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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 2,923 ratings
See all formats and editions
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  1. Will Eisner Comic Industry AwardsWinner, 1994
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“Reading Understanding Comics blew my teenage mind, and gave me a toolbox full of ideas that I still use today.” —Raina Telgemeier

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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Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
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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

“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 2,923 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
2,923 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and informative about comics. They describe it as a great summary of visual storytelling that provides good questions and detailed answers. Readers also mention it's fun to read and a classic that is required reading for anyone interested in the medium.

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InsightReadabilityArt formDepth
152 customers mention "Insight"149 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative about comics. They say it provides a great overview of the medium and provides good examples. Readers appreciate the detailed answers and insights into art and storytelling. The book offers a general overview and is well-researched.

"...This is the book to show to someone, who is curious why cartoons are entertaining, and why drawn characters tell more than meets the eye...." Read more

"...This chapter also discusses how comics are subtractive, and lends itself to an excellent lesson whereupon students can draw comics with many pictures..." Read more

"...Yes, this book is useful, especially for those with a limited understanding of comics. The advice on flow, pacing, etc is invaluable...." Read more

"Truly an insightful book that will help you see how profound comics truly are. More than just for kids...a true and important art form." Read more

104 customers mention "Readability"96 positive8 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and a must-read for those interested in comics and drawing. They appreciate the author's clear explanations and humor. The book provides a basic understanding of the medium.

"An easy read, yet gets into the theory of sequential art and comics as far as I’ve ever seen...." Read more

"...great because it discusses the history of comics, and some great activities can be done having students think about and search for comics in the..." Read more

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

"such a great book! a must read for those interested in comics and drawing!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Art form"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's storytelling unique and original. They appreciate the craftsmanship and creativity. The book is set up like a comic book and is relevant, witty, and smart.

"...More than just for kids...a true and important art form." Read more

"...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

5 customers mention "Depth"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's depth. They find it informative and say it explores the medium with great examples.

"...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

"Funny, informative and an exploration of the medium..." Read more

Great book but arrived with water damage and wet
4 out of 5 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

  • HBG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly intellectual
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    An easy read, yet gets into the theory of sequential art and comics as far as I’ve ever seen. The author refers to a broad range of comic artists and publishers— including those outside the classic Western canon.
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  • Adam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Metacomic
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I just read it for the experience of reading it. This is the book to show to someone, who is curious why cartoons are entertaining, and why drawn characters tell more than meets the eye.

    It’s like opening your eyes and then opening your eyes again, beyond stereotype or bias.
    Helpful
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  • ParaNormal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teaching!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this item, along with McCloud's other book Making Comics, to teach a course on comics in English to art students at Cheongju University in South Korea. Both of these books really lend themselves to teaching, each one is divided into chapters which discuss specific comic concepts and elements. Two excellent chapters:

    The first chapter in Understanding Comics is great because it discusses the history of comics, and some great activities can be done having students think about and search for comics in the real world and instances of comics in history. This chapter really validates the fact that comics are interesting and useful, rather than just being treated as a 'fake' art or a 'not really real' subject.

    Chapter three is excellent because it breaks down transitions not only in American comics, but European and Asian comics as well, and explains his thoughts as to why these differences exist. This allows students to compare the differences and broaden their understanding of how different cultures think differently. This chapter also discusses how comics are subtractive, and lends itself to an excellent lesson whereupon students can draw comics with many pictures, then keep subtracting and combining pictures until they have the miminum number of pictures that tells the gist of their story.

    In other chapters: Chapter two discusses word choice and flow in comics, four discusses time, chapter five discusses displaying emotion by using different types of lines (and similarities and differences between comics from different cultures), chapter six discusses how words and ideas complement each other in comics, and chapter seven discusses six steps to making comics.

    In my opinion, each book is worth its weight in gold alone for a comic class, but they have a synergistic effect when used in tandem with each other. Concepts from one book flow into the other book, and vice-versa, giving the students in-depth knowledge of both how to make comics and how to understand comics from other authors better. All of the concepts from the chapters can be seen easily in comics online or from newspapers, and so each week I first do the lecture, then use a few examples on the overhead that I have found from other comics, then give the students homework pertaining to the concepts discussed.

    Through use of the two books, the students' work is really improving, and it is fun to see them working specifically with each comic element. Each of the concepts discussed in the chapters is a great starting point to get the students' creative juices flowing. I would recommend this book to any teacher or lecturer interested teaching comics at almost any level and to any audience.
    12 people 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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  • Oliver
    4.0 out of 5 stars Useful
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I was required to read this book for multiple comic courses. Yes, this book is useful, especially for those with a limited understanding of comics. The advice on flow, pacing, etc is invaluable. However, because comics are such a complex medium, this book is not the all-or-nothing guide it pretends to be and can even come off as pretentious at times. If you'd like to truly understand comics, observe the comics that you read rather than relying solely on this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars More than about COMICS
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Truly an insightful book that will help you see how profound comics truly are. More than just for kids...a true and important art form.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • 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!!!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lurie C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great book with a blind guy wearing ugly White glasses. But I fix it. check the photo
    Customer image
    Lurie C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2024
    Great book with a blind guy wearing ugly White glasses. But I fix it. check the photo
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
    Report
  • Bachan
    5.0 out of 5 stars El mejor libro SOBRE comics.
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Es la mejor explicación que he leído sobre el lenguaje visual. Explora temas muy complicados explicados de manera extraordinariamente clara. Libro indispensable.
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  • Halil Kardicali
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very educative book
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on November 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very mech enjoyed the format and content, you learn a lot about the theory of comics.
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  • Antonino
    5.0 out of 5 stars grande autore
    Reviewed in Italy on October 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    ottimo libro
    Report
  • 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..
    Report