What is a comic book writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Anna Mae Duane

Comic book writers create exciting stories and immersive worlds on paper with their sheer creativity and artistic skill. However, it's more than just making characters and writing the best dialogue that resonates with the audience. Comic book writers also have to collaborate with a team of other creatives that consists of artists, pencillers, and colorists to truly bring their creations to life.

A comic book writer is in charge of the story and the script, but they may also participate in the actual illustration of the comic. More than that, they are generally in charge of communicating with publishers or, if they don't work for themselves -- clients.

There is no educational requirement to become a comic book writer, just like many other jobs in the industry of art. Some may have college degrees in writing or fine arts, but there is really no qualification to become a comic book writer, except for a passion for comics and a good set of writing skills.

The salary of a comic book writer also varies. But in general, a comic book writer that regularly publishes their work can earn an average of $69,000 a year.

What general advice would you give to a Comic Book Writer?

A

Anna Mae DuaneAnna Mae Duane LinkedIn Profile

Professor of English and Director of the Humanities Institute, Website

The idea that English majors are not in demand is a myth—don’t harm your own chances by buying into it! There are numerous studies—and countless employer testimonies—that indicate how valuable your skills as an English major are. English majors consistently find work in a variety of fields, and perhaps even more important, alumni of English departments report that they find their jobs and lives rewarding. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 'what sets two equally qualified job candidates apart can be as simple as who has the better communication skills.' You are, in many ways, ahead of the game in comparison to others in your cohort. I’d also urge English majors to think broadly about their career options. Yes, fields like journalism, publishing and advertising all rely on the skills developed in English departments. But other employers, particularly in tech companies, have realized how valuable English majors can be to their organization. As a recent report in Fortune indicates, top executives in AI at IBM and elsewhere realize that having expertise in the Humanities is an essential component for success in their field.
ScoreComic Book WriterUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $69,377

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
3.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.36%

Asian 4.93%

Black or African American 5.93%

Hispanic or Latino 7.62%

Unknown 5.59%

White 75.58%

Gender

female 39.44%

male 60.56%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
3.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.4

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Comic Book Writer career paths

Key steps to become a comic book writer

  1. Explore comic book writer education requirements

    Most common comic book writer degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.0 %

    Master's

    13.2 %

    Associate

    8.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific comic book writer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Comics87.27%
    Adobe Photoshop5.63%
    Fiction3.84%
    PowerPoint3.27%
  3. Research comic book writer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage projects diligently under aggressive deadlines while maintaining editorial integrity and ensuring stories have entertainment and/or educational value.
    • Edit other people's novels, short stories, and non-fiction books.
    • Proofread, edit, and update content.
    • Proofread and check written articles for accuracy and consistency.
  4. Prepare your comic book writer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your comic book writer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a comic book writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Comic Book Writer Resume templates

    Build a professional Comic Book Writer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Comic Book Writer resume.
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
    Comic Book Writer Resume
  5. Apply for comic book writer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a comic book writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Comic Book Writer Job

Zippi

Are you a Comic Book Writer?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average comic book writer salary

The average Comic Book Writer salary in the United States is $69,377 per year or $33 per hour. Comic book writer salaries range between $43,000 and $111,000 per year.

Average Comic Book Writer Salary
$69,377 Yearly
$33.35 hourly

What Am I Worth?

Loading...
Loading...
salary-calculator

How do comic book writers rate their job?

Working as a Comic Book Writer? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs