How to Write and Publish a Comic Book Using Only ChatGPT

The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Comic Book with Just ChatGPT

Example used: “The Living Dead” — A 30-Page Zombie Apocalypse Comic"

Creating a full comic book used to require a team: a writer, a penciler, an inker, a letterer, a colorist, and an editor. But today, with ChatGPT as your assistant, you can create a complete 30-page comic book by yourself—even if you’re not a professional writer or artist. All you need is an idea, a little time, and smart use of prompts.

In this exclusive guide, I’ll show you exactly how to use ChatGPT to build a full zombie apocalypse comic from scratch. Our example comic book will be titled “The Living Dead”—a gritty, character-driven story of survival during a global outbreak.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Concept and Genre Prompt

Start by telling ChatGPT what you want to create and the tone you’re aiming for.

🟢 Prompt:

“I want to create a 30-page zombie apocalypse comic book titled ‘The Living Dead.’ It should have suspense, action, and emotional stakes. Help me develop the concept, setting, and tone.”

ChatGPT Output (summary):

• Concept: A viral outbreak sweeps across the U.S., turning people into fast-moving undead.

• Setting: A deserted Midwest town where a small group of survivors hides in a school.

• Tone: Gritty, grounded, survival horror with moments of humanity.

Step 2: Character Creation

Now build your main characters. ChatGPT can generate complete profiles.

🟢 Prompt:

“Create 5 main characters for ‘The Living Dead’ comic book. Each should have a unique background, strength, and internal conflict.”

ChatGPT Output (summary):

1. Nina Carter – Ex-paramedic. Smart, resourceful, struggles with PTSD.

2. Mason Vega – Former high school janitor. Good with tools, silent leader.

3. Lila – A 12-year-old girl who hasn’t spoken since the outbreak.

4. Jared Fox – Conspiracy theorist and prepper. Paranoid, unpredictable.

5. Officer Ellie Tran – Rookie cop. Moral compass, idealistic, in over her head.

Step 3: Comic Book Outline (30 Pages)

ChatGPT can structure your entire story arc, page by page.

🟢 Prompt:

“Give me a 30-page comic book outline for ‘The Living Dead’ with page-by-page breakdowns. Each page should have a short description of what happens.”

ChatGPT Output (example highlights):

• Pages 1–2: Open with a flashback of the virus outbreak in a city hospital.

• Pages 3–5: Nina and Ellie sneak through a ruined neighborhood.

• Pages 6–10: Group gathers in an abandoned school and tensions rise.

• Pages 11–15: Jared tries to convince the group to leave. A walker attacks.

• Pages 16–20: Lila disappears. Nina and Mason search through the sewers.

• Pages 21–25: Flashback of Lila’s parents. Nina finds Lila but is bitten.

• Pages 26–28: Nina says goodbye. Ellie steps up to lead.

• Pages 29–30: The group leaves the school. On a hill, a horde is seen in the distance.

Step 4: Comic Script (Dialogue + Panels)

Now it’s time to generate full script pages, including panel breakdowns and dialogue.

🟢 Prompt (for pages 1–2):

“Write the comic script for pages 1 and 2 of ‘The Living Dead.’ Include panel descriptions, narration, and dialogue. Page 1 should open with a chaotic hospital scene.”

ChatGPT Output (sample):

Page 1 – Panel 1:

Wide shot of a packed emergency room. Nurses shouting. Bloodied patients everywhere.

Narration (Nina): “No one was ready. Not the doctors. Not us.”

Panel 2:

Close-up of Nina pressing on a patient’s chest. Sweat and fear on her face.

Nina: “Stay with me! Come on!”

…and so on.

You’ll repeat this for every 5 pages until your 30-page script is done. You can modify, rephrase, or reorder anything you need.

Step 5: Visual Direction and Art Prompts (Optional)

If you’re using AI tools for illustrations, ChatGPT can help generate prompts.

🟢 Prompt:

“Give me a detailed visual prompt for an AI image generator for Page 1, Panel 1 of ‘The Living Dead.’”

ChatGPT Output:

“Emergency room in chaos. 10–15 injured civilians. Overhead fluorescent lights. Nurses in scrubs. Blood on walls. A female paramedic in the foreground performing CPR. Low light, cinematic tension.”

You can use this prompt in tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or share it with a human artist.

Step 6: Sound Effects and Text Elements

ChatGPT can also help you spice up scenes with onomatopoeia and action words.

🟢 Prompt:

“Suggest sound effects for a zombie smashing through a window.”

ChatGPT Output:

“CRASSSHH!” “GRAAAAH!” “THUNK!” “TINK-TINK-TINK” (glass falling)

Step 7: Formatting and Layout Tips

You can use a layout app like Canva, Comic Draw, Clip Studio Paint, or Photoshop to create your comic. Ask ChatGPT for layout help:

🟢 Prompt:

“Suggest panel layouts for a 5-panel comic page with fast-paced action.”

ChatGPT Output:

• Panel 1: Wide horizontal at the top

• Panels 2 & 3: Side-by-side medium shots

• Panel 4: Tall vertical panel for the zombie breaking in

• Panel 5: Close-up of Nina’s terrified face

Step 8: Title Page, Credits, and Back Cover Blurb

Let ChatGPT help you write the front matter and back copy.

🟢 Prompt:

“Write a back cover blurb for ‘The Living Dead’ comic book.”

ChatGPT Output:

“A virus brought the dead back… and stripped the living of hope. In a crumbling town, five strangers fight to stay human in a world crawling with monsters. ‘The Living Dead’ is a tense, character-driven survival story with action, sacrifice, and a flicker of light in the darkest place.”

Step 9: Export for Amazon KDP

Once your comic is complete and laid out in 30 pages (plus cover), export it as a PDF with a trim size that fits Amazon KDP standards.

For comics, 6.63” x 10.25” or 8.5” x 11” is common. Keep the file size under 650MB.

Ask ChatGPT for formatting guidance:

🟢 Prompt:

“How do I format a 30-page comic book PDF for Amazon KDP print?”

ChatGPT Output Summary:

• Trim size: 6.63” x 10.25” or 8.5” x 11”

• Bleed settings: Enable bleed if art goes to edge

• File format: PDF, under 650MB

• Resolution: 300 DPI images

• Upload your manuscript PDF + separate full-cover PDF (front, spine, back)

Step 10: Publish

Upload your files to kdp.amazon.com, fill in your title, subtitle, description, author name, and keywords. Set your price and click publish.

ChatGPT can even help write your book description, keywords, and author bio.

Final Thoughts

With ChatGPT, creating a comic book is no longer limited to studios or professional teams. You can build compelling characters, tight storylines, and gripping scripts all from simple prompts. “The Living Dead” example proves that all you need is an idea and a little time to make your comic real.