Ink Wash Comic Books with Midjourney
Using today’s Midjourney prompt we are going to create some really interesting ink wash images for comic books.
History of Comic Books
The history of comic books is a fascinating journey that spans over a century, intertwining with the cultural, social, and technological changes of the times.
The origins of comic books can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially, they appeared as reprints of newspaper comic strips in book form, known as comic strips or comic magazines. These early comics were primarily humorous in nature, featuring iconic characters like “The Yellow Kid” in the United States.
The 1930s marked a significant evolution in the comic book world with the introduction of the first superhero, Superman, in Action Comics #1 in 1938. This era, often referred to as the Golden Age of Comic Books, saw the birth of many other superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Captain America. These characters were not just entertainment; they often symbolized the fight against oppression and evil, resonating with the contemporary socio-political climate, including the years leading up to and during World War II.
Post World War II, the popularity of superheroes waned, and other genres such as crime, horror, and romance comics gained prominence. However, this period also saw the rise of concerns about the impact of comic books on youth, culminating in the establishment of the Comics Code Authority in 1954. This self-regulatory body imposed strict guidelines on comic book content, leading to a sanitization of the medium.
The 1960s and 1970s, known as the Silver Age and Bronze Age of comics, respectively, witnessed a resurgence of superheroes. Marvel Comics emerged as a significant player, introducing characters like Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four — characters with more complex personalities and problems relatable to the readers. This era also saw a shift towards a more sophisticated, sometimes darker storytelling approach.
The late 20th century brought further diversification and maturity to the medium. Graphic novels — extended, often standalone stories — gained popularity. “Watchmen” and “The Dark Knight Returns,” both from the 1980s, are landmark examples that showcased the potential of comic books as a serious literary form.
The 21st century has seen comic books permeate popular culture like never before, largely thanks to the adaptation of comic book characters and stories into blockbuster movies and television series. The digital age has also transformed the industry, with digital comics and webcomics becoming increasingly popular.
Throughout its history, the comic book industry has been shaped by societal changes, technological advancements, and the creative visions of writers and artists. From simple humorous strips to complex narratives, comic books have grown to become a significant and influential part of global culture, offering both entertainment and commentary on the human condition.
Example Images
Here is what we are going to create.
Midjourney Prompt
So here is the prompt I used:
Base Prompt
[SUBJECT] in the style of detailed ink wash comic book art, post-apocalyptic backdrops
/settings: Version 5.2 and Stylize Med.
So for the example images…
- red stilletos
- yellow boots
- two women
- woman
- green old man
- zombies
What Next?
As always, make the prompt your own and try a little tweak or two. My favorite from this batch — dogs in a city street, alien invasion
And Finally
If you like this prompt, don’t forget to add it to your copy of the AI Prompt Pod. If you don’t yet have a copy, you can find out more HERE.