Comics & Narrative Practice
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Program-Page-Photo-Assets/Comics/Comics-Banner.jpg?w=1440&h=810&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1706219508&s=61e014c550cac572d0b7d2cd3c72aee6)
Use words and images to tell stories that captivate.
Learn how to tell powerful stories and create characters that leap to life from the pages of your comics and graphic novels. You’ll explore that, and more, in CCAD’s Comics & Narrative Practice program, as you develop a voice and a style that’s uniquely yours—and gain industry skills and knowledge, from pitching a story to crafting publisher-ready scripts to marketing your work. You’ll elevate your skills by learning to ink, color, and letter your comics. And you’ll do it under the guidance of our Comics faculty, who work with superhero powerhouses Marvel and DC; the iconic, creator-owned Image Comics; major children’s book publishers like Random House; and indie comics legend Fantagraphics.
In addition to all you do in the classroom, you’ll join a comics community that thrives on imagination—our hometown, Columbus, has the world’s largest comic book collection, at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and hosts an annual convention with the who's who of the comics world at the annual Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC).
You’ll also shape your creative career with regular weekly workshops led by industry titans from Marvel and DC, indie comics legends, and even manga-ka from Japan! Throughout your time in the Comics program, you’ll hone your craft among the best of the business, ensuring that by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to tell the stories you’ve dreamed of.
Comics & Narrative Practice Student Work
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Chroma_2024/Comics-Fletcher-Griffith_Genre_Comic_Colors-1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1713132483&s=2f047b47968d690c24175ecdd1d436f1)
The last Voyage of Jules Verne
Fletcher Griffith
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Eleanor-Hauck_Comic3_revised.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711040499&s=156bc7e4f7a25ddff180517cccb7a91b)
The Dollhouse
Eleanor Hauck
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Danny-Gomez-Rodriguez-Genre-Comic-Colors-Final.png?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711040147&s=4b4db8134c0ceb28a2cf8747134702b9)
WOESOFA TEENAGE ROMANCE
Danny Gomez Rodriguez
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Swearingen_Gillian_GenreComicColorPage1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711036236&s=02904097171ee7fd527c78a6799344c9)
Dear Diary
Swearingen Gillian
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Jagger_Stutzman_Spitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708035213&s=7257180b3093552a0bd03fa165068f7a)
Black Gold
Jagger Stutzman
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Jonas_Clagett_CNI2.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708034075&s=2af581dc341e8a24ed213751b01a9a45)
Boxerbob's Megaton Punch
Jonas Clagett
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Lucky_Christiansen_Spitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033898&s=bfd3924aa7b3587a20acbf5139bcfb66)
Over
Lucky Christiansen
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMCMegan_Zalenski_Spitball23-1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033630&s=ead42db900c71e47ee23009d48bec7d9)
Remains Forever
Megan Zalenski
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Skye_BerggrenSpiball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033157&s=6656bc8c3a701617351ecddd25baef01)
Refuge
Skye Berggren
![](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Tessa_LuicartSpitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1715262776&s=7a50420a56f47b03fcb4c45eeb464030)
A Story Ready To Be Told
Tessa Luicart
The last Voyage of Jules Verne
Fletcher Griffith
2024
Digital
![Comics Fletcher Griffith Genre Comic Colors 1](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Chroma_2024/Comics-Fletcher-Griffith_Genre_Comic_Colors-1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1713132483&s=2f047b47968d690c24175ecdd1d436f1)
The Dollhouse
Eleanor Hauck
2025
Digital
![Comics Eleanor Hauck Comic3 revised](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Eleanor-Hauck_Comic3_revised.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711040499&s=156bc7e4f7a25ddff180517cccb7a91b)
WOESOFA TEENAGE ROMANCE
Danny Gomez Rodriguez
2024
Digital
![Comics Danny Gomez Rodriguez Genre Comic Colors Final](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Danny-Gomez-Rodriguez-Genre-Comic-Colors-Final.png?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711040147&s=4b4db8134c0ceb28a2cf8747134702b9)
Dear Diary
Swearingen Gillian
2025
Digital
![Comics Swearingen Gillian Genre Comic Color Page1](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/Comics-Swearingen_Gillian_GenreComicColorPage1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1711036236&s=02904097171ee7fd527c78a6799344c9)
Black Gold
Jagger Stutzman
2023
Digital
![COMC Jagger Stutzman Spitball23](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Jagger_Stutzman_Spitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708035213&s=7257180b3093552a0bd03fa165068f7a)
Boxerbob's Megaton Punch
Jonas Clagett
2024
Ink/Digital color
![COMC Jonas Clagett CNI2](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Jonas_Clagett_CNI2.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708034075&s=2af581dc341e8a24ed213751b01a9a45)
Over
Lucky Christiansen
2024
Digital
![COMC Lucky Christiansen Spitball23](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Lucky_Christiansen_Spitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033898&s=bfd3924aa7b3587a20acbf5139bcfb66)
Remains Forever
Megan Zalenski
2023
Digital
![COMC Megan Zalenski Spitball23 1](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMCMegan_Zalenski_Spitball23-1.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033630&s=ead42db900c71e47ee23009d48bec7d9)
Refuge
Skye Berggren
2024
Digital
![COMC Skye Berggren Spiball23](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Skye_BerggrenSpiball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1708033157&s=6656bc8c3a701617351ecddd25baef01)
A Story Ready To Be Told
Tessa Luicart
2024
Digital
![A illustration of a young woman in a fantasy comic](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/art/Comics/COMC-Tessa_LuicartSpitball23.jpg?w=740&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1715262776&s=7a50420a56f47b03fcb4c45eeb464030)
Publications
Spaces to Make
Our campus has the tools and the spaces to help you make your vision real.
