The first thing I want to talk about is how I make these comics. It all starts with a script. I'll get an idea, open my Notepad document titled "scripts.txt" and jot it down. Then I figure out how I can break the dialogue up into panels, and include some basic stage direction. I started with 4 panels, then expanded to 6. There's just more room to tell a joke with 6 panels. I always have a few ideas in reserve, so I can be choosy.
To actually create the comics, I use the DM Client in Neverwinter Nights 2, and Photoshop. The DM Client allows me to do a couple of things that I couldn't otherwise. As the DM, I can create or destroy any item, including characters, armor, weapons, and objects, as well as cast any spell in the game. I can also jump into any character in order to get the camera angles I want.
Once I have my actors where I want them and dressed properly, I make them do whatever it is they're going to be doing (like nodding, or scratching their head), pause the game, and then take my screenshots from a variety of different angles. I then repose or whatever and repeat the process for each panel in succession. This first comic in particular is kind of amazing that it came out as good as it did (at least, I think it came out pretty good), since I only took four screenshots. I don't know what I was thinking, I'd have wasted about an hour if they weren't any good.
Once I have my screenshots, I save my game (just in case), exit NWN2, and take a look at the shots. Sometimes I'll have multiple good shots for any given panel, sometimes there's only one decent one. I haven't had to go back and reshoot anything. Yet. Once I've found a good shot, I rename it "Panel 1.jpg" and so on.
Then I load up Photoshop, and bring all the pictures in. I crop them to 300 pixel x 300 pixel squares, then save them as .psd files. Once that's done, I add the text, make my word bubbles with the built in PS shape tools, and bold whatever text needs emphasis. I then save the files one more time, and flatten each image. I open my template (with the headings and guidelines and all that), and copy and paste the panels into it. I add the title of the comic, flatten it, and save the template as the new comic .jpg.
The first time I did this comic, the text was lower case with proper capitalization. I decided I didn't like that, and redid it in all caps.
Also, the outfit that the orc is dressed in is completely stock. The puffy shirt (a Jester's Outfit, I believe), teal cape, and jaunty feathered cap can all be purchased in NWN2 for a total price of around 200 gold. Then you, too, can look like a gay pirate.
Overall, this comic took me about 3 hours, mostly because of the learning process with the DM client and setting up my PS template.
