Books: Making Comics by Scott McCloud

[woodwardiocom]

Making Comics by Scott McCloud
McCloud is the author of two prior works on the art of comics. His Understanding Comics was groundbreaking, and a must-read for anyone interested in the medium.	His Reinventing Comics . . . well, it had some interesting stuff to say, but it also had some dumb stuff to say. Most of his ideas about the economics of webcomics (for instance) are regarded as "pixie dust" (or worse) by actual webcomics creators.	Making Comics is a return to form. While not quite as groundbreaking as Understanding, this is largely because, well, the ground is already broken. This is a very cool book.
It covers a lot of the practical aspects of comics creation, such as . . .	. . . revisiting the six kinds of transitions (Moment to Moment, Subject to Subject, Scene to Scene, etc.) . . .	. . . when to use establishing shots, when to use establishing shots that "bleed" to the edges, when to use close-ups . . .
. . . why panel layouts like this one are a bad idea . . .		. . . and how to handle facial expressions and body language.
Plus, discussion of word ballons, the interdependency of words to pictures, the four things people try to accomplish with comics, and some practical adivce on tools (sable brushes, Cintiq monitors).	Since I'm not an artist, you may ask, "What did you get out of it, Jon?"
Well, as with Understanding, it helps with the act of reading comics, as well as creating them. I'll be better equipped to see what the creator is trying to accomplish.	Plus, I have some aspirations to write comics someday, and this book will help me communicate with the artist. (And it contains some advice on the script level, as well.)	So: If you have any interest in comics at all, highly highly recommended.

Comments

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

I'm planning on going to his talk at MIT tonight, and buying a copy (or two, as gifts) of this book, so thanks muchly for the review!

[(Anonymous)]

[beowabbit]

This was a very clever post! And informative, too!

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

Picked up a copy of the book at his talk last night.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, BTW.
I'd never heard of him, and every time I think of doing my own comic, I remember there's an art to storytelling that way that I don't really understand, and wish there was some book or tutorial on it. And...well, there you have it.

Added a couple to the wishlist.

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

well, there you have it.

[nods vigorously] You're welcome.

[drwex]

Rockin! me likee!