Average customer rating:
- A great book
- Learning the art of comics
- Unfair criticism, in my view
- Does not tell much.
|
How to Draw and Sell Comic Strips
Alan Mckenzie
Manufacturer: Titan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Cartooning
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Running Meetings & Presentations
| Skills
| Business & Investing
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ASIN: 184576076X |
Customer Reviews:
A great book.......2005-01-24
I first read this book in 1989 when I was 15...It was without doubt one of the most influential books of my life.
As a kid I'd already read tons of `how to draw' books but this one put me on the right track.
I've found that with some so called "how to" books they're often made by people out to make a quick buck, or they fall into the category of "if you cant do; teach."
Not here, this books the real deal.
Beautifully laid out and easy to follow with real advice that will help the budding artist or comic writer. The step by step process from script to final inked page of a short story about a samurai bodyguard was a highlight.
Also not only did it contain great tips and techniques it was full of inspirational artwork from some of the best artists in the medium.
Two years after discovering this book I was getting my work published.
I now work as a Cartoonist/ Graphic Artist and I owe a debt of gratitude to Alan McKenzie for writing this book.
I understand there is an updated version due out. I will definitely be purchasing a copy as sadly the version I originally read was stolen from my public library some years ago.
I look forward to reacquainting myself with this great book
Learning the art of comics.......2004-12-11
This book is fantastic for helping you to learn how to make comics, from start to finish. It goes over methods of inking, lettering, coloring, and more. The book also features ideas on storytelling and style, how to create mood and more. It also includes helpful information on how to submit your final product to publishers for consideration.
Overall, this is a great book for someone who wants an overview on how to make their own comics.
Unfair criticism, in my view.......2004-12-01
I have to take issue with "A Reader's" comments about my book. To begin with, the title of my book is "How to Draw and Sell Comic Strips", not "How to Draw". There are already dozens of books on the subject of drawing, so I concentrated more on the techniques used by professionals (who already know how to draw) when they draw comics. In fact, in the book I state, "In learning to draw comics there are two distinct stages: first you must learn how to draw; second, you must learn how to draw comics. Obviously, this book is concerned with the second stage."
Contrary to "A Reader's" assertions, "How to Draw and Sell Comics" does cover drawing, but it also spends some time on the vital aspect of storytelling, inking techniques, lettering techniques and colouring techniques. Too many aspiring comic strip artists spend all their efforts on the mechanics of pencilling without thinking about the story they're telling. "How to Draw and Sell Comics" attempts to give the reader a balanced and comprehensive tuition in the entire comic-making process.
The new edition - due out early next year - will also include more extensive coverage of creating comics digitally.
By all means criticise my work for the quality of the writing, for the subject matter covered or even for the spelling - but don't criticise the book for not being "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" ...
Does not tell much........2003-06-12
If you are interested in the history of comics then this is A great book for you. However if you are interested in drawing and selling comics you DO NOT want this book it says almost nothing about the actual drawing part. Although it does has A few helpful hints such as shadow, different inking styles and helping you decide whether you should use a brush, pen, or marker. All in all I decided it was not very good at all and think that How TO Draw Comics The MARVEL way would be A much better investment for anyone.
Customer Reviews:
Not a "How to Draw" Book...........2002-06-07
I was disappointed in this book after reading the great reviews printed here. This is not a "How to Draw" book at all, but focuses much more on the publishing/layout end of the comic book biz. Nothing like its title suggests: "How to Draw and Sell Comic Books." Sigh. What a let down.
The art instruction inside is minimal, and most of the art is fully completed and consists of comic panels and pages from comic books. Most of which, are well done - but failed to enlighten me.
For those interested in reading about comics, this might be the way to go. For those looking to learn drawing techniques, you'll probably be disappointed in this book. I know I was.
It was very good, even beter!.......1999-07-24
I loved it it was exalnt
This book focuses more on the technical aspect of Comics........1999-07-05
I used this book as one of four texts in my independent study in Sequential Art. Compared to Will Eisner's book, "Sequential Art", and Stan Lee's, "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way", Alan McKenzie's book provides much more detailed information on the technical aspects of Comic Books. There is better information on what tools to use, how to use them, how to get published, etc...The other books show only finished pieces of art, whereas this book actually shows the artist working on the art. I found that aspect very helpful.
