Prologue Writing Techniques: Hook Readers From the First Page

A prologue is your first promise to readers. Before they meet your protagonist, before the main story begins, you’re asking them to trust that what follows will be worth their time. Strong prologues create instant investment. Weak prologues get skipped—or worse, cause readers to abandon your comic entirely.

This guide covers when prologues work, when they don’t, and how to write ones that hook readers immediately.

What Prologues Do

Prologues serve specific narrative functions that Chapter 1 can’t easily accomplish.

The Distant Past Setup

Events from before the main story that readers need to understand:

• Origin of the conflict
• Historical context
• How the world reached its current state
• Formative events for characters we’ll meet later

The In Media Res Hook

Starting with a dramatic moment to grab attention:

• Action scene that raises questions
• Climactic moment from later in the story
• High-stakes preview of what’s coming
• Mystery or danger that demands explanation

The Different Perspective

Introducing story through someone other than the protagonist:

• Victim of the threat
• Observer of key events
• Character who dies before main story
• Person whose life intersects with main plot

The Tone Setter

Establishing mood and genre expectations:

• Horror prologue promises horror tone
• Action prologue promises action story
• Mystery prologue promises mysteries to solve
• The prologue prepares readers for what kind of experience they’re entering

The World Introduction

For complex settings needing explanation:

• Magic system basics
• Political situation
• Technology level
• Key rules readers need

When to Use a Prologue

Not every comic needs a prologue. Ask yourself:

You Need a Prologue When:

Essential backstory can’t fit naturally into Chapter 1. If readers need to know about events from twenty years ago, showing those events may work better than characters explaining them later.

Your Chapter 1 starts slowly by necessity. Some stories need quiet openings—prologues can provide action while the real story builds.

The hook requires context. If your most dramatic element won’t make sense without setup, a prologue can provide that foundation.

A different POV perspective adds value. Sometimes seeing events from outside the protagonist’s view creates useful dramatic irony.

Genre conventions expect it. Fantasy readers, particularly, often expect prologues that establish scope and stakes.

You Don’t Need a Prologue When:

Chapter 1 is already hooking. If your first chapter grabs readers, a prologue may dilute that impact.

The information can be woven in later. Backstory sprinkled throughout often works better than front-loaded.

You’re delaying the real story. If readers are waiting through the prologue to meet your protagonist, something’s wrong.

It’s just fancy Chapter 1. If your “prologue” is really just your beginning, call it Chapter 1.

Types of Prologue Hooks

Different hook strategies serve different purposes.

The Mystery Hook

Present a question readers must answer:

• Who did this?
• Why did this happen?
• What does this mean?
• Who is this person?

The main story should eventually answer these questions.

Example setup: A dying figure gasps a cryptic warning. What do they mean? Who are they warning?

The Action Hook

Immediate high-stakes conflict:

• Battle already in progress
• Chase underway
• Disaster unfolding
• Confrontation at peak intensity

The energy carries into Chapter 1 even if the pace slows.

Example setup: Warriors clash in desperate combat. We don’t know why yet, but the stakes feel real.

The Dread Hook

Something terrible is established or foreshadowed:

• The villain’s power demonstrated
• A curse or prophecy revealed
• The scope of the threat shown
• Inevitable doom approaching

Readers fear for characters they’ll meet later.

Example setup: A kingdom falls to dark forces. We know the evil exists before heroes emerge to fight it.

The Promise Hook

Preview of the story’s best elements:

• Flash-forward to exciting moment
• Glimpse of the adventure ahead
• Taste of the world’s wonders
• Characters at their most compelling

Readers know what they’re working toward.

Example setup: The protagonist in their final form, facing their greatest challenge. How did they get here?

The Contrast Hook

Show how different things were before:

• Peaceful world before destruction
• Character before transformation
• Relationship before betrayal
• Normal life before adventure

The fall or change becomes more impactful.

Example setup: A happy village, soon to be destroyed. Readers know loss is coming.

Visual Prologue Techniques

Comics offer unique prologue approaches.

The Wordless Prologue

Images alone establish mood and situation:

• Maximum visual impact
• Universal accessibility
• Atmospheric establishment
• Trust in your art

Works best when visuals are strong and story is visually clear.

The Montage Prologue

Quick cuts between images establishing scope:

• World overview
• Multiple locations
• Passage of time
• Simultaneous events

Efficient for epic scope setup.

The Single Page Prologue

One page that does all prologue work:

• Maximum efficiency
• High-impact image
• Essential information only
• Doesn’t delay main story

Works for simple setups that don’t need extensive development.

The Different Art Style Prologue

Visual distinction between prologue and main story:

• Sepia or monochrome for past events
• Different rendering style for different era
• Sketchy vs. refined for memory vs. present
• Clear visual signal that this is separate

Helps readers track what’s prologue vs. main story.

The Prophecy/Legend Prologue

Illustrated mythology or text:

• World’s mythology established
• Prophecy that drives plot
• Historical record
• In-world document

Can efficiently deliver backstory while building atmosphere.

Prologue Length

Length should match purpose.

