How to Make the Scenario the Main Character?

Have you ever imagined a comic where the true protagonist is not a caped hero, but an entire city? A world where buildings, streets, and architecture come to life, guiding the narrative and captivating the reader? In this fascinating article, we’ll immerse you in the art of turning the setting into the real main character of your stories.

We’ll discover the secrets of great drawing masters who have managed to create unique universes, where every corner tells a story and every building hides a mystery. Get ready for a journey through imaginary cities, reinvented architectural styles, and innovative narrative techniques that will transform the way you conceive scenarios in comics and illustration.

Are you ready to bring your own worlds to life and make your readers lose themselves in them? Join us on this creative adventure and discover how you can elevate your settings to the level of unforgettable protagonists. Let’s begin!

By Chuck Ross

Masters of the Setting: Artists Who Revolutionized the Role of Environment in Graphic Narrative

When we create our comics, we usually imagine them based on characters that will guide the story. In most comics, the one who leads the game is a character that the reader encounters issue after issue, adventure after adventure.

However, there is another way of thinking about a plot, one that has been masterfully explored by visionary artists like Francois Schuiten and Benoit Peeters in their “Obscure Cities” project. This series of fantastic comics, started in 1983 and still being produced today, revolutionizes graphic narrative by making the story revolve around different scenarios of an imaginary continent, located in a parallel world.

Schuiten and Peeters’ approach not only challenges traditional comic conventions but also opens up a world of possibilities for artists looking to innovate in their visual narrative. Want to take your scenarios to the next level? Discover how here. Next, we’ll explore some of the strategies these masters used to create fabulous scenarios that become the true protagonists of their stories.

The City as a Narrative Unit: Transforming Space into Protagonist

For Schuiten and Peeters, the setting is not a secondary element, but the central axis around which the entire narrative is organized. In “Obscure Cities,” each city becomes the unit that gives coherence and meaning to the story. Although these scenarios are entirely fictional, they are conceived with such detail and depth that they could exist in a universe parallel to ours.

Let’s think, for example, of Batman’s Gotham City. Although it doesn’t exist in reality, its somber aesthetic and imposing architecture are fundamental to narrating the Dark Knight’s adventures. Similarly, Schuiten and Peeters create cities that not only serve as a backdrop but determine the tone, atmosphere, and even the rhythm of the narrative.

In one of their stories, everything is circular and enveloping, from the architecture to the way events unfold. In another, square shapes predominate, which is reflected in a more structured and mathematical plot. This coherence between the design of the setting and the narrative is crucial to creating an immersive and convincing world.

The Perfect Synergy: Intertwining Environment and Plot

One of the most fascinating aspects of Schuiten and Peeters’ work is how they achieve a perfect symbiosis between the environment and the plot. For these artists, the creation process doesn’t begin with the search for spectacular or aesthetically impressive settings, but with choosing the environment that best suits the development of the narrative they want to tell.

This approach teaches us that the setting should be much more than a pretty background; it should be an active element that contributes to the meaning and emotional impact of the story. Click here to explore advanced scenario design techniques that enhance your visual narrative.

When thinking about your next project, consider how each element of the setting can reinforce the themes and tone of your story. A city of vertiginous skyscrapers for a story about unbridled ambition? A maze of narrow alleys for a plot of mystery and conspiracy? The possibilities are endless when you learn to see the setting as another character in your story.

Spatial Coherence: Key to a Credible Universe

Once you’ve chosen the type of universe you’ll develop, the next crucial step is to nurture it with details that give it the greatest possible credibility. Schuiten and Peeters emphasize the importance of creating a coherent space where characters can move and react with the same naturalness as they would in a real city.

To achieve this coherence, it’s essential to pay attention to every detail of the world you’re creating. From architecture to transportation, to the clothing of the inhabitants and everyday objects, everything must be part of a logical and well-thought-out ecosystem.

Some tips to ensure the coherence of your setting:

• Develop a system of internal rules for your world and stick to them.
• Create a “style book” for your universe, where you document aspects such as the color palette, predominant architectural styles, available technology, etc.
• Think about the history and evolution of your setting. How has it come to be as it is?
• Consider how the environment affects the daily lives of its inhabitants and reflect this in your designs.

Want to perfect the art of creating coherent worlds? Enter here for more resources.

Altering Reality: How to Create Unique Scenarios

One of the most effective techniques for creating impactful scenarios is to take elements from reality and alter them in unexpected ways. Schuiten and Peeters imagine “what if” in the evolution of architecture and technology, creating worlds that are both familiar and surprisingly different.

For example, imagine a world where the Eiffel Tower was not a unique construction, but the model for an entire generation of buildings. What would a city full of variations of this iconic structure look like? This type of mental exercise can lead you to create truly unique and memorable scenarios.

Some ideas for altering reality in your scenarios:

• Choose a point of historical divergence and explore how architecture and technology would have evolved.
• Combine architectural styles from different eras in unexpected ways.
• Introduce fantastic or futuristic elements into familiar environments.
• Play with the proportions and physics of your world to create impossible but visually striking landscapes.

Discover more about how to create unique and captivating scenarios here.

