 Like seeing an old friend through fresh eyes |
| Review Date: April 19, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Dave Deubler, Pennsylvania |
This book is not strictly a graphic novel, but rather a mostly serious, occasionally whimsical analysis of the artistic medium known as "comics", done, naturally, as a comic book. McCloud attempts to define the medium itself (starting from Will Eisner's notion of "sequential art") and then proceeds to define the language of the form, and examine its various facets. Contrary to my expectations, McCloud does not make any assumptions or assertions about the actual content of comics, which to some might seem a major drawback, nor does he try to evaluate the quality of any specific style or product. Clearly, he wants to transcend such notions altogether and define the parameters of what comics could be, rather than what they all-too-often are.
McCloud investigates what there is about the medium that draws us to it, without going into such story-centric concepts as plot or characterization. He really doesn't even try to establish critical standards for this medium so much as just delineate the issues, and point out some of the difficulties inherent in a form that combines both writing and pictures.
While this may sound like a dry textbook, it's really much better than that. I most appreciated those moments (and there were many) where McCloud points out aspects of the medium that I'd always taken for granted (the gutters, for example) making me really think about facets of comics that I never even realized I knew. Maybe this book isn't as much pure fun as the comics we're used to, and certainly some of the middle chapters seemed to drag, but anytime you get the chance to look at an old friend through fresh eyes, it's got to be worth the effort. A must-read for anyone serious about comics, and a virtual bible for those interested in working in the field. |
Great study of the visual language
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| Review Date: March 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Simone, Washington, DC |
| The first time I encountered this book was in a painting class. Not only did it completely change the way I thought about comics, it also changed the way I think about the visual arts in general. McCleod's examples are clear, interesting, and funny. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys comics, wants to write them, or wants to create stimulating visual art in any medium. |
fantastic book
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| Review Date: February 6, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Leonid Yankulin, Israel |
| I've first see this book in my friend's home. I was amazed by colors, quality of paper and last but not least the content. I've never thought about the comics books in the way this one explains. and the form the explanation takes is adding a flavor to the reading experience. i'm enjoyed reading it (i did it already twice). this is a book that you can take from the shelf at any time, open at any page and read. of course, to do it you need first read it once from the first page to the last... :) |
Looking under the hood...
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| Review Date: January 30, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jack Bender, Zeeland, MI |
Scott McCloud has written a 216 page comic book to explain comic books. The artwork, language, humor or social criticism of comics are obvious to most comics readers, but McCloud delves deeply into the underpinnings of this world--the technical, invisible paradigm that supports the creation and consumption of comics.
Understanding Comics is a comic appreciation book. I was impressed with McCloud's grasp of the discipline's history, the psychology of the art and his own creativity when explaining his topic. For me, entering into this paradigm was very much like Thomas Kuhn discovering paradigms, when he said, "The scales have fallen from my eyes."
Those familiar with comics have recommended a couple of alternatives in their reviews, but still end up suggesting that this book deserves a place among the serious works about comics. I agree.
Jack H. Bender, author of Disregarded: Transforming the School and Workplace through Deep Respect and Courage |
What a great book
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| Review Date: January 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Smiling Buddha, Sunnyvale, CA United States |
Let me begin by saying that I am very design and artistically challenged. I enjoy art passively. "Understanding Comics" introduced me to concepts in art and comics specifically. Scott knows as much, if not more about comics as anyone else. This is a brilliant book which presents really complex concepts to the readers in a way that a reader can understand, appreciate and remember these concepts.
Why are we not taught these books at school. There is so much about design to learn from the book. I had borrowed the copy from a library but I am buying a copy now. |
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