Webcomics: Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning [Paperback]

Steven Withrow (Author), John Barber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

This instructive guide to an exciting new art medium was written for the cartoonist who knows a lot about drawing, color, and design, but doesn't know how to apply his talents to computer technology. Webcomics shows artists how to get into the fast-growing field of online comics. Created digitally and distributed on the Internet—some for free; others on subscription—webcomics range in style from traditional looking cartoon strips to innovative works that often integrate imagery from photography, video, and other visual arts. This book offers detailed advice on how to design, create, and publish online comics. It also showcases the best webcomics work being produced today. Interviews with leading artists walk readers through all the essential steps in the various creative processes, starting with a story idea and developing it into a finished graphic narrative. More than 400 full-color illustrations, diagrams, and examples of webcomics works.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

[back cover]
WEBCOMICS

Webcomics is an introduction to one of today’s fastest growing and most exciting areas of publishing—online comics. Created digitally and distributed on the Internet—sometimes for free, sometimes on subscription—webcomics represent both a new type of publishing and a brand new art form. They range in style from traditional-looking cartoon strips to innovative, experimental works that may integrate imagery from photography, video, and other sources, and feature audio soundtracks, animation, and interactivity. Webcomics offers an in-depth look at what is happening in this area—revealing who the pioneers are, what sort of work they’re doing, and what kind of digital tools and techniques they employ. Combining profiles of well-known webcomics creators with detailed workthroughs that reveal the nuts and bolts of every aspect of comic creation and presentation, this book is a must for anyone interested in where comics are headed in the 21st century.

An up-to-the-minute examination of this completely new graphic art form

A visual tour-de-force that showcases the best work being produced in the world today

Detailed, practical advice and guidance on how to design, create, and publish online comics

Interviews with leading artists walk the reader through all the essential steps in the various creative processes on the path from idea to finished product

[front flap]

Section one: A New Day for Comics—introduces the new medium of webcomics with a brief history running from its birth in the mid-1990s to its current incarnation. It defines what makes a webcomic, examining the broad styles and genres that have appeared and the audience that is reading them.

Section two: A Strand of Lanterns—looks in detail at the work of six popular web cartoonists, featuring interviews and workthroughs illustrating the methods they use to create their art.

Section three: Stellar Cartography—goes into the more complex aspects of creating webcomics. Highlighting the work of eight acclaimed web cartoonists, the section reveals the more advanced and experimental techniques that can be employed in webcomics. The section also features a showcase of the work of some of the best web cartoonists. The section closes with a roundtable discussion between the editors of five webcomics anthology sites, where they debate the pros and cons of joining an anthology site, and the processes involved.

[back flap]
Steven Withrow is a writer and editor specializing in the world of digital comics and animation. His weekly digital comics series, Crackles of Speech, appears on Komikwerks.com, along with other examples of his work.

John Barber is well-known and highly respected as one of the new generation webcomics authors. Trained as a graphic designer, he now works full time as a writer, illustrator, and Flash programmer on the webcomics site, Modern Tales, where his regular comic strip, Vicious Souvenirs, is published.

About the Author

Steven Withrow is creator of the weekly digital comics series, Crackles of Speech, as well as a writer and editor specializing in the world of digital comics.

John Barber works as writer, illustrator and programmer on the webcomics site, Modern Tales, where his regular comic strip, Vicious Souvenirs, is published.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764129821
• ISBN-13: 978-0764129827
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Entertaining and Very Informative!!, October 23, 2005

By 

John Hughes "Dabbler" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Webcomics: Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning (Paperback)

If you are interested in producing web comics, or if you already do, but want to see how others are doing it, this book will be an excellent resource for you. This all-color book includes a lot of great comics as well, so it's a fun, informative and entertaining read.

The book covers quite a few topics in surprising detail, including:

- Tools and Workspaces
- Internet Accessibility
- Scanning
- Resolution
- Preparing files for web and print
- Coloring & Lettering
- Web file types
- Web Domains
- Hosting your own comic or using a shared hosting site
- Interactive & Experimental Techniques
- Applications for producing comics
- Legal considerations
- The business of web comics
- More...

The book also provides interviews with many different web comics artists who were kind enough to walk us through their process for creating a web comic. These artists discuss the creative process, the tools they use, and what steps they take to produce their work. This is a fascinating and extremely useful look at process/logistical considerations aspiring artists may have, and demonstrates beautifully a range of styles and techniques - not just in the art, but in the creative process itself.

Finally, from a business perspective, how do you make money from your work? This book answers that question to the extent it can be answered, and points to several different models for making money (e.g. advertising revenue, subscription fees, micropayments) and points out the pros and cons of each system.

If you want to produce web comics, this book will arm you with a great deal of practical knowledge and "insider" information, and will inspire you to start drawing!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, inspiring book - in full color!, August 12, 2006

By 

Randi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Webcomics: Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning (Paperback)

"Webcomics: Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning" will introduce you to some well known online comics and show you in detail how the comic artists go about creating their comic and make it available via the web. From writing a script, sketching, inking, scanning, graphics programs (photoshop, poser, illustrator), optimizing graphics, websites, copyrights, it takes a look at everything. Great examples that will help you custom tailor your own production method.

It also includes a page of links pointing you toward additional resources. If you are thinking about creating your own online comic, or just want to know how your favorite artists go about it - then this is the book!