A good book for the learning process of drawing cartoons.......1998-07-10
The book is an easy way of getting started with comics. From the tools to the advanced sketches. The book is built up in a way that does not seem messy. This is a good handbook. It is always easy to find the passages that you need. An excellent book with only one bad thing. It would have been good to see some other ways of cartooning from other artists. But still a good buy! :-)
Book Description
-Expertly written in an entertaining and easily accessible way
-Contains detailed instruction on how computers are applied to the creative process
-Includes step-by-steps and finished examples by legendary artists Chester Gould, Will Eisner, Steve Ditko, Winsor McCay, Robert Crumb, and Tod McFarlane
Artists will discover how to create great comics and make a career out of doing so with this completely revised and updated classic. Written by Alan McKenzie, a renowned expert in the comics industry, and packed with superb illustrations by other leading industry professionals, How to Draw and Sell Comics takes readers step by step through the entire comics-creating process. Readers will learn to:
-Develop dynamic characters
-Understand comic book storytelling conventions
-Pace a story, lay out the page, and add dialogue
-Grasp techniques for penciling, inking and coloring-by hand or computer
-Apply their work to different genres, from newspaper strips to graphic novels
McKenzie also features essential information on going pro, and including setting up one's own magazine, budgeting, and copyright issues.
How to Draw and Sell Comics is the complete guide to creating comics, from writing the story and designing the characters to lettering and coloring the final artwork.
Customer Reviews:
One book, two editions, many uses.......2007-06-01
I bought two books with this title: McKenzie's original (used, hardcover); and McKenzie's third edition (new, paperback). Either would be a very good resource for an aspiring cartoonist (or manga-ka). The third edition includes an expanded history of comics section, covering what happened since the first publication date. The newer book also has a new layout. For me, the best feature of the newer edition was the updated graphics, particularly the illustration of a typical 32-page American comic. The older book appeals to me more, probably because I remember quite a few of the historical comics used as examples. The older of the two editions also focuses on the black-on-white styles of older American comics: making it a source of information and inspiration for manga-ka wannabes like me, who want to fuse Eastern and Western graphic styles (think Cowboy BeeBop meets Flash Gordon).
Both books introduce traditional pigment-on-paper graphic techniques and materials, and give a survey of the culture and economics of the comics culture.
One of the best in its field.......2007-01-15
I don't know why this book on comic art is not more popular than it is. For anyone who wants to enjoy drawing comic art, I can't think of another title I would rather have.
I bought the first edition several years ago, and thought it was excellent at the time. I recently came across the third edition in the library -- at first I didn't recognize it because of the new cover and format -- and was blown away. It is even better then the original version.
It includes discussions of subjects that are rarely seen in other, more basic titles -- script writing, the pacing of a single issue (which I've never read anywhere else), and the creation of memorable, likable characters.
All in all, highly recommended.
Excellent, though overlooked........2006-12-28
McKenzie's book is excellent and thorough, and belongs on the shortlist of good "how to draw comics" books, alongside COMICS AND SEQUENTIAL ART, MAKING COMICS, and the underrated HOW TO DRAW COMICS THE MARVEL WAY. I'm not sure why it hasn't garnered more attention; perhaps it's because McKenzie isn't well-known on the American side of the pond. The nuts-and-bolts, hands-on advice is especially useful as a supplement to the more theoretical advice often found in other books. Good tips from a seasoned artist. I learned from this book as a teen, and now I draw comics professionally.
(Note: I haven't read the updated 2005 edition, with advice about computers and examples by American cartoonists like Todd McFarlane, so I couldn't say how it stacks up against the first edition.)
Book Description
In recent years, the computer has become an all-important cartoonist's medium, and this practical, hands-on guide shows how to create professional quality digital cartoons. The author opens with advice on setting up a digital studio and gives tips on how to work smart, work fast, and keep operating expenses low. He follows with advice on transform-ing good graphic ideas into finished work, training the imagination, striving for original-ity, and developing the technique of self-criticism. Other details covered include planning and writing scripts, writing captions for single-frame cartoons, storyboarding, making preliminary sketches on the computer, and mastering line art, color, and 3D techniques. Finally, he offers detailed advice on how to get one's digital art seen by potential buyers, how to get it published, how to set fees, and the importance of time management and meeting deadlines. Here is a textbook and reference volume for today's cartoonist, with information and advice that will remain pertinent for years to come. Approximately 400 illustrations in both color and black and white.
