Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud (2008-04-18) School & Library Binding – 1894

I had read Understanding Comics recently and thought, "Ok, I'm ready. But how do I begin." I started reading Making Comics, put a scrap paper marker in it and took it on our vacation. I didn't get any further because my husband, who is an Art professor, grabbed it just to see how it compared to Understanding Comics (he recommends UC quite often). Huzzah! Making Comics was better than he hoped. I didn't see the book again until this morning. He's almost finished reading it...I hope to get back to it soon. Haha.

If you’re an artist, read this book. If you’re NOT making a comic, read this book. So, I’m not making a comic, but I’ve heard a lot about this book. What I love is the breakdown of drawing concepts into easy to understand and easy to tackle steps. For example, when discuss facial expressions he breaks the topic into four parts 1. Kinds of expressions 2. Muscles 3. Rendering 4. Using expressions in comics. The list of expressions is the most extensive I’ve ever seen in an art book. I’ve read a lot of how-tos and character design books, but this is the only one I’ve seen help you understand how a variety of expressions are rendered on the face.So that’s an example of how this breaks down drawing concepts. He does this with every topic from writing, world building, and the business of comics. This is a must have.

Excellent, concisely written book. Provides a wonderful spectrum of suggestions, hints, and professional recommendations that assists in pointing an artist in going in a more effective story-telling direction. Touches on topics such as clarity, setting up the scenes, and learning the difference between throwing words and images on a piece of paper and "hoping" the audience gets it versus carefully thinking about, constructing, and presenting images and words effectively to convey a story. I've recommended this book to several other comic artists and writers!

I really love it BUT why can't this be an e-book for purchase too? I don't really want to purchase any more books. I live in a studio and carry a device to read comics and books.

I got this book for a Japanese culture class!I wasn't sure if this book would be good or not, but Scott McCloud really knows what he is talking about! It's super straightforward and easy to understand. He will show you what makes a good comic, and give you for components and formulas for being able to convey what you want graphically! I really like it. Even if you don't like reading or drawing your own comics (who doesn't!?) it's pretty interesting to know that there is an actual art to making comics (it sounds like a pun but I don't intend for it to be! haha).

What an invaluable resource! I am interested in creating my on webcomic but I wasn't sure how or where to start and this book has helped me figure it out! I read it in the span of a few days too because it just flows really well. I also love the bits of humor mixed in, it helps keep the learning portion very lively and entertaining.

If you want to know how to write and understand the mechanics of graphic novels, this is your go-to manual. The entire book is illustrated as the graphic novel so all the elements are immediately understood. My nine year old daughter consumed the chapters and created a comic strip at the end of every chapter. It helped me understand how best to write toward the frames and what words impact the most. Fantastic Book!

I first came across this book in my junior year of college - it was assigned to my animation class as a textbook. When I opened it, I was caught off guard by the fact that the entire book is done in a comic format. As I read, however, the decision to teach visually could not have been more justified."Making Comics" is one of, if not the, best-written sources for understanding visual storytelling that the market has to offer. McCloud begins by explaining the nature of comics - what they are, what different kinds of comics there are - and branches into incredibly detailed coverage of every aspect of the process of creating a comic. McCloud walks the reader through the mechanics of comics (how to frame, write, and illustrate comics most effectively) into the more tricky technical area of facial expressions and how to draw them with clear, practical, and humorous voice. Often, he will illustrate the points he makes within his own comic panels, or in a didactic side panel next to his own commentary. McCloud's guidance extends to how words interact with the art, how to create believable settings, understanding the available tools for creating comics, and a final overview of understanding the world of comics and the many different genres they branch into.To wit, this is a book I've returned to time and time again for reference - and I'm not a professional comic artist by any stretch. This is a valuable piece of reference material for anyone interested in storytelling, expression through visual means, and even some basic human psychology. Whether you're brand new to graphic novels or a longtime fan, this book will forever change how you experience comics in all their shapes and forms.