What is a storyboard, and why is it necessary?

A storyboard is a series of simple drawings that show how a story will unfold, like a comic strip for planning. It is an important step in making comics or animations because it helps you organize your ideas, decide camera angles, plan character movements, and fix any problems before starting the final work. If you want to learn how to storyboard a comic, start with small sketches called thumbnails. These rough drawings help you place characters and actions in each panel. Then, arrange your panels on a page, add arrows to show movement, write dialogue or captions under each scene, and note camera directions like zoom or pan. This makes the story easier to understand and helps if you're working with a team. Some great animation storyboard ideas include using different panel sizes for dramatic effect, adding motion lines to show action, or even creating a simple video (animatic) to test timing. According to Immersfy, good storyboarding uses creative layouts, clear expressions, and strong scene flow to make the story engaging. Whether you're planning a comic or animation, knowing how to storyboard a comic makes your work clearer, faster, and more professional, even before the final art is done.