Scared!: How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters (Fantastic Fantasy Comics) [Paperback]

Steve Miller (Author), Bryan Baugh (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fantastic Fantasy Comics | Publication Date: November 1, 2004

SCARED! How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters is a response to the rise in interest in the horror genre in film, comics, and graphic novels. Readers are given a brief history of horror comics-like EC, Vertigo, and DC Comics-and the influence of legendary horror genre artist Bernie Wrightson, before all manner of horror creatures are unleashed. In-depth step-by-step instructions are provided for drawing such horror subgenres as Bring on the Monsters (werewolves, wolfman, and teenage werewolf); Love at First Bite (vampires, vampire bats, and vampire slayers); Up From the Depths (killer sharks, piranhas, and the swamp and its inhabitants); and Some Things Are Best Left Buried (the crypt, the mummy, and the ancient curse).

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. Scared! begins with a brief history of horror comics (mostly in the U.S.), profiles of some popular illustrators, useful tips on drawing for the genre (creating "creepy characters," for example), and advice on references and resources. The bulk of the book is dedicated to straightforward how-to, with illustrations for a gallery of ghouls showing each character broken down into basic shapes. The approach is especially suited to YA artists just developing an interest in how comics are drawn. Coloring and Lettering is an extensive look at what an artist needs to know about these subjects in order to become a professional in the comics industry--from fundamental principles of color and using computers to tools and skills needed to create a variety of styles of lettering. The book also lends insight into how and why coloring and lettering in comics have changed through the history of the industry. This is a great resource for YAs seriously interested in graphic storytelling; it will also find an appreciative audience among adults. Tina Coleman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Steve Miller is the author of Freaks! How to Draw Fantastic Fantasy Creatures; Hi-Yah! How to Draw Fantastic Martial Arts Comics; Gung-Ho! How to Draw Fantastic Military Comics: and several other drawing titles. He lives in Canal Winchester, Ohio.

Bryan Baugh is the co-author of Scared! How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters and the author of Zap! How to Draw Fantastic Sci-Fi Comics. He is also the author of Swords and Sorcery. He has supplied storyboards for animated productions featuring Batman, Jackie Chan, and the Masters of the Universe. He lives in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823016641
• ISBN-13: 978-0823016648
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scared, but in a good way, December 11, 2004

By 

Alice Layman (Coolidge, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scared!: How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters (Fantastic Fantasy Comics) (Paperback)

I saw this book in the store and debated buying it for my twelve year old son. It is a little gruesome and the women are quite buxom. I finally decided to order it from Amazon and see what my son thought. Well he loves it! Now he draws nothing but werewolves and zombies fighting each other, I think that is a good thing(?). It is a nice follow up from author Steve Miller, my son got his book Freaks! As well so sooner or later he will probably start drawing zombies fighting cat people. I'm tempted to actually try my hand at drawing some of the characters for Halloween decorations (tempted, but I'll probably just end up making blow up copies at Kinko's.) All in all a nice book for children (and parents-lol) not prone to nightmares.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A decent book i think:), February 23, 2007

By 

Kenneth Johansen "Kaine" (Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scared!: How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters (Fantastic Fantasy Comics) (Paperback)

This book is not that bad, but it may not be suited for you if you have NEVER drawn something before:S

It has a lot of step by step guides and contains a good variety of subjects to draw. Hailing from vampires, zombies, vixens to werewolves:) This book is easily one of my favorites even if i cannot give it a top score grade... The reason why, is because it IS a bit advanced. Even if the step-by-step guides are somewhat easy to follow, if you don't have "pencil feeling", then you'll screw up a lot:S Belive me:p

But that may be just me:S It's not a bad book at all, so i can reccomend this one:) Buy it, you won't be dissapointed:)

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but needed more, September 12, 2010

By 

J. FELLA (Albany, Or United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scared!: How to Draw Fantastic Horror Comic Characters (Fantastic Fantasy Comics) (Paperback)

This is a pretty cool book if you love Halloween and drawing, like I do. Some of the pictures are actually kinda scary, and all are well done. My only real complaint with the book is that they only show you how to draw one picture of the monster. One pose, one angle. I think books such as this need to show how to draw the creature from the side/front/ and maybe an angle. That way you truly have all the info you need to draw that monster any way you want.

But, if you're just looking for some good ideas or inspiration for some drawings, this could be good for you.