Drawing Dynamic Comics

Chapters include instruction on basic shapes and perspective; human anatomy, figure drawing, and stylizing the basic figure; the head and comic facial expressions; and backgrounds and inking techniques. Terrific tips of the trade are provided by prominent young professionals in the comic book industry who share their insiders’ overviews of the business, giving aspiring cartoonists a decided edge in becoming savvy newcomers as they prepare to enter a very competitive field.

A fresh, up-to-date approach to creating comics shows artists of all ages and talent levels how to build basic figures into stylized characters, set them in action, and add the backgrounds needed to complete the visual storytelling process.

Chapters include instruction on basic shapes and perspective; human anatomy, figure drawing, and stylizing the basic figure; the head and comic facial expressions; and backgrounds and inking techniques. Terrific tips of the trade are provided by prominent young professionals in the comic book industry who share their insiders' overviews of the business, giving aspiring cartoonists a decided edge in becoming savvy newcomers as they prepare to enter a very competitive field.

Library Journal

These volumes cover the two broadest categories of cartooning, the "Disney" style and the action hero genre. Hart, a successful contributor to MAD magazine, the Blondie cartoon strip, film, and TV, deftly covers the world of cartoon animals, animation, and "edgy 'toons." This and Robin Hall's The Cartoonist's Workbook: Drawing, Writing Gags, Selling (LJ 11/15/97) are the best available for basic cartooning. Smith has been art director for top comic book publishers, including Marvel, DC Comics, and Acclaim, and has contributed to X-Men, Gen X, Green Lantern, and others. He begins with form and structure, moves to building basic figures, and then sets them in motion. Unlike similar books, his makes good use of posed human models as a basis for both average human figures and muscled superheroes. Five other cartoonists contributed to his "Inking with Experts" section. Recommended, along with Tom Alvarez's comprehensive How To Create Action, Fantasy and Adventure Comics (LJ 11/15/96). Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Andy Smith, whose own comic books are published by Image Comics, has worked as a penciler, inker, and art director for several top companies, including Marvel, DC, and Acclaim Comics. He lives in Orlando, Florida.