Short-Form Video for Comic Creators

Short vertical videos — on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts — can put your art in front of people who have never heard of you. You don't need to dance or talk to the camera. For comic creators, the art can be the star.

Video ideas that work for comics

• Time-lapse of a page. From blank page to finished art in a few seconds. Viewers love watching an image appear.
• Sketch to final. Quick cuts between rough, inks, and color.
• Panel reveal. Show a page panel by panel, ending on a dramatic moment.
• "Classic vs. comic." A famous line from the novel on screen, then the panel you drew for it. (See our novel vs. graphic novel piece for the idea.)
• Character design. How a character evolved, from first doodle to final.
• Book flip-through. The printed proof arriving, and a quick flip through the pages.
• Tips. A short lesson: "How to letter a speech balloon," "Why I leave space for the gutter."

Hook in the first seconds

People decide quickly whether to keep watching. Start with the most interesting moment: the finished page, a striking face, a question on screen ("Can you guess which classic this is?").

Keep it simple to make

• Record your drawing sessions as you work, so you always have footage.
• Use on-screen text instead of narration if you'd rather not speak.
• Use music and sounds from each platform's licensed library, so your video isn't muted or removed.

One video, three platforms

A vertical video can usually be posted on all three platforms. Remove any watermark from one app before posting to another, and check each platform's current length limits.

Point people somewhere

Each video should lead somewhere: "Read the first chapter free — link in bio," pointing to your website's preview pages or newsletter.

Consistency beats virality

Most videos won't take off, and that's normal. Posting regularly builds a body of work that new viewers can explore when one video does reach more people. Repurpose what you already make — see turn one comic page into a week of posts.