Can someone give me comic advice?

I'm trying to be a comic artist but I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with scripts and characters. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to improve? Like what they do when they need an idea? Or characters? I know I could probably get a writer...

but I'd really like to try it out myself first...^_^; So if anyone would be willing to lend some advice I'd be very grateful. And it doesn't even have to be about the things I asked, just any comic/drawing advice you find useful would probably help me a lot. ^_^

Hi,
I'm not a comic artist myself, but I am a big fan of many comic series (any Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman).What I would suggest is you work from a pre-established script if possible (say, try a work which is in the public domain) and interpret that as you see fit.I know Gaiman and Moore do that a lot, Gaiman with the works of Shakespeare and Moore with myths (Promethea).
I would highly recommend the Divine Comedy by Dante as a starting point, and would urge you look at the illustrations by Gustave Dore.
http://dore.artpassions.net/
I believe that like any art, comics re-interpret older myths and contextualize them in a contemporary society.
I do hope this has helped.If I may be of further assistance just ask!
Best of luck

Remember somethings from your childhood that were funny or that someone you knew that was funny.