Write the last half of your comic story
Write and illustrate the second half of a short comic story, continuing characters and plot while practicing storytelling, sequencing, and simple drawing techniques.
About this activity
Write and illustrate the second half of a short comic story, continuing characters and plot while practicing storytelling, sequencing, and simple drawing techniques.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather your materials and find a quiet spot to work.
- 2
Step 2
Read the first half of your comic carefully to remember the characters and what just happened.
- 3
Step 3
Write one short sentence that says what the main problem or goal is at the start of the second half.
- 4
Step 4
Decide how you want the story to end by choosing one goal or outcome for the characters.
- 5
Step 5
Use your ruler or pencil to draw six boxes on a new page to make six comic panels for the second half.
- 6
Step 6
Write one short sentence under each panel box describing what will happen in that panel from left to right.
- 7
Step 7
Lightly sketch each panel in pencil showing characters and the main actions you wrote for each panel.
- 8
Step 8
Add clear facial expressions and one important prop in each sketch so the story emotion and action are easy to read.
- 9
Step 9
Trace your pencil lines with a black marker to make the final comic art bold and clear.
- 10
Step 10
Wait for the ink to dry and then erase any pencil lines with your eraser.
- 11
Step 11
Draw speech bubbles and write your characters’ words neatly inside each bubble.
- 12
Step 12
Color your panels using your colouring materials to make the scenes bright and easy to follow.
- 13
Step 13
Add a short final caption or title in the last panel that shows how the story’s problem was solved or changed.
- 14
Step 14
Take a picture or scan your finished comic and share your creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I guide my child to write and illustrate the second half of a comic story?
Start by rereading the first half to note characters, setting, and the unresolved problem. Ask your child what should change, then sketch a simple four-to-eight panel thumbnail layout showing key beats: rising action, turning point, and resolution. Add speech bubbles and short captions, keeping dialogue concise. Use light pencil for basic shapes, then ink outlines and color last. Praise effort and revisit pacing or wording if needed.
What materials do I need to write and illustrate the second half of a short comic?
You'll need paper or a sketchbook, pencils, eraser, a black fineliner or marker for outlines, colored pencils or markers for coloring, and a ruler for panel borders. Optional tools: a lightbox or tracing paper, speech-bubble templates, stickers, reference images, and a tablet or stylus for digital drawing. Keep materials simple so the child can focus on storytelling rather than complicated tools.
What ages is this comic continuation activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages roughly 6–14, with adaptations. Ages 6–8: use simple three-to-six panel pages, guided prompts, and tracing for characters. Ages 9–11: try longer sequences, dialogue practice, and independent thumbnails. Ages 12–14+: encourage more complex layouts, pacing, and character development. Supervise younger kids for safety with sharp tools, and let teens explore digital options. Adjust challenge to your child’s writing and drawing confidence.
What are the benefits and fun variations for having a child continue a comic story?
Continuing a comic story builds storytelling, sequencing, and vocabulary while strengthening fine motor skills and persistence. Variations include collaborative 'comic chain' where family members add panels, changing genre (mystery to comedy), flipping perspective to a side character, or creating silent comics using only pictures. For a challenge, set a timer or limit dialogue. These twists keep the activity fresh and teach flexibility in plotting and visual communication.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a ruler, black marker, or scanner?
Use a straight edge like a hardcover book or cereal box to draw the six boxes, trace your pencil lines with a fine-tip black pen if you don't have a marker, and photograph the finished comic with a smartphone instead of scanning to share on DIY.org.
My ink smudged and the pencil lines smeared when I tried to erase—what should I do?
To avoid smudging after you 'trace your pencil lines with a black marker,' test the marker on scrap paper, let the ink dry fully longer than you think before you 'erase any pencil lines,' and use a soft eraser with gentle strokes.
How can I adapt this comic activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, simplify by drawing three big panels instead of six and letting them use stickers for the 'one important prop,' while older kids can add extra panels, more dialogue in the 'speech bubbles,' and detailed backgrounds during the 'lightly sketch each panel' step.
What are some ways to enhance or personalize our finished comic?
Add custom sound-effect lettering and unique props when you 'add clear facial expressions and one important prop,' create a colored cover or alt ending in the final caption, and upload behind-the-scenes photos alongside your final image when you 'share your creation on DIY.org.'