How to write a comic book: A masterclass with Marvel's Kieron Gillen

Learn how to get your concept onto the page and out into the world, in this evening masterclass with Kieron Gillen.

Marvel is having a moment. From the minute details in the world-building to the complexity of the characters and the scale of the stories, there are few things more exciting than a really brilliant comic book.

If you have an idea or concept for your own comic, but aren’t sure how to break into a seemingly closed industry, this masterclass with Marvel’s Kieron Gillen is for you. The writer of a huge range of comics - including the critically acclaimed The Wicked + The Divine, and Marvel Comics’ Young Avengers - Kieron will give you the advice he wishes he had heard at the start of his career.

Combining anecdotes, practical takeaways and a breaking down of individual stories and pages (plus Q&A), Kieron will take you through how to construct your jump-off point into a strong story, how the industry works - and doesn’t work, how to maintain your unique voice and style in a process that might involve more opinions than you’re used to - and more.

This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the leading comic book writers in the world. If you’re in the early stages of crafting your own comic, you’re trying to get yours to land in a difficult industry, or if you simply have a story to tell, this is an unmissable chance to have your questions answered, and - more importantly - be on your way to realising your comic writing dream.

Course content

• What a comic script is, what it isn't and how to make yours yours without making an artist want to kill you.

• How the industry works and doesn't work. Demystification and warnings.

• The whole Process - building your idea, your team and the book to show the world.

• How do you work with artists, editors, inkers, colourists and everyone else. What works? What's ethical? What's both?

• Narrative structure, at every level - the panel, the page, the issue, the series.

• Q&A

Tutor profile

Kieron Gillen is a British comic book writer. He is known for co-creating the acclaimed comics The Wicked + The Divine, DIE and Phonogram. He has also worked on numerous projects for Marvel Comics, including Uncanny X-Men, Darth Vader, Young Avengers, Iron Man and Star Wars.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website