Radicalizing Historical Trends: A Journey to the Past to Create the Future

Researching historical trends can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for creating coherent and fascinating spaces. Schuiten and Peeters, for example, immersed themselves in futuristic projects conceived in the past, especially around 1900, to imagine their cities of the future.

This approach not only provides a solid foundation for creating scenarios but also adds a layer of depth and authenticity to your fictional world. By radicalizing historical trends, you can create universes that feel both familiar and completely new.

Steps to radicalize historical trends in your scenarios:

1. Research architectural and technological movements of the past.
2. Identify key elements or ideas that were not fully realized.
3. Imagine how these elements could have evolved if they had been taken to the extreme.
4. Incorporate these radicalized ideas into your scenario design, ensuring they integrate coherently with the rest of your world.

This method will not only help you create unique scenarios but can also add a fascinating layer of social or historical commentary to your work. Ready to dive into creating worlds based on historical trends? Explore more here.

Encompassing Styles: Creating Complete Visual Universes

For a scenario to truly become the protagonist of your story, it must have a total and enveloping presence. Schuiten and Peeters were inspired by encompassing artistic movements like Art Nouveau and Art Deco, which sought to involve all levels of reality in their aesthetics.

These styles were not limited to architecture but extended to all aspects of daily life: from urban furniture to the smallest and most personal objects. By adopting this approach in your scenarios, you can create a coherent and completely immersive visual universe.

Aspects to consider when developing an encompassing style:

• Architecture: From the most imposing buildings to the smallest details of facades and ornaments.
• Urban furniture: Streetlights, benches, signage, etc.
• Transportation: Vehicles, stations, infrastructure.
• Interiors: Furniture, decoration, appliances.
• Fashion and accessories: Clothing, jewelry, personal objects.
• Graphics and typography: Posters, advertisements, signage.

Remember that what’s important is not historical fidelity, but creating an architectural and visual environment that supports and enriches your narrative in every corner. Want to learn more about creating encompassing styles? Discover it here.

Scenarios of Power: When Architecture Tells a Story

Encompassing styles are not just an aesthetic tool; they can also be a powerful vehicle for conveying ideas about power, authority, and social control. Schuiten and Peeters were inspired by the “styles of power” used by authoritarian regimes, where the monumentality of architecture and the omnipresence of style sought to psychologically crush citizens.

By incorporating these elements into your scenarios, you can create environments that are not only visually striking but also communicate complex ideas about society, power, and resistance. This adds an additional layer of depth to your narrative, turning the scenario into a silent but powerful commentary on the themes of your story.

Considerations when creating scenarios of power:

• Scale: Use exaggerated proportions to create a sense of insignificance in the characters.
• Symmetry and repetition: Create visual patterns that suggest order and control.
• Open vs. closed spaces: Play with the feeling of exposure or confinement.
• Symbolism: Incorporate visual elements that represent ideologies or power systems.
• Contrast: Show the disparity between power structures and spaces inhabited by common citizens.

These scenarios of power not only create an impressive backdrop but also generate intriguing questions that can drive your narrative: How do characters react to this oppressive environment? What elements can disturb this seemingly unbreakable authority? Is it possible to fight against a scenario that seems to predetermine the fate of its inhabitants?

Intrigued by the idea of creating scenarios that tell stories of power? Delve deeper into the topic here.

Conclusion: The Art of Bringing Your Scenarios to Life

Throughout this article, we’ve explored the secrets of great masters like Schuiten and Peeters to turn the scenario into the true protagonist of a story. From conceiving cities as narrative units to creating encompassing styles and using architecture as social commentary, we’ve discovered a world of creative possibilities.

Always remember the importance of relating the environment to the plot, researching historical trends, and radicalizing tendencies to create unique and memorable scenarios. The key is to see beyond the superficial and understand how each element of the scenario can contribute to the narrative and the message you want to convey.

By applying these techniques and concepts in your own work, you’ll be able to elevate your scenarios from simple backgrounds to authentic characters that captivate your readers’ imagination. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take your ideas to the extreme; often, it’s at the limits of the imaginable where the most innovative and fascinating concepts are born.

Final Words: Your Journey Towards Extraordinary Scenarios

The secrets and strategies we’ve explored are just the beginning of your journey towards creating extraordinary scenarios. We invite you to immerse yourself in the comics of Schuiten and Peeters, as well as those of other masters of the genre, to see how these principles come to life in practice.

But most importantly, start imagining and creating your own universes. Every line you draw, every detail you add, is an opportunity to tell a unique and captivating story. Don’t be afraid to experiment, to mix styles, or to challenge conventions. Your unique vision is what will make your scenarios truly memorable.

Ready to take your scenario design skills to the next level? Discover additional resources here.

Remember, the true power of a scenario lies in its ability to transport the reader to a completely new and fascinating world. With practice, dedication, and a pinch of creative audacity, you too can create scenarios that not only complement your stories but become their true protagonists.

Now it’s your turn! Take this knowledge, let your imagination run wild, and start bringing to life worlds that captivate, inspire, and amaze your readers. The canvas is blank, and the possibilities are endless. What extraordinary universe will you create today?

Bibliography:

Dialogue between Francois Schuiten and Benoit Peeters, Totem magazine n°33, Rome, Nuova Frontiera, 1984. Edited in Comics for Survivors, Carlos Scolari, Buenos Aires, 1999.