The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel [Paperback]

Nat Gertler (Author), Steve Lieber (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: July 6, 2004

Tools for creating the next great graphic novel!

What do the movies Men In Black, Road to Perdition, Ghost World, and X-Men all have in common? Each started out as a graphic novel-one of the fastest growing segments of the book publishing industry. Now, here is the first book to provide a comprehensive and detailed look at the process involved in creating a successful graphic novel.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nat Gertler is an acclaimed comic book editor, educator, and graphic novel industry expert. His serialized graphic novel, The Factor, was nominated for an Eisner Award, and his publishing imprint, About Comics, has released works by several New York Times bestselling authors. He is the author of seven Complete Idiot's Guides books.

Steve Lieber is an award-wining graphic artist who has professionally drawn Conan, Buffy, Superman, Star Trek, and Batman comics. Lieber recently completed work on a sequel to the graphic novel, Road To Perdition, which was the source for the 2003 Academy Award-winning film by the same name.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (July 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592572332
• ISBN-13: 978-1592572335
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful hand from heaven!!!, July 20, 2004

By 

A. J Marti "A J Marti" (Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel (Paperback)

When i saw this title was about to be released I didn't believe it at first... But anyway... I put it on my wish list, before you can say ?idiot?

Not because of the popularity of graphic novels but because I thought that a series of books like this "Complete Idiot's Guide" usually cares about, raising puppies, understanding software or mechanics stuff... You know... Things that might be more appealing to the real world... To the average reader

But to dedicate a whole guide just to the creators or fans of graphic novels... Ummm, I don?t know... Sounds weird... But immensely cool at the same time!!!

Anyway, I bought it, I have it, I read it, I LOVE IT!

As comic creator, writer and graphic novel lover THIS IS A MUST HAVE!... But specially for those writers and art students beginners or expert... Is full of tips and great ideas, all written in a simple down to earth words

As an expert you will find a different point of view, which I think is always helpful, as I never get tired of seeing other peoples works.. And as I believe there?s always something new to learn... In every book... Without exception

Specially coming for this guys, Nat Gertler and Steve Leiber... They not only explain but sparks your imagination with a wonderful sense of humor and tons of creative examples... You will find yourself not only laughing in every page but feeling those creative butterflies in your stomach, while you feel you are ?talking? with people that understand your ideas, love and passion for writing and creating a graphic novel

This is a book that goes directly to the subject... Directly to the thing you want the most... LEARN FROM THE PRO?S

So... I recommend this one with my eyes closed, not only if you are an idiot, but if you believe that there?s always something new to learn...

Get this one if you write graphic novel, if you love graphic novel, if you only read graphic novel, or if you only want to be... Less idiot... Like me

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars far from idiotic, July 31, 2006

By 

cyaneyed "designer" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel (Paperback)

I'm a long-time designer looking to do a web comic on the side and I picked this book up only partly because I was open to some new organizational ideas, but mostly because the gentleman writing it were so down to earth.

Their teaching method is very engaging, the advice very helpful and easy to understand, but what I found most helpful was the "you can do it" reassuring undertone it had.

I'm also a longtime attendee of comicon and found their "demostration purpose" con comic exerpt amusing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to express themselves through graphic novels. It's practical, filled with good advice and a ton of helpful references you might want to look up later as well.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book to start with, June 9, 2007

By 

Samuel Ceballos (Ciudad Valles, SLP, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel (Paperback)

Creating a graphic novel (or a comic book) is hard work. Getting someone to read it, other than friends or relatives, is an herculean task. This book is a good place to start, along with some fine books written by Scott McCloud.

I gave it only four stars because of the shallow treatment of so many themes, but that's natural, because of the wide spectrum of subjets that the comic form implies. And I sustracted a star because the writing style... well, tries too hard to be funny, and it gets annoying at times (insert a joke here!- Ed.)