A lot of readers often wonder: what does it take to bring a comic from script to the final product? While every creator is different in their process, there is a lot of uniformity in the process. With Kody Chamberlain’s Sweets being one of our favorite new books of the year, all of us at Multiversity were curious: what is his process?
We’ve got a special treat for you all, as after the jump we have a look at Chamberlain’s scripts, thumbnails, lettered thumbnails and final pages for issue one, pages seven, eight and nine of Sweets. It was a real treat to take a look at this, and thanks to Kody for sharing with us.
Jeff, a thin black man in his 40’s, sits patiently in a leather chair.
JEFF
Curt’s daughter died three weeks ago. Now he’s looking at a divorce?
If you take this job…
Lieutenant Palmer gives Jeff an evil stare.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Have you met our Mayor, Jeff?
JEFF
Sir?
LIEUTENANT PALMER
The Mayor.
Have you met him?
He sips his coffee again.
JEFF
Yes.
I’ve met the Mayor.
Lieutenant Palmer sits on the edge of his desk, looking down at Jeff.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Have you noticed his ties?
JEFF
Ties?
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Neck ties.
JEFF
No, Sir.
I haven’t noticed his neck ties.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
They’re very nice.
Lieutenant Palmer holds up his plain blue tie.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Mine are cheap. The cheaper the better.
But the Mayor? He buys expensive SILK ties.
Probably imported.
JEFF
Sir, I…
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Quiet.
PAGE 8
Lieutenant Palmer points to the newspaper headline about the dead priest.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Father Domingue wasn’t just the sixth victim. He was a prominent member of this community.
Our Mayor attended his service every Sunday. Did you know that?
JEFF
No, Sir.
I didn’t.
Lieutenant Palmer looks Jeff in the eyes, staring him down.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Just a few short hours ago, our Mayor strapped one of his expensive silk ties around my balls.
And it hurts, Jeff.
It hurts real bad.
Lieutenant Palmer’s coffee is steaming hot.
JEFF
With all due respect, Lieutenant, this is bullshit.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Is it?
JEFF
Curt’s closed more cases than anyone in this building.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
That’s not the issue.
The issue is, Curt Delatte is a stubborn mother fucker.
He puts his coffee cup on the desk.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
He hasn’t picked up the phone in three weeks.
You expect me to keep him on the payroll?
Fuck that.
PAGE 9
Lieutenant Palmer shrugs.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
I’m not the asshole here, Jeff.
JEFF
Please, Lieutenant, give me a chance to bring him in.
Lieutenant Palmer walks toward his office door.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
You want to bring him in?
Fine.
Bring him in.
JEFF
And you’ll withdraw the termination?
Lieutenant Palmer turns to face Jeff.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Get him in here TODAY and I’ll delay the termination.
JEFF
But, Sir…
LIEUTENANT PALMER
One knot at a time, Jeff.
Lieutenant Palmer holds open the office door, his way of asking Jeff to leave.
LIEUTENANT PALMER
Curt is your headache now, not mine.
If I smell alcohol anywhere near that man, my sweatshop tie goes around YOUR balls.
JEFF
Thank you, Sir.
