How to Create a Good Comic Title
After creating a comic book character and story, your next task should be naming the comic. Comic book titles do not always feature simply the name of the main character. Looking through the history of the medium and surveying its successful titles can provide insight into how to approach your own creation.
Plug in adjectives that describe your protagonist, with examples such as "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Incredible Hulk" in mind. Plug in other characters that are integral counterparts to your protagonist, looking to comics such as "Batman and Robin" and "Green Lantern/Green Arrow." Try using only the name of your protagonist to see whether it is memorable enough for readers.
Use the theme of the comic to describe the book. Use phrases that describe what the reader will experience with titles such as "Tales of Suspense" and "Tales to Astonish" as examples. Think about what type of readership you want, and consider how you can give those readers a hint about the subject without revealing too much.
Think about objects or things in the story that allude to your protagonist in a memorable way. Consider examples such as "Sledge Hammer" or "Blood Sword," which provide a source of both familiarity and mystery to readers. Decide on the source of power or interest for your characters and whether that would best describe your comic book in an engaging manner.
Writer Bio
Andy Smith is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he maintained one of West Virginia's only columns dedicated to comic books—"Panel to Panel with Andy Smith." Honing his skills in reporting, video, still photography and various multimedia venues, he has appeared in several publications ranging from home state newspapers to abroad.
