am a caveman. I do one job well: you give me a hammer, I hit things. I expect artists to be the same. The artist's job is to art. If they need help or clarity, then I expect them to speak up; otherwise I will replace them with someone else. Bye, Felicia.

This may seem harsh, but you will see why in a moment.

Make a post on Reddit or DM an artist on vGen.

Before you post anything on any platform looking for a writing partner, artist or collaborator, you have to be honest with yourself about what type of person you are, what you're capable of and what you expect from this other person.

A relationship that starts off bad will not get much better.

My approach to getting the "Back to Africa" 3-page script made into a comic was simple.

Write a post on Reddit as if it was written by a caveman. The script is already formatted well, so my job as the writer and director is to bring clarity to the work.

• How many pages is the job?
• What format are the pages? A4? B5-JIS?
• Colour or Black/White?
• Is it a Western comic or Eastern Manga?
• How much $ per page?
• Is there a script available? (Yes)
• How can they contact you and what do you need? (portfolio? email?)

This is the bare minimum expected from your post. It is already hard enough to get feedback on a piece of work; no-one wants to read your 1000-word essay in the modern environment.

You will attract a huge amount of messages from hopeful artists, bad artists and bots.

After 2 days there were a total of 100+ interested artists willing to take up this work within my budget — a fact for which I am forever grateful.

This was because the post was clear, concise and contained a call to action. The 40+ direct messages and 20 friend requests on Discord were immediately dismissed for not being able to follow instructions. Do not reward shortcuts when it comes to something you love.

The post clearly stated at the bottom:

"Do not message me directly. Please leave a link to your portfolio and your rates in the comments. Apologies if I do not get back to you."

If a person can't read a short message, then the likelihood of them paying attention to the comic script format is low.

What would have been an exhaustive exercise in finding an artist willing to make a manga with me was actually a short list of 11 artists. These were the only individuals who replied to the Reddit post, stated their price and linked their portfolio.

Working with the artist

Of the 11 artists, I took about 6 minutes to decide who I wanted to work with. I chose two individuals, one of whom was Manta — you can find their work here.

Art is very subjective; overthinking is your enemy. All 11 artists presented excellent work within the budget. I chose Manta purely because they were one of the first and I thought their style might fit the script.

The other 10 artists did nothing wrong. In fact, I also commissioned a second artist with the same script whose art also fit, but they did not produce the work fast enough. I may update this article at a later date.

The conversation between myself and the artists, from the beginning of the process to the finished artwork, was less than 15 sentences and went something like this:

• Hi, my name is Taeja. Are you still up for the work? Is a B5 Japanese manga in black and white okay for you? Do you accept PayPal? Was the script clear? Yes, you're free to do whatever you want. There are no designs at present; the intent is to post your work on my website.

You can see the script and their artwork side by side below. What do you think of it?

Back To Africa , The Story

# Page 1 INT. SOMEWHERE DARK - NIGHT

Panel 1

Dark purple lights soak the leather interior of a private booth inside a building. The area is sparsely packed with men — heads low, eyeballs averting one another. GLITTER sparkles from somewhere, out of focus.

Panel 2 [INSET]
CROCODILE SKIN SHOES slam on a table. The motion rattles empty bottles of Soju.

Panel 3
BARNICUS is sunk deep into a couch thrice his size, his lanky legs extending onto the table. He picks his teeth while yelling into a cellphone.

    BARNICUS
    I know we sell soju, but walk with me...

Panel 4
A male with a HUSKY voice eviscerates the ears of Barnicus.

    HUSKY (O.S.)
    No! We are now wealthy legally, so quit it with these stupid get-rich scams.

    HUSKY (O.S.)
    I'm on my way to you right now.

Panel 5
Barnicus looks at the phone like it's about to chew his hairline.



# Page 2

Panel 1 [INSET]
Barnicus takes a deep breath.

Panel 2
He leans into the phone preparing to tell the universe about the next big thing.

    BARNICUS
    This is generational wealth in our lifetime. 
    
    BARNICUS
    The product takes 24 hours to make, then sells for $10,000 a bag.

Panel 3
Barnicus stares at the phone with both hands.

    BARNICUS
    Hello?

Panel 4
The phone slumps over in a sigh.

    HUSKY (O.S.)
    Continue...

Panel 5
Barnicus sets his foot on the ground, back upright, face beaming to the brim with confidence.

    BARNICUS
    I knew you still loved money! We won't even leave the country this time.



# Page 3

Panel 1
Barnicus gestures wildly to the heavens with the phone pressed against his ear.

    BARNICUS
    We pay some mope to hire another mope in Africa. Have him and his Zulu buddies collect coffee beans. 

    BARNICUS
    'Cos you know over there, coffee grows like grass and all that. He then feeds the beans to an elephant til Dumbo takes a massive golden dump.
    
    BARNICUS
    Here's the best part, He cleans it up, sells the poop-coffee to us for 50 cents a kilo, and we re-sell it to millionaires in Thailand.

Panel 2
Husky's voice — sharp, distinct and quiet.

    HUSKY (O.S.)
    Where are you right now?

Panel 3 [INSET]
Barnicus freezes mid-grin. The teeth-pick stops moving.

Panel 4
A pull-back. He is in a VIP Booth. Outside is a pole on stage.

A STRIPPER mid-pirouette, blows him a kiss in slow motion. The "men with heads low" are trucking notes from their pockets to the women on stage. Soju bottles everywhere.

Panel 5
Barnicus waves a fistful of money. The grin returns, full force.

    BARNICUS
    I'm at a single-mother fundraiser.