Comics Crash Course (Paperback)

~ Vincent Giarrano (Author) "Basic shapes are ground zero for drawing comics..." (more)
Key Phrases: radio balloon, correction pen, finished pencils (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up–Today's aspiring comic creators are pop-culture savvy in a way that initial readers of Stan Lee's seminal work, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way(S & S, 1984), were not. Although that book is still the one to beat in terms of technique and readability, this one goes a long way toward closing the gap between the oversimplified and repetitive work of Christopher Hart and the overly technical but extremely useful "How to Draw Manga" series by Ben Dunn (Antarctic). Indeed, Giarrano's book is comfortably fitted right in the center–plenty of great art advice, striking imagery, and just enough edginess to satisfy most aspiring comic-book artists. However, it's somewhat short on information about how to draft a coherent story, create meaningful characters, and write smart dialogue. Of course, any book on how to create comics must have a strong graphic element to it, and Giarrano is successful from the very first page. With bold colors, crisp lines, and energetic posing, he provides excellent illustrations for all of his techniques. He takes readers from the most basic drawing techniques to complex shading and inking. The bulk of the book is taken up with graphic storytelling techniques that are specific to the comic-book genre. This is Giarrano's strongest area, and the chapters on design, composition, and layout make this book an invaluable addition to any "how-to-draw" collection. With nods to the currently in vogue Japanese manga technique as well as references to contemporary publishers like Vertigo, Image, and Top Cow, it is also timely. An excellent introduction to comic drawing, composition, and graphic storytelling.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI

Product Description

Comic books are more popular now than ever. Kids and adults avidly follow the tales of their favorite superheroes--and now, with the lessons in Comics Crash Course, they can create their own adventures!

Vince Giarrano has worked on some of the most popular comic books in the world, including Superman, Batman, Peter Parker, and Action Comics. Now, he brings his fifteen years of experience to bear on a book with over twenty demonstrations. Starting from the basics and working up to an intermediate level, he shows readers how to create: -Super heroes and villains -Animals and creatures -Robots and vehicles -Backgrounds and settings -And much more!

With clear, high-quality illustrations, this Comics Buyers Guide-endorsed book will also appeal to its target audience's taste for dynamic designs and colors.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Impact (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581805330
• ISBN-13: 978-1581805338
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,694 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!, January 28, 2005

By	BDC (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

I just bought this book last December 2004, and I must say it's one of the best how-to draw comics. It's not exactly "how to draw" because as the title says it's a crash course on how to make comic books. By this, I mean that the instructions on drawing are not very detailed. But when it comes to story-telling and do's and dont's in creating comics, this book has it all.

The author included so many tips - very helpful ones! From composition to inking. For example, he explains how to make a single panel look great, or how to work with a script, and so on.

This book deals with things that you need, without going into too much detail. And it cuts straight to the point. Thus, it's ideal for young readers as well (young adults).

Instead of buying Christopher Hart titles, you might as well get this one. It's just great, simple great!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for more advanced artists., January 1, 2009

By	Flatlander (Scotland, SD) - See all my reviews

This is a very good book but if you are just starting out trying to learn how to draw, there are better alternatives. I'm a hopelessly crappy artist so the parts that interested me the most had to do with the mechanics of comics such as storytelling, composition, and perspective. I'm only giving it 4 stars because the title gives the impression that you'll learn how to draw but as a beginner I didn't find it particularly good for that.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling advice., December 26, 2009

By	T. Wright (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am very impressed by the amount of attention given to the storytelling process in this book. Most books of this type typically have the same amount of space given to the various subjects involved with creating a comic book. This book, however, really touches on the rarely covered subject of storytelling. The basic anatomy and perspecive sections live up to the books title of "Crash Course". They cover only the bare bones basics. Tools of the trade, too, are briefly shown. Inking is given only a little more consideration.
In the storytelling portion of the book,however, the author discusses page thumbnails, page layout and flow, use of blue pencil and lightboxing, final pencils, and inking in more detail than most of these types of books. He breaks down a page, panel by panel, to illustrate how proper flow is so important in teling the story. I highly recommend this book on this section alone. I am a "wannabe" artist and suffer greatly in my storytelling ability but this book gave me tips and direction to begin to improve.