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Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art Paperback – April 27, 1994

by Scott McCloud (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,859 ratings
See all formats and editions
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"You must read this book." —Neil Gaiman

The bestselling international classic on storytelling and visual communication.

Praised throughout the cartoon industry by such luminaries as Art Spiegelman, Matt Groening, and Will Eisner, Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics is a seminal examination of comics art: its rich history, surprising technical components, and major cultural significance. Explore the secret world between the panels, through the lines, and within the hidden symbols of a powerful but misunderstood art form.

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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    April 27, 1994
  5. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  6. Dimensions
    10.1 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    006097625X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0060976255
  9. See all details
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Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
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Reinventing Comics: The Evolution of an Art Form
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A comic book about comic books. McCloud, in an incredibly accessible style, explains the details of how comics work: how they're composed, read and understood. More than just a book about comics, this gets to the heart of how we deal with visual languages in general. "The potential of comics is limitless and exciting!" writes McCloud. This should be required reading for every school teacher. Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman says, "The most intelligent comics I've seen in a long time."

Review

“If you read, write, teach or draw comics; if you want to; or if you simply want to watch a master explainer at work, you must read this book.” — Neil Gaiman

“McCloud’s masterwork is not just an indispensable treatise on comics, it’s also the best primer around on visual literacy and the mechanics of storytelling. A must-read for anyone interested in narrative of any kind.” — Alison Bechdel

“Cleverly disguised as an easy-to-read comic book, Scott McCloud’s simple-looking tome deconstructs the secret language of comics while casually revealing secrets of time, space, art and the cosmos! The most intelligent comics I’ve seen in a long time. Bravo.” — Art Spiegelman

“Reading Understanding Comics blew my teenage mind, and gave me a toolbox full of ideas that I still use today.” — Raina Telgemeier

“The best analysis of the medium that I have ever encountered.” — Alan Moore

“BRAVO!! ... A landmark dissection and intellectual consideration of comics as a valid medium. ... Anyone interested in this literary form must read it.” — Will Eisner

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (April 27, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 006097625X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060976255
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,859 ratings

About the author

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Scott McCloud

Scott McCloud

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Scott McCloud has been writing, drawing, and examining comics since 1984. Winner of the Eisner and Harvey awards, his works have been translated into more than sixteen languages. Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) called him "just about the smartest guy in comics." He lives with his family in southern California. His online comics and inventions can be found at scottmccloud.com.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
2,859 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the content fascinating, revolutionary, and effective in every line. They also describe the book as an effortless but informative read that delivers clear, useful definitions and analogies.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ContentComprehensibilityOriginalityMedia
170 customers mention "Content"164 positive6 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, profound, and eye-opening. They say it's a great course on visual storytelling, and a good resource for anyone.

"Fascinating read about the comic book medium. Asks a lot of good questions and provides very intriguing and detailed "answers"...." Read more

"Had to get this for a class. Its a fun text book of how to make a comic. One of the few "text book" I kept from college." Read more

"...Fascinating read thus far which goes beyond the boundaries of comics as we understand the term today." Read more

"...This book can not only helped me understand the medium even better, it helped me create a deeper emotional bond with it...." Read more

53 customers mention "Comprehensibility"47 positive6 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand, with clever ideas and clear explanations and drawings. They also say it's a great resource for understanding comics and a fantastic way of getting up to speed with devices and tropes.

"...deeper philosophy and craft of the art, as well as a fantastic way of getting up to speed with all the devices and tropes used to navigate and make..." Read more

"...The format makes everything easy to understand and it’s entertaining. So much information in this book. Highly recommend." Read more

"This book is wonderful and it took me a very long time to read because it is chock full of great, thought-provoking information...." Read more

"...I read it all very quickly and it was easy to read...." Read more

6 customers mention "Originality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book original and a must-read for filmmakers. They also appreciate the hard work, craftsmanship, and creativity.

"...and an amazing essay on determination, hard work, craftsmanship and creativity...." Read more

"...the power of comics as not just a form of storytelling, but a totally unique art form." Read more

"...It's such an original work and a must read for filmmakers! Highly recommend." Read more

"bought for an online class. really cool its set up like an comic book." Read more

5 customers mention "Media"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's media surprising deep and provides great examples of the medium.

