If you watch cartoons, you have probably noticed that the characters often wear the same thing over and over. This is for a couple reasons. It helps keep them consistent for one thing. Wouldn’t you hate to be the group of animators who have just spent WEEKS on a scene only to find that your main character magically changed outfits halfway through?
Clothing can also tell you a lot about who a character is, or how they feel. Superhero’s actually do undergo a costume change occasionally, often marked not just by new artists drawing their own take on it, but a dramatic change in their stories. Superboy in Young Justice for example starts his life out in white, but quickly changes to something black and brooding when Superman rejects him. How would that story and character feel different if he’d kept his original colors? Or tried to copy Superman’s blue costume?
GiGi, my insecure pile of amorphic goo, wears something long sleeved and warm when in her human-ish form. She’s shy and insecure, and what she chooses to wear tells us that.
Monica’s clothing in Ghost and Girl is another good example of hinting at her feelings, but it also has a plot aspect to it too. She wears an oversized coat that envelopes her and she holds her backpack protectively close so she has everything she needs right at hand. This hints that despite her bravery against those ‘spooky’ ghosts, she really is unsure of herself at times, and might be carrying around am important secret.
So, the activity for today: Take a character of yours and change their
outfit. Put them in something opposite of what they generally like to wear, put
them in a few things that are ridiculous in their situation, or let them switch
clothes with their best friend. Maybe switch outfits with the villain or antagonist!
Not only is it fun to play around with, but you might find that your villain
kind of likes superhero capes. Or you might find that the boy wearing his coat
to the beach does so because he’s cursed and always feels cold. It’s fun to put
your characters in new places and situations. Experiment with it and see how it
feels to you. You might find something you like better, or you might realize
why the way they look and the things they wear are so important to them and the
story you’re telling.
Also, if you want a good comic to read for free, check out Monica's story On Webtoons.
The Box
When I develop a new character, I like to get to know them with an activity I call "The Box." It’s a fun way to dig into their history and personality, and sometimes it can be a good plot booster too, especially if I'm feeling stuck. This writing exercise helps me understand what is important to my character and their story.
So, for this activity, you take a blank sheet of paper and imagine that this is a box your character has. It’s an important box, the kind they might keep tucked away under their bed, or hid in some other secret place to keep it safe. On your paper, list or draw the things that they keep inside their box. These are the things that they love, the things that bring back memories, or the things they know are important, but are still a mystery to them.
One of my main Characters, Finley, really does have a box. Inside it she
keeps letters from her parents along with instructions on how to forge
important documents, and a thieves guild ring from her dad. (Good ol' dad is
always watching out for her!)
Monica, the main (living) character in Ghost and Girl doesn’t have a physical
box, but if she did, she would keep old firework labels in it. She’d keep
pictures of her family and a coat of her dad's. These items say something about
her. It tells us what she loves, what she misses, and what’s important to her.
Some of this stuff appears during the actual story, other stuff might not show
up, but it's still there. As writers, we know that the things in our
characters' boxes make up an important part of who they are.
Ghost & Girl
Webcomic
Ghost & Girl is HERE my friends! It was a lot of work, but finally you can read our awesomely fun and heartwarming mini series.
Episodes are updated weekly.
A nervous ghost is haunted by a living girl. He's stuck with her until he can help her come to terms with some unfinished business.
Also, be sure to check out and support my co-creators!
Art Luna Grey
Lettering Kevin D. Lintz
And, if you want some fun sneak peeks and behind the scenes on this story, subscribe to my newsletter. I only email once or twice a month, and only if I have something fun to offer. I look forward to sharing some of the funny stories and behind the scenes from Ghost & Girl.