![CCAD Comics Classjpg](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Program-Page-Photo-Assets/Comics/Spaces-to-Make/CCAD_Comics_Classjpg.jpg?w=1440&q=90&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1706273671&s=c5767f92c34dbf1efadb7f5374a01bfe)
Make 2D works in our lab space, which offers scanners, black and white and color printers, drawing tables, open lounge space, a light table, drawing projectors, drawing tables, a cutting table, a mat cutter, cameras, and a cleaning sink .
![Comics Class Session1](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Program-Page-Photo-Assets/Comics/Spaces-to-Make/Comics_Class_Session1.jpg?w=1440&q=90&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1706273685&s=223443ea38e2e02767bb300b3738c4c7)
Bring your stories to life when you work in our computer lab, which features Cintiq monitors, ZBrush, and Adobe software for your use.
![CCAD Print Lab](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Program-Page-Photo-Assets/Comics/Spaces-to-Make/CCAD_PrintLab.jpg?w=1440&q=90&auto=format&fit=clip&dm=1706273678&s=f177852969bc966055d8d9f02b070e89)
You can create limited-run works using our printmaking lab and equipment.
Faculty
Meet the people who will help you along your creative and professional journey.
Adjunct Faculty
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Christian Casas[email protected]
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Eric Clift[email protected]
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MJ Damsen[email protected]
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Marina Harkness[email protected]
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Holly Kimbrell[email protected]
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Patrick Lay[email protected]
Course Spotlight
Comics Anthology Practicum
Team up with a professional comics/graphic novel writer to create illustrations for our annual comics anthology, Spitball. In addition to publishing, students will learn to market their work, both online and at comes and publishing trade shows and conventions.
Comics & Narrative Practice First Year Experience
Academic Year
Freshman Year - Fall
Course Title |
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2D Creative Practice |
Systems of Drawing |
Collaboration |
Mod Contemporary or Historical Art History |
Writing and the Arts |
Freshman Year - Spring
Course Title |
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Intro to Comics |
Drawing for Entertainment Design |
3D Making with Care |
History of Comics and Illustration |
Liberal Arts Self and Society Course |
Comics careers
After earning their BFA in Comics & Narrative Practice, our graduates leave ready to take on such roles as:
- Artist
- Character developer
- Colorist
- Comics illustrator
- Letterer
- Publisher
Recent employers
- Andrews McMeel Publishing
- BOOM! Studios
- DC Comics
- Freestyle Comics
- IDW Publishing
- Image Comics
- Marvel Comics
- Milkfed Criminal Masterminds
- Oaktree Comics
- Oni Press
- Random House Publishing
- Ten Speed Press
Comics & Narrative Practice News
![20200127 COLVA SP20 Video Shoot1 01](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/blog/20200127_COLVA_SP20_VideoShoot1_01.jpg?w=980&h=654&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1706128174&s=2bb2a05c23dc3f320734a3de8a8bb5ab)
Student Success
![20200127 COLVA SP20 Video Shoot1 01](https://ccad-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/blog/20200127_COLVA_SP20_VideoShoot1_01.jpg?w=980&h=654&q=90&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1706128174&s=2bb2a05c23dc3f320734a3de8a8bb5ab)