Customer Reviews:
what happened to the selling?.......2006-06-01
I subtracted one star because the author heavily favors drawing with pencil and paper and then scanning the image into the computer and going digital from there. You can scan the Mona Lisa into the computer, that doesn't make Da Vinci a digital artist. I felt it also gave short shrift to vector based art, as a result of the paper & pencil origins.
From four stars, I cut the rating in half, because there is only half a book here. If it had been called "How to Draw Digital Cartoons" I would have left it at four stars, but the title says "and Sell" so I expected something about selling. In fact, that's really what I was looking for in this book. There are only three pages about making money, and over 1 page of that is graphics. The bottom line, apparently, is that you won't make money with digital cartoons. Fine. But if that's the case, then the title is very misleading.
Great overall introduction.......2005-08-22
We first checked this book out of the library (I have an 11-yr-old would-be cartoonist son), then ended up buying our own copy. Great introduction to different cartooning styles, composition, and a better hands-on description of using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator than you find in the owner's manuals! Nice layout, colorful, thick, glossy pages. Beautiful book and useful reference.
Beautiful, fascinating and useful!.......2004-09-26
This is an excellent look at the multi-faceted concerns of those interested in digital cartoons and comics, from inspiration to drawing, page layout, computer techniques, character design, coloring and publishing, both on the web and in print.
It's wide-ranging enough to touch on almost all aspects of the creation of digital comics, but focused enough to deal with specific techniques.
A fascinating and highly useful book that's also chock-full of beautiful digital art by many of the leading digital cartoonists and comics artists.
Average customer rating:
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How to Draw and Sell Comic Strips
Manufacturer: North Light Books,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Cartooning
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| General
| Guides
| Interviewing
| Job Hunting
| Job Markets & Advice
| Resumes
| Vocational Guidance
| Volunteer Work
ASIN: 0356138798 |
Book Description
Instructive text and images of major tools and equipment make this comprehensive resource essential to every digital photographer's library. With it, they can master both the technical and creative aspects of lighting through a combination of traditional photographic skills and the limitless possibilities of digital technology. Three-hundred-and-fifty photographs--including before and after shots--and expert information demonstrate the key techniques. The full spectrum of light, and how the camera measures it, is explained, along with advice on achieving color accuracy. Photographers can experiment with natural light, bright or dim; explore frontal versus side lighting; and see what can be done indoors using window techniques, tungsten light, flash, candlelight, and post-production techniques. Here's how to make the most out of built-in and portable flashes, fluorescent and studio lights, diffusion, and every possible aspect of photographic lighting.
Customer Reviews:
Full of good ideas.......2007-09-01
Full of good ideas -- but if you want to really understand light and exposure on a digitil slr, go first to Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition).
A superb work on the subject of Lighting...and Light.......2006-06-27
A very tight, concise, easy to understand yet very well established book. Lark Books have a nice series on photography and should be taken seriously.
A wonderful overview of both Studio and Natural lighting. Something of a Masterwork really.
Congratulations to Michael Freeman and Lark Photograghy!
Excellent introduction to lighting.......2006-03-27
Very basic, not quite enough detail, but still an excellent introduction to lighting for beginners. You should start here, learn the basics, and then explore other resources to improve your skills.
Michael Freeman's Close-Up Photography.......2004-08-27
Michael Freeman is the author of the "Digital Photography Expert" series. Previous books in this series are "The Complete Guide to Digital Photography" and "Nature and Landscape Photography." As the third book in this series, "Close-Up Photography" is, of course, geared especially to the digital photographer.
"Close-Up Photography" is both a how-to book and a reference book for photographers interested in close up images. As the principles of close-up techniques are similar regardless of the camera type, I think this book would be almost as useful to film users as to digital photographers.
