Books you absolutely must read
If you want to make comic
books, you really should do your homework first. If you read these books, you'll save yourself years of stumbling around
in the dark... or learn the hard way, how I did, by losing hundreds of dollars and precious
hours doing the same project three or four times until it's right.
- Making Comics
by Scott McCloud
Designed as a craftsperson's overview of the drawing and storytelling decisions and possibilities available to comics artists, covering everything from facial expressions and page layout to the choice of tools and
story construction, Making Comics, like its predecessors, is also an eye-opening trip behind the scenes of art-making, fascinating for anyone reading comics as well as those making them.
- Understanding Comics
by Scott McCloud
A comic book about comic books. McCloud, in an incredibly accessible style,
explains the details of how comics work: how they're composed, read and understood.
More than just a book about comics, this gets to the heart of how we deal with visual
languages in general. "The potential of comics is limitless and exciting!"
writes McCloud.
- Comics and Sequential Art
by Will Eisner --
Based on the popular course Eisner taught for several years at New York's
School of Visual Arts, this lovingly written book on visual storytelling
contains an accumulation of his ideas, theories and advice on the practice
of graphic story-telling and the uses to which the comic book art form can
be applied. Whether you're a film student, literature student, artist or
simply a fan of good storytelling, you'll love this book filled with Eisner's
cartoons.
- Graphic Storytelling
by Will Eisner
A companion to Comics & Sequential Art, this book takes the principles
examined in that title and applies them to the process of graphic storytelling.
Eisner shows comic artists, filmmakers and graphic designers how to
craft stories in a visual medium.
- Hopelessly Lost but Making Good Time
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 by Pam Bliss
Minicomics about making minicomics! You can order these for only
$2.00 each + $1.00 each shipping. Mail a check or money order to:
Pam Bliss
Paradise Valley Comics
PO Box 304
Valparaiso, IN 46384-0304 USA
paradisevalleycomics@yahoo.com
For mature readers only
Note to parents and librarians: These books, while indespensible for mature readers and
people who wish to self-publish professionally, contain language that is inappropriate for readers under sixteen.
- Cerebus Guide to Self-Publishing
by Dave Sim -- Say what you will about him, but Dave Sim has written an indespensible
tract in "Cerebus Guide to Self Publishing". Buy this five dollar book and read it
cover to cover at least three times before you even THINK about starting to self-publish
your own book. I mean it. I cannot tell you this stongly
enough. If you don't read this book you will be woefully unprepared for
the harsh, unglamorous realities of indie publishing. Many of the essays are now
available free online at the Memorial Notes from the President Archive.
- Come In Alone
I must highly recommend "Come In Alone" by Warren Ellis, for philosophy and more
harsh reality about why indie publishing is the way to go. Warren Ellis began his
series of columns for the comic book Internet destination website Comic Book
Resources. Part social commentary, part sitting at-the-feet-of-Socrates,
part kick in the ass, COME IN ALONE was the column that would zig when you
thought it would zag. This collection of all fifty-two columns includes Ellis'
unique take on the comic book industry, features first-class interviews with
top-flight comic book professionals, and even includes the legendary Old Bastard's
Manifesto. Wrap this all up in an evocative and spooky cover by Brian Wood, and
you've got a collection of commentary that midwifed the birth of the comic book
industry into the 21st century.
- Gods and Tulips
by Neil Gaiman - provides a staggeringly prophetic and accurate view of the 1990's comics
boom and bust, and explains why comics are meant for reading, and not for investing.
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