How to Draw Comic Book Heroes and Villains (Christopher Hart Titles) [Paperback]

Christopher Hart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Christopher Hart Titles

Today comic book heroes and villains are more popular than ever, appearing not only in print but in video games and movies as well. Now fans can learn how to create their own heroes and villains from such successful comic book artists as Gray Morrow of Superman, Frank McLaughlin of Batman, and Frank Springer of Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian. A superhero-mascot appears throughout the book guiding the reader with his humorous observations. Among the many subjects covered are heroic anatomy; monsters, mutants, and mythical creatures; action scenes, fights and combat; as well as designing special powers for heroes. Each section ends with a page entitled “Common Mistakes,” where the pitfalls and problems that beginning artists are most likely to encounter are demonstrated.

With its fun-to-follow format and variety of illustration styles, How to Draw Comic Book Heroes and Villains will encourage the cartoonist lurking in everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 10 and up. Bursting with full-color art from the likes of Frank McLaughlin (Superman) and Gray Morrow (Power Rangers), this how-to is for young adults seriously interested in illustrating comic books--the superhero type. It's generally less informative than Pellowski's book, also reviewed in this issue, and because the buxom beauties shown are occasionally in the nude, it's for an older audience. No stranger to comics (this is his fourth book on the subject), Hart introduces readers to a host of larger-than-life heroes, heroines, and villains, and, using an abundance of black-and-white sketches, demonstrates how to draw them, costume and equip them, and make them spring into action in traditional superhero fashion. The last two chapters, illustrated in a style reminiscent of family comic strips, use words and pictures to explain the comic book creation process and supply tips on job hunting in the biz. Stephanie Zvirin

Review

Aspiring comic artists receive a fine how-to-draw guide which provides lessons from other comic book artists on how to draw heroes and monsters. From monster anatomy to action scenes, this includes many specific tips. -- Midwest Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; First edition. edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823022455
• ISBN-13: 978-0823022458
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Cartooning

More About the Author

Thanks for taking a look at my books, and this "Author Bio." I'm a competent tennis player, who also enjoys playing computer chess while I'm watching TV at night (Hey, it prevents me from channel-surfing). I'm keenly interested in M-theory, although i have become skeptical of it of late, despite Brian's Green's full-body gushing... I love being with my family, and even my extremely evil dog, a Welsh Springer Spaniel named "Rusty." Oh, yes, he truly is that evil.

As for my work, I'm the author of many How-To-Draw books, published by Watson-Guptill,the art imprint of Random House. Thanks to a lot of the wonderful readers (and you know who you are!), I have sold over 3 million copies domestically, which have been translated into 20 languages worldwide.

I'm fortunate to also have had 26 of the Best-Selling art books in the country, according to Bookscan.(Bookscan is the publishing industry's rating system for books, which is owned by same company that does the Neislen TV ratings.)

I also have my own drawing show on the Comcast Network, called, "How To Draw Action Heroes With Chris Hart." It's on Comcast's "Activity TV." I hope you like my books, and find them a valuable adjunct to your own imagination.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent "Get-Started-In-Drawing" Book, February 27, 2000

By 

Hank Robbins - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Draw Comic Book Heroes and Villains (Christopher Hart Titles) (Paperback)

Christopher Hart's contributions to the How-To-Draw genre have been excellent. This is the second good book that I bought concerning drawing (I bought it a few years ago when I first renewed my interest in drawing). Though a little on the scattered side (it includes a little on everything!) this book is great for beginners and those artists who want to polish their art with a little bit of added nuance and panache. Check out his How To Draw Comic Book Bad Guys and Gals as well (These books go in tandem). Happy reading!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book mostly on what is appealing in a comic, July 23, 2000

By 

joe_ shmoe - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Draw Comic Book Heroes and Villains (Christopher Hart Titles) (Paperback)

This book is bad for beginners. It says to start out with a stick figure. Good. It says stay loose with your drawing. Good. 8 pages on the head and nothing on muscles. BAD. A person would be able to draw a good head, but thats it. The book gives helpful suggestions on what type of characters make a good comic book and how to make the panel look good. If you want anatomy get the marvel book with the tools, you'll be drawing better in no time. then come back and get this one for making an book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Operative manual about american superheroes, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Draw Comic Book Heroes and Villains (Christopher Hart Titles) (Paperback)

It is like some sort of "How to draw comics the marvel way" but its pictures are very much appealing. This book tells you in a deeper way how to draw superheroes in the american way. As you should know there are some other styles like "Manga" (japanese comic style) and european comics (which are most intelectual and uses a non conventional or a very common commercial style).

Pictures in this book are very impressive and I think it really worth for those newcomer artists who really likes the american style.