"...Its a great summary of the medium and gives great examples of the medium...." Read more

"This book is fabulous. Fun to read. Easy to understand, yet deep enough to make you think." Read more

"...Excellent overview and deep in all the right places." Read more

"Surprisingly Deep..." Read more

Great book but arrived with water damage and wet
4 Stars
Great book but arrived with water damage and wet
The book itself is great. But I was a bit disappointed when I got it out of the box and the book was damp and water damaged. I can't blame the seller, the box did arrive damaged so I guess fault is more with the mail carrier. Still disappointing when a new book arrives damaged.
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Top reviews from the United States

LiebsFam
5.0 out of 5 stars Genuinely changed the way I read and understand comics
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Fascinating read about the comic book medium. Asks a lot of good questions and provides very intriguing and detailed "answers". Anyone who reads comics or wants to read or write comics should pick this up.
One person found this helpful
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Emma
5.0 out of 5 stars great book, the online version is illegible
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
such a great book! a must read for those interested in comics and drawing! unfortunately, I bought the online version first and was very frustrated to find that it is cut off and rotated and therefore unusable. I contacted amazon to get a refund and was denied, so watch out!!!
One person found this helpful
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Stephen Sisino
5.0 out of 5 stars The Key to ALL AESTHETICS
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
Through this art known as Comic Books, you will see the Real Power of image, context and time. Gain deeper knowledge of how minimalism can lead to impossible details and awareness.
One person found this helpful
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lisa b.
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
Bought this on the recommendation from a librarian when I said I wish I knew more about the graphic novels and manga that are so popular now- it has been informative…
One person found this helpful
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Shin Splinter
4.0 out of 5 stars My review
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Had to get this for a class. Its a fun text book of how to make a comic. One of the few "text book" I kept from college.
4 people found this helpful
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Richa Nevatia
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Condition
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was my first time buying from Amazon pre-loved section. It took a long time to ship, but it was well packaged and the quality of the book was well maintained.
One person found this helpful
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RM
5.0 out of 5 stars Short Definition Of Comics
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Still reading the book, but, had to hit the pause button once I reached page 23, the last page of Chapter One.

Not because I quickly grew bored of the book, rather, my mind refused to process the short definition applied to the term "Comics", i.e., Sequential Art, which is presented at this stage of the book.

After wrestling with the short definition for a couple of minutes, I eventually modified it to " Sequential Imagery" that was later validated (in my mind) by Scott McCoud's definition of an "Icon" which reads, "Any image used to represent a person, place, thing, or idea.".

For me, the term "Art" goes beyond images, i.e., sculptures, performances, music, etc.

Therefore, this book made me think more about the topic which is why I'm giving it five stars.

Fascinating read thus far which goes beyond the boundaries of comics as we understand the term today.
4 people found this helpful
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Mr J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
A little to complex for my average Joe brain but I’m sure you fellow artist. Comics, cartoonist, animators are realllllly gonna like it
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Machuca
5.0 out of 5 stars Concepos basicos para entender la estructura del comic
Reviewed in Mexico on February 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
A manera de comic es un gran libro que presenta las ideas detras de varios conceptos al desarrollar una historia a manera de comic y entender la razon por la cual se colocan paneles en cierto orden, como funciona el tiempo en paneles y el significado de simbolos, onomatopeyas y como explotar estos conceptos en un formato diverso como lo es el comic. Un libro muy recomendable
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Dustin
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
For any enthusiast of comics or visual story telling. Very informative and enjoyable.
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Matt
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on January 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
È un libro di teoria che spiega benissimo il concetto del fumetto.
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Arun N
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book
Reviewed in India on August 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a master piece for designers who deals with story telling in theat job roles... If designing is your bread and butter then this is a must read..
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative in a very different way.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
I'm not normally one to write a review, normally I just buy a product at that is it. I am currently undergoing a solo comic book project involving script writing and illustration. I had read good stuff about this book so I bought a copy and I was not disappointed. Reading through, Scott highlighted certain areas that I took a second to realise I had already had these thought processes but not realised. It also opened me up to more information that I was not aware of and taught me things about comics that date way back.I like the idea that this was informative and in the style of a comic, pure genius. 10/10 for me and a brilliant read.
One person found this helpful
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