The Badge Archive

Activity Ideas

Listed under each requirement.
Leaders may also want to look at Help for the Comic Artist article with tips and tricks for this badge.

Step 1 – Delve into the world of comics

View comics in one activity (Collect comic strips from 7 different publications and compare, make a sticky note comic of at least three panels, visit with a comic artist, OR read about three artists in books/magazine/online articles).

RECOMMENDED: Comic Cards

• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  A Week of Comics – Scouts explore a week of comics and analyze how characters and storytelling make them engaging.
• Comic Basics – Scouts use a labeled comic to learn how images and words work together, then read a cartoon and write a funny caption.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Comic Cards – Scouts create quick sketches and combine them into comic strips using color-coded prompts.
• Comic Store Scavenger Hunt – Scouts explore a comic store and complete a scavenger hunt to discover different comic-related items.
• Comparing Comics – Scouts compare older and modern comics to explore how humor, characters, and storytelling have changed over time.
• Graphic Novel Basics – Scouts explore how a real comic artist turns ideas into a finished book.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Research a Comic Artist – Scouts research a comic artist to learn about their background, creative style, and influences.
• Solo Comparing Comics – Solo scouts compare older and modern comics to explore how humor, characters, and storytelling have changed over time using a worksheet.
• Watch Comic Artist Online – Scouts watch videos of comic artists sketching and talking about their work to learn how comics are made.

Step 2 – Choose a story to tell

Think of a topic that can be shown in pictures (something that happened to you or someone you know, a story from a movie or book, OR something make believe).

RECOMMENDED: Sticky Note Comics 

• Progressive Comic Art – Scouts take turns adding panels to each other’s comics in a group drawing game.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Sticky Note Comics – Scouts create a four-panel comic using sticky notes to tell a short story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Storyboard Comic – Scouts plan out their comic story using a storyboard sheet with space for scenes and notes.

Step 3 – Draw it out

Practice drawing or tracing characters 10-12 times, OR use a how-to instruction to draw a human or animal.

RECOMMENDED: Tracing Comics or How-To Characters

• 25 Expression Challenge – Scouts practice drawing different facial expressions to show emotion in their comic characters.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Free Draw Exercise – Scouts practice freehand drawing by sketching characters and refining their style through quick and focused exercises.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  How-To Characters – Scouts use a how-to guide to draw simple characters and explore their personal drawing style.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Tracing Comics – Scouts trace comic panels to explore how artists use shapes and lines to show emotion, action, and setting.

Step 4 – Frame it in four panels

Create a four panel comic about your topic from Requirement 2 and use different facial expressions and/or body postures.

RECOMMENDED: Mirror Expressions

• Mirror Expressions – Scouts observe and sketch facial expressions, then use them to create a four-panel comic strip that tells a story without words.
• Partner Positions – Scouts observe and sketch body movements, then use those poses to create a four-panel comic that tells a story through action.
• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Plan a Comic – Scouts explore how comic panels tell a story, then plan a four-panel comic using expressions, body language, and panel transitions.
• Transition Time – Scouts use emojis or simple shapes to sketch a four-panel comic using different types of panel transitions.

Step 5 – Add the words

Include dialogue, thought bubbles, OR captions in your four panel comic.

RECOMMENDED: Choose Comic Words

• _{((Similar to VTK/Handbook Suggestion))}
  Choose Comic Words – Scouts explore how comics use words, then add dialogue, thoughts, or narration to their four-panel comic strip.
• Draw a Complete 4-Panel Comic – Scouts use their storyboard to draw a comic with panels, pictures, and words.

Additional Resources:

These are activities associated with Comic Artist but do not fulfill any specific requirement.

• Comic Share and Snack – Scouts share their finished comics while enjoying a snack and reflecting on the creative process.

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For pre-planned meeting plans by others – see the Cadette Comic Artist page.

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