Scott McCloud

If I could suggest any book to somebody who wants to get a better grasp on comic book art and story telling it would be, without a doubt, Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud.  Over 20 years ago McCloud put together the definitive guide on how comics work and it is still the best book in print discussing the topic.   Understanding Comics serves to show the intricacies and complexity of comics in a fashion that is not only interesting, but also easy to digest. 

Imagine a 90 year-old man who thinks that technology is the devil being given an iPhone.  He may discard it in favor of a simple, old fashioned, flip phone with big buttons.  However, because the iPhone is so intuitive and easy to use by design, he could easily be making calls and maybe even sending text messages after fooling around with it in a short amount of time.  Unfortunately the man, who only wants to use it to make calls, will never fully realize what he has.  This device that he sees only as a phone could be so much more if he took the time to learn about it.  He will never know that it could be used access the Internet, take pictures, or play his music.  Without knowledge of the information presented in Understanding Comics, you are that that 90 year old man.  It is true that you can read and enjoy a comic book just fine without it, but you are missing so much.  With this book, McCloud will open your eyes so that you might fully comprehend and appreciate what the writer and/or artist are presenting.  After reading, it will be impossible to view comics in the same light as you once did. 

If you have never heard of Scott McCloud that is because, aside from short stints with DC, he has found the majority of his success as a creator with online comics and creator owned books that bring only a limited amount of wide spread notoriety.  In all likelihood if you do recognize the name you already know who he is.  McCloud has left his mark in comic world by identifying and defining the nuts and bolts of comics and his visions for what they can, could and should(or should not) be. Understanding Comics, ReinventingComics and Making Comics are nothing less than required reading for anyone with an academic interest in the medium or those thinking about creating their own comics, whether they want to be the next Alan Moore or just make an online strip that their friends and family can enjoy. 

I encourage any reader to check out his website scottmccloud.com to learn more about him and see some of the other things he has provided to the comic community.  You can also follow him here on twitter if you are so inclined.  McCloud is currently working on a graphic novel that should be published some time early next year titled, The Sculptor.  I am looking forward to the release and seeing how somebody who has demonstrated their vast knowledge and understanding of comics translate it into a polished story. 

NXS