DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics [Paperback]

Mark Chiarello (Author), Todd Klein (Author), Jim Steranko (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

America's leading comic book publisher brings its superstar creators and classic characters to the fourth in an authoritative series of books on how to create comics. Acclaimed comic book illustrator Mark Chiarello and award-winning letterer Todd Klein demonstrate dozens of surefire strategies, practical techniques, and professional secrets for dynamic comic book coloring and lettering. They use DC's world-famous characters to demonstrate an array of techniques, covering such topics as the pros and cons of lettering by hand or by computer, creating balloons and fonts, logo designs, working with color, and creating special effects. The animated step-by-step instructions are informative, stimulating, and clear enough for even beginners to follow. In addition, every technique shown in this guide conforms to up-to-date industry standards. The perfect how-to on everything coloring and lettering, this one-stop sourcebook is packed with a wealth of tested techniques, practical advice, and professional secrets for the aspiring comic artist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823010309
• ISBN-13: 978-0823010301
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.3 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Word, November 2, 2004

By 

Nate Piekos (RI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics (Paperback)

LETTERING:
Mr. Todd Klein is a seasond veteran in the field of comic book lettering and I've never seen a more concise, enagaging, and useful field guide on the subject of lettering in our industry. Along with the ABC's of computer lettering (pun intended), Mr. Klein pulls back the shroud of mystery on hand lettering; tools, tips and great advice. This is the most definitive text ever written on the subject, hands down.

COLORING:
As far as comic coloring is concerned, there are many places online to get the hard and fast techincal aspects of the trade, but the most important lessons Mark Chiarello gives the reader is color theory as it realtes to comics... How color evokes mood, how complimentary and muted tones can be used most effectively -- and perhaps the most important lesson in computer coloring: what NOT to do. The majority of examples in this section provide a sample of technique gone wrong as well as what to aim for. Another great lesson lost on most colorists is made a priority here: Let the art dictate the style of coloring.

I wish I'd had this book when I first started out. It will be kept in easy reach in my studio from now on!

Nate Piekos
Director, Blambot Comic Fonts & Lettering

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More Theory Than Practice - ONLY Helpful to Those with Experience, August 12, 2009

By 

CB - See all my reviews

This review is from: DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics (Paperback)

Just to start off - if you are just beginning to learn how to do computer coloring, DO NOT buy this book. Not yet, at least. The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics is not written for the novice, but seems largely aimed at those who have had at least some experience with coloring before. While I'm sure I'll get some use out of this book later on, right now it is simply sitting on my shelf, unused, next to my other computer coloring books.

The DC Comics Guides are always interesting, but they never offer what is really needed - hands-on examples and tutorials. Computer coloring is difficult enough - especially in the early stages when you are trying to isolate your line art and get it ready for coloring in the first place (this can be a highly difficult and, indeed, frustrating process) and you need a book that will hold your hand through the process. The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering is, unfortunately, not that book. While DC certainly means well, trying to publish useful books with their brand name to get a foothold in the "How to Draw" market, they haven't yet hit upon a successful formula in my opinion.

Why isn't this book successful, you ask? First, the lack of "how tos". There is really not one part of this book that offers tutorials with step-by-step instructions and screen shots to help you out. This is a book on the theory of coloring - in other words, once you know what you're doing, it will teach you how to improve, create subtlety, select the right colors and effects, etc. It is a finesse book, for those who want to add that extra something to their work. For those of us who are still on the first level, learning what to do, this book is a ways ahead of us. This goes for the "lettering" portion of this book as well. Second, the unclear instructions. Their section on how to set up your files for coloring, for example, is so confusing that I had to go through the steps several times, over and over again, and I'm still not convinced I've gotten it right. If you're trying to teach a subject, you've got to be able to communicate more clearly than this.

For those who want really good books on computer coloring, here are three that I recommend without reservation:

1. Hi-Fi Color For Comics: Digital Techniques for Professional Results - An amazing resource with a excellent DVD-ROM full of exercises you can do along with the book.

2. How To Color For Comics - While not as great as "Hi-Fi", this book is great at teaching understanding of more painterly techniques in comic book coloring and can help troubleshoot some issues. Also has a great DVD-ROM full of tutorials and exercises you can do along with the book. Though it's out of print, it's worth the trouble to get it.

3. Digital Manga Workshop: An Artist's Guide to Creating Manga Illustrations on Your Computer - A great book on how to achieve cel-style coloring and other effects, especially if you are a manga enthusiast.

If you want a great book on how to do comic book lettering, here is my suggestion:

1. Comic Book Lettering: The Comicraft Way - This, quite literally, is the last word in comic book lettering, and is very inexpensive.

Good luck with your artistic endeavors!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, August 27, 2005

By 

Mysterio "Jono" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics (Paperback)

It's refreshing when a book as thorough as this comes out, AND it's written by industry professionals.

The colouring section was very informative, giving both colour theory, balanced with practical steps and illustrations. I found the reviews on colouring fads such as using Photoshop filters/SFX to be informative.

The thing that stands out from all other material I've read on colouring comics are the definitive procedures and clear explanations on things to do and to avoid.

THE LETTERING SECTION was just as good. With good examples and explanations as to WHY and HOW things are done.

If you're into comic colouring and/or lettering, this book must adorn your shelf; It is that helpful.