Freeman goes into detail about the focus, lighting, and backgrounds of subjects in macrophotography, issues that are common to film and digital users alike. The remainder of the book is divided between still life setups and natural settings. He supplies how-to techniques for photographing several specific items, such as shiny objects, food, liquids, coins, stamps, jewelry, plants, aquaria, shells, and gems.
Freeman writes in such a way that even a novice photographer could comprehend his techniques and principles. Yet at the same time, there is information for the more advanced photographer. The author neither talks down to nor talks over the head of the reader. He explains many elementary things, so the reader is not necessarily expected to be sophisticated. In general, Freeman's writing style is very readable and understandable, even by a non-techie like me.
Freeman utilizes many photographs to illustrate his text. The substantial captions provide much useful information. In addition, there are illustrations showing photographic setups, so the reader can easily see how to duplicate the techniques.
Finally, Freeman has a useful index, which adds to the value of the book for me. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in photographing objects closely. I would refer to it from time to time.
the best pictorial guide to understand lighting.......2004-05-10
If you like "scientific" explanations, "Light: science & magic" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua (ISBN 0-240-80275-6) will be a better choice.
If you're lazy and want a "cookbook", rather than understanding, search for this key word -- there are plenty of books showing a scene and how (authors thinks) lights were set for each particular picture they chosen (and, boy, how often they're wrong!).
If you're ready to take a little effort to understand how lighting works, and prefer pictures and charts with short comments over any other style of explanation, this book is the best I've ever seen (and I've looked through a lot of them).
Average customer rating:
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Avengers Legends Volume 3: George Perez Book 1 TPB (Avengers Visionaries)
Jim Shooter
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Superheroes
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Marvel
| Publishers
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
Look Inside Entertainment Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Avengers: The Serpent Crown
-
Avengers Assemble, Vol. 1
ASIN: 0785109994 |
Average customer rating:
- Perez really has come far since his early Avengers days...
- good enough for me
- good enough for me
- This is the Basis for Today's Avengers
- Accent On The First E
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Avengers Visionaries: George Perez (Avengers Series)
Jim Shooter ,
David Michellnie , and
Kurt Busiek
Manufacturer: Marvel Entertainment Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Illustration
| Commercial
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Comics & Graphic Novels
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comic Strips
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Marvel
| Publishers
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Busiek, Kurt
| ( B )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Teen Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Avengers: The Serpent Crown
-
Planetary Vol. 3: Leaving the 20th Century
ASIN: 0785107177 |
Customer Reviews:
Perez really has come far since his early Avengers days..........2004-06-26
I'd purchased Avengers Visionaries: George Perez largely because it reprinted many of issues that came out when I was heavily into comic collecting years and years ago. I'd also recently purchased Avengers: Ultron Unlimited, and had gotten a bit of a taste for George Perez's outstanding artwork.
This title reprints a number of classic old Avengers tales, featuring the Living Laser (and the Serpent Crown), Nuklo, Ultron, Dr. Spectrum, the Taskmaster, and a number of stories featuring the whole Ant-man/Yellowjacket/Hank Pym story arc. There's also a funny little vignette featuring Jarvis, the Avengers' butler.
Upon re-reading these stories for the first time in years, two things struck me: first, the degree of continuity with the stories in this title and that featured in Avengers: Ultron Unlimited is amazing. The characters are roughly the same, and many of the events that are rehashed in Ultron Unlimited actually happen in Visionaries: Perez. It really is a tribute to Perez and Kurt Busiek that they're so good about continuity, even after all these years have passed.
The second thing I noticed was that Perez's art in the early days was really a shadow of what he produces now. Yes, it's good, but it seems a bit one-dimensional compared to his more recent work in the Avengers and the Titans. With all of that in mind, it's nice to see where he started and how much he's progressed. In fact, you can even see how Perez starts to come into his own style in Visionaries: Perez. The title spans a four year time period from 1976 to 1980, starting with Avengers #161 and #162, Annuals #6 and #8, back to Avengers #194, #195 and #196, and finishing up with #201.
Avengers Visionaries: George Perez is good, but it's even better if you have Avengers: Ultron Unlimited, so you can see the progress of the team, and also the artist.
good enough for me.......2001-01-26
nothing wrong with this comic book , nothing at all , it serve as good example of the qualities that made the avengers what they are & more, and that's all I have to say .
good enough for me.......2001-01-22
nothing wrong with this comic book , nothing at all , it serve as good example of the qualities that made the avengers what they are & more, and that's all I have to say .