The One-Page Prologue

For simple hooks or mood establishment:

• Single impactful image
• Brief scene
• Quick tonal setup
• Doesn’t test patience

The Short Prologue (3-5 Pages)

For most purposes:

• Complete scene
• Sufficient hook development
• Doesn’t overstay welcome
• Leaves readers wanting main story

The Chapter-Length Prologue

For complex setup needs:

• Full arc or sequence
• Extensive world/backstory establishment
• Risk of delaying main story too long
• Must be compelling as standalone

The Extended Prologue

Multiple chapters before main story:

• Significant prequel content
• Major investment before protagonist appears
• Very high risk of losing readers
• Must be exceptional

Generally, shorter is better. Get to your main story.

Connecting Prologue to Main Story

The prologue shouldn’t feel disconnected from what follows.

Direct Connection

Prologue events directly lead to Chapter 1:

• Prologue disaster causes Chapter 1 situation
• Prologue character is Chapter 1 protagonist
• Prologue ends with setup for Chapter 1

Advantage: Clear relevance, no confusion Risk: Can feel predictable or too simple

Thematic Connection

Prologue establishes themes that recur:

• Similar situations faced differently
• Parallel character dynamics
• Thematic questions introduced
• Motifs that repeat

Advantage: Sophisticated, rewards attention Risk: Connection may feel weak to casual readers

Mystery Connection

Prologue raises questions answered later:

• Who was that character?
• What caused those events?
• How does this relate to main story?
• Connection revealed as twist

Advantage: Builds intrigue, rewards patience Risk: Readers may forget prologue by reveal time

Callback Connection

Prologue events return later:

• Prophecy fulfilled
• Characters reappear
• Events’ true significance revealed
• Prologue scene repeated from new perspective

Advantage: Satisfying payoff Risk: Long wait between setup and payoff

Common Prologue Mistakes

Mistake: The Infodump Prologue

Problem: Prologue is just exposition about history, magic systems, or world details. No story, no hook, just information.

Fix: Information should emerge through story. Even worldbuilding prologues need drama.

Mistake: The Skippable Prologue

Problem: Prologue doesn’t affect understanding or enjoyment of main story. Readers who skip it miss nothing.

Fix: Prologues should contain something readers need—either plot information or emotional setup.

Mistake: The Better-Than-Main-Story Prologue

Problem: Prologue is so exciting that Chapter 1 feels like a letdown. The hook was too good.

Fix: Chapter 1 must maintain prologue’s energy level or have its own compelling elements.

Mistake: The Confusing Prologue

Problem: Readers have no idea what they just read, who anyone was, or why it matters.

Fix: Clarity is essential. Even mysterious prologues need something concrete for readers to grasp.

Mistake: The Unconnected Prologue

Problem: Prologue never pays off. Characters, events, or setup never return in meaningful ways.

Fix: Every prologue element should connect eventually. Remove what doesn’t pay off.

Mistake: The Endless Prologue

Problem: Prologue goes on so long readers forget they haven’t started the real story yet.

Fix: Get to the main story faster. Ruthlessly cut prologue content that isn’t essential.

Testing Your Prologue

Evaluate your prologue critically.

The Skip Test

Imagine readers skipping your prologue entirely. Can they follow the story? If yes, consider whether the prologue is necessary. If it is necessary, make it unwise to skip.

The Standalone Test

Does your prologue work as a complete piece? It should have beginning, middle, end, even if brief. A prologue that just stops isn’t satisfying.

The Promise Test

What does your prologue promise? Does your main story deliver on that promise? Prologues create expectations—make sure you fulfill them.

The Hook Test

Show your prologue to someone who doesn’t know your story. Do they want to read more? If not, the hook isn’t working.

The Patience Test

How long until readers meet your protagonist and main plot? If it’s too long, readers may never get there.

Serial Format Considerations

Webcomics and serialized formats have specific prologue challenges.

Webtoon First Episode

Your first episode is your prologue, essentially:

• Must hook readers immediately
• Competes with thousands of other first episodes
• Readers deciding whether to subscribe
• Can’t assume patience for slow burns

Consider whether separate “prologue” content should just be your first chapter.

The Posted-First Problem

In serial format, your prologue may be alone for weeks:

• Must satisfy on its own
• Can’t rely on Chapter 1 to contextualize
• Readers judge entire comic by prologue
• First impressions are everything

Serial Pacing

Weekly/episode format changes prologue math:

• One week of prologue feels longer than in a book
• Readers may lose interest between prologue and Chapter 1
• Consider integrated approach rather than separate prologue

Platform First Impressions

On platforms like Webtoon, Tapas, or others:

• Thumbnail is first hook
• Title is second hook
• First scroll is third hook
• Prologue must work within platform conventions

Collaborative platforms like Multic let creators test different opening approaches with feedback before finalizing.

Planning Your Prologue

Integrate prologue planning with overall story development.

When to Write It

Different approaches work for different creators:

Write prologue first: Know your hook, write toward it Write prologue last: Know what setup main story needs Write prologue during Chapter 1: Discover what’s missing

No approach is wrong—find what works for your process.

What Must It Accomplish

List specific goals:

• What information must readers have?
• What emotions must they feel?
• What questions should they ask?
• What promises are you making?

Everything in your prologue should serve these goals.

What Can Come Later

Some setup can wait for Chapter 1 or beyond:

• Character details
• World complexity
• Backstory depth
• Relationship history

Don’t front-load everything. Save some for later.

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Related: Plot Pacing Techniques and Worldbuilding for Comics