software to use when making a graphic novel?

[Spider]

im gona make a science fiction graphic novel. at the moment i want it to be 3d, as im a architecture student and i have knowledge in 3d design and rendering software. i was thinking of making the whole thing in google sketchup, and then rendering each scene. is this a good idea. what other software can you recommend. also i dont have alot of money, so it cant be too expensive, this is more of a hobby to me. my main influence are 3d cartoons like storm hawks