This is the Basis for Today's Avengers.......2000-08-08
When current Avengers scribe, Kurt Busiek, was reading comics these are the issues that he formed his Avengers ideas. The team that appears here is the team Busiek uses today. This was definitely George Perez's best work. Much better than today's work, which is at the top of industry. The tales were definately enjoyable and I recomend this book to any fan of the Avengers.
Accent On The First E.......2000-04-10
The greatest superhero comic in the world right now is George Perez and Kurt Busiek's Avengers, Volume 3. These two masters are providing more storytelling excellence and excitement in 22 pages a month than 100 issues of any other comic for sale right now.
This book shows the development of the legendary skills of George Perez, on the title that made him famous to not one but two generations of comic readers. It reprints Volume One issues 161, 162, 194, 195, 196, a short Jarvis story from 201, and Annuals 6 and 8. The inking is inconsistent, with the best being Pablos Marcos's inking on 161 & 162 and Joe Rubenstein's inking on 194. The rest can be pretty rough, but you still get to see the development of one of the greatest comics storytellers of all time.
Average customer rating:
- weak and derivative
- Funny IF You Like Sesame Street
- A gem of a read
- Hilarious!
- so funny
|
The Dittohead Guide To Adult Beverages
Britt Gillette
Manufacturer: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Spirits
| Drinks & Beverages
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Cooking
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Political
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1589395751 |
Customer Reviews:
weak and derivative.......2005-12-30
the reviews the author anonymously wrote are far better and more amusing than the book, which , if you read it, or worse buy it and read it, you'll need that drink after all.
exclamation!
Funny IF You Like Sesame Street.......2005-01-12
Simplistic Third-Grade level writting. Based on previous reviews I was expecting more, but they must have been written by friends and family. This was a big waste of my time.
A gem of a read.......2004-05-17
I've read a lot of books in my day and this one is one of the funniest! Fans of The Rush Limbaugh Show will love to delve into this masterpiece of political humor which utilizes all the essentials from the Limbaugh Lexicon. One also must appreciate the author's pursuit of his passion in creating this book and his 'own job'. The Dittohead Guide To Adult Beverages is living proof of the positive influence Rush Limbaugh is having on America. Read this book!
Hilarious!.......2004-05-14
This book is hilarious! The 'adult beverage' recipes are outrageous, with names like 'John F'ing Kerry' and 'Oval Orifice'. This is a must have and an impossible to put down book if you've ever listened to Rush Limbaugh. Kudos to the author for creating a cool product and for forging his own way in the American economy. This is sure to do well for him.
so funny.......2004-05-11
This book is so funny. I listen to Rush everyday and the book could not be better. Some of the passages made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. I'm fascinated by the writer's personal story and his sense of humor. Every Rush fan should read this (Britt Gillette's website is a good place). The definitive source of laughter for daily Limbaugh listeners.
Books:
- How to Fold (Agile Rabbit Editions)
- In for a Penny, in for a Pound: The Adventures & Misadventures of a Wireless Operator in Bomber Command
- Julia Morgan, Architect of Dreams (Lerner Biographies)
- Karl Bodmer's North American Prints
- Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos: Trumpet (Book & CD)
- Loss Within Loss: Artists in the Age of AIDS (Living Out)
- Mapping Benjamin: The Work of Art in the Digital Age (Writing Science)
- Markers: The Materials, Techniques, and Exercises to Teach Yourself to Draw and Paint With Markers (I Draw, I Paint Series)
- Markus Raetz: In the Realm of the Possible
- May I Quote You, General Longstreet: Observations and Utterances of the South's Great Generals (May I Quote You--?,)
Books Index
Books Home
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- The First-Time Homeowner's Handbook: A Complete Guide and Workbook for the First-Time Home Buyer
- I Spy Treasure Hunt
- Be a Kickass Assistant: How to Get from a Grunt Job to a Great Career
- Cationic Surfactants
- Divergent Modernities: Culture and Politics in Nineteenth-Century Latin America
- History: Fiction or Science
- Goat Handbook
- Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons
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