Writers on Comics Scriptwriting - Softcover

Salisbury, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184023069X ISBN 13: 9781840230697

Publisher: Titan Books Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

The biggest names in comics scriptwriting talk candidly and frankly about their profession, their approach to writing and the comics industry as a whole. Through a series of interviews, these luminaries in the comics field reveal the mechanics of writing for comics and, in the process, a great deal about themselves. Packed with personal information, contentious views and humorous anecdotes, this is both an exploration of the writer's craft and a who's who of the hottest comics' talent around today, for fans, professionals, would-be writers and for anyone who's ever wondered exactly how the writer's mind works. Gathers together the best writers working in comics today, including Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Garth Ennis (Preacher), Frank Miller (Dark Knight Returns, Sin City), Grant Morrison (Invisibles, JLA) and Neil Gaiman (Sandman), with extracts from the writers' original scripts.

About this title

Review

Bolstered by a stellar line-up of the comics industry 's most feted talents, this set of 14 interviews offers both a candid and entertaining insight into the process and experience of writing a comic book. Interviewer Salisbury has done well to assemble a set of interviewees that represent some of the industry's greatest successes (Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman), convention-challenging leaders (Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis) and pioneers of superhero comics (Dan Jurgens, Peter David, Chuck Dixon). Fans will immediately question the absence of the industry's biggest name: Alan Moore. However, Salisbury is quick to note that his absence was down to "sheer volume of work" (Hooray!). Besides, nearly every interviewee cites Moore's gargantuan influence, so he is hardly missing. Gaiman comes across as incredibly well read, while Morrison's approach is either spectacularly ambitious or just plain bonkers. Thanks to Salisbury's probing interview technique, we get an excellent behind the scenes look at the trials and tribulations of a craft that is both challenging and rewarding, in an industry that is not as open to creativity as you might think. As you would expect, there is no clear path to success, beyond the obvious aptitude. However, the most common thread is a rapacious love of the medium and sheer bloody-minded tenacity (often masquerading as bare-faced arrogance in Frank Miller's case!). Aspiring British writers will quickly notice that legendary Brit comic 2000 AD was the breeding ground for much of the current top talent and is the first stop for US talent scouts. Insightful for professionals, mouth-watering for fans and wonderfully inspirational for wannabe scribes, roll on Volume Two! --Danny Graydon

Edition details

• Publisher: Titan Books Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184023069X
• ISBN 13: 9781840230697
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256