Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond - Softcover

Jessica Abel; Matt Madden

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1596431318 ISBN 13: 9781596431317

Publisher: First Second, 2008

Synopsis

Drawing Words and Writing Pictures is a course on comic creation - for college classes or for independent study - that centers on storytelling and concludes with making a finished comic. With chapters on lettering, story structure, and panel layout, the fifteen lessons offered - each complete with homework, extra credit activities and supplementary reading suggestions - provide a solid introduction for people interested in making their own comics. Additional resources, lessons, and after-class help are available on the accompanying website, www.dw-wp.com.

About this title

Review:

The passion for comics is surging worldwide, what with the popularity of manga and graphic novels and memoirs. Abel, whose graphic novels include "La Perdida" (2006) and "Life Sucks" (2008), and Madden, creator of the unusual "99 Ways to Tell a Story" (2005), make learning the art of comics fun and exciting in this exceptionally well designed and friendly how-to. Present on the page as comic figures, Abel and Madden present expertly configured sequences of skill-building exercises and assignments, and encourage both novices whose drawing skills may be minimal but whose story ideas are compelling, and those adept at visual art but shaky on narrative. Numerous examples of comics rendered in a broad spectrum of styles and perspectives, and exploring a wide array of subjects and genres, accompany and reinforce detailed instructions. Lively, sophisticated, and comprehensive, Abel and Madden's course in visual storytelling covers every narrative and graphic element, from drawing figures and character development to panel transitions, composition, lettering, depicting action, and penciling and inking techniques. Technically precise, zippy, and inspiring, this is an outstanding teaching book. --Booklist

About the Author:

Drawing Words and Writing Pictures was created by comics superstars Jessica Abel and Matt Madden and based on their classes at the School of Visual Arts. Editors of the "Best American Comics" series and creators of a number of groundbreaking graphic novels including "99 Ways to Tell a Story" (by Matt Madden) and "La Perdida" (by Jessica Abel), Abel and Madden are always at the forefront of the comics industry.

About this edition

• Publisher: First Second
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1596431318
• ISBN 13: 9781596431317
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384