This is an exploration of the history, meaning, and art of comics and cartooning. Using comics to examine the medium itself, the author takes the form of a cartoon character and explains the structure, meaning, and appeal of comics, and provides a running analysis of comics as art, literature, and communication. He reaches back to pre-Columbus picture manuscripts and Egyptian monuments to trace the history of the comics and examines their place in today's pop culture.
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Amazon Review
As all good card-carrying comic-book fans know, their sheer passion will never overcome narrow-minded critics and their baying cries of derision. There is far more to this perpetually underrated medium than a mix of art and prose. With this indispensable, spellbinding tome, writer/artist Scott McCloud rises to the challenge of dissecting what remains the most enigmatic of art forms. After all, says McCloud, "No other art form gives so much to its audience while asking so much from them as well". Over the course of 215 impeccably formed pages, McCloud joyously exposes and deconstructs a hidden world of icons in a most literate and valid manner. His charming guidance finds a place where Time and Space is effortlessly malleable and the reader is both a willing accomplice and necessary vessel for comics' singular magic. Cunningly presented in comic form, McCloud (or his comic equivalent) conducts a journey that spans thousands of years, taking in art from Prehistoric Man to the Egyptians to Van Gogh to Jack Kirby. Never has psychological and cultural analysis been so understandably clear, beautifully aided by clever visuals and his truly infectious love for the medium. By the end of this funny, charming, rare and exciting book, you'll not doubt the notion that a comic book "...is a vacuum into which our identity and awareness are pulled ... an empty shell that we inhabit which enables us to travel to another realm". A fine exchange for a little faith and a world of imagination. --Danny Graydon
Review
"A landmark dissection and intellectual consideration of comics as a valid medium."-- Will Eisner "McCloud is the McLuhan of comics."-- James Gurney, "Dinotopia"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By M. Board
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
There are precious few books around that really treat the comics medium seriously, or fully explore what is and may be possible in that medium. Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics" is one of the few and - for me - is the best of the bunch.
This book has tonnes of things going for it: McCloud's enjoyable and accessible cartoon-style delivery, which is itself a brilliant demonstration of how powerful a communication tool comics can be ... the infectious passion he has for his subject ... the bountiful results of his serious research and scrutinization ... I could go on.
Perhaps the best thing about "Understanding Comics", though, is McCloud's sheer imagination. When it comes to comics, he has a way of thinking and seeing that is almost completely uninhibited by any preconceptions. The result: he's constantly chucking ideas at you that surprise you and make you re-think about comics, writing, art and perception. You might not agree with everything he says, but the point is you're thinking about something you'd never have considered before. It's a truly eye-opening piece of work.
For readers and writers of comics alike, "Understanding Comics" is invaluable in helping you to appreciate 'sequential art'. For those who have never considered comics worth bothering about ... I urge you to get this book and read it. I guarantee it will make you think again, about comics in particular and art in general.
One final note: as I'm sure Scott McCloud himself would say, don't stop here. Check out other works such as "Comics and Sequential Art" by Will Eisner, or Alan Moore's essay "Writing for Comics". And any sequential art you can lay your hands on!
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A colleague who produces comics recommended this book to me as the definitive guide to the subject, and he was right. McCloud uses comic-strip techniques as elegant proof of the fact that comics really can get a message across to their audience. Apart from its obvious how-to value, this book is also a handy defence against the intellectual snobs who deride the medium (yes, that was me, once upon a time) because of its thoroughly researched and - dare I say it - scholarly approach. It's a surprising, enjoyable and educational guide by someone who clearly loves his work. I'll never see comics the same way again.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Scott McCloud has entertained readers with his wonderful comic, _Zot!_ Now he informs his readers in this, one of the greatest books on the psychology of comics ever written.
Shunning the usual nostalgic tone of most books written about comics, McCloud uses the comic format to discuss not the history of the X-Men, but rather the method of storytelling in which such characters are presented. He writes on a vast list of subjects, ranging from the meaning of the word "Comics" to the use of blank space between panels. The art style is simple where it needs to be and complex where it is required. The message comes across in panel after panel of information that is stated simply enough for everybody to understand, if they will only open their minds to these "Funny Books."
Scott McCloud's book is an invaluable resource. It allows you to stop merely reading comics, and start understanding them.
Shunning the usual nostalgic tone of most books written about comics, McCloud uses the comic format to discuss not the history of the X-Men, but rather the method of storytelling in which such characters are presented. He writes on a vast list of subjects, ranging from the meaning of the word "Comics" to the use of blank space between panels. The art style is simple where it needs to be and complex where it is required. The message comes across in panel after panel of information that is stated simply enough for everybody to understand, if they will only open their minds to these "Funny Books."
Scott McCloud's book is an invaluable resource. It allows you to stop merely reading comics, and start understanding them.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is one of the true necessities for anyone serious about cartooning and what Eisner calls "sequential art". It is NOT a how-to-draw book. Rather, it discusses the nature of drawing and cartooning, and how concepts are depicted through the pen - all with a very personal touch, the author speaking directly to you through the medium of cartooning. McCloud also examines the evolution of true comics from basic drawing, and how the "language" of cartooning has come to differ in different cultures. This book will make you think long and hard about the subject and what you do in it yourself.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Don't be mislead by the fact that this book is a comic book. In simple language and simplistic illustrations, McCloud conveys complex and exciting ideas about why and how art works. The resulting comic book is at once both profound and lucid. For anyone who has struggled to define the boundaries between literature and art, or between art and non-art, this book is an absolute must. Whether your favourite reading material is usually Batman comics or Noam Chomsky, "Calvin and Hobbes" or Calvin and Hobbes, you are guaranteed to be excited by this book!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
One of the highest functions -- and the most difficult -- of mankind is communication. The ability to translate concepts into pictures and symbols that accurately relate the substance of your thoughts -- this is the challenge.
Scott McCloud has created a triumph of communication. You, the reader, are easily and instantly transported into his universe, where you will journey on a wild, thought provoking tour of not only comics but all venues and dimensions of visual art.
In its own way this is a book as significant as Doug Hofstadter's "Godel, Escher, Bach" but MUCH more accessible through its simple graphic novel format.
Even if you've never read a comic before and have no plans to start, you will still be captivated by this journey through history, art, and creation.
Scott McCloud has created a triumph of communication. You, the reader, are easily and instantly transported into his universe, where you will journey on a wild, thought provoking tour of not only comics but all venues and dimensions of visual art.
In its own way this is a book as significant as Doug Hofstadter's "Godel, Escher, Bach" but MUCH more accessible through its simple graphic novel format.
Even if you've never read a comic before and have no plans to start, you will still be captivated by this journey through history, art, and creation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
good for illastration students
I bought this while doing an illustration course, it has been very useful for the course work. One of the few books the tutor recommended.
Published 2 months ago by Sandra L
5.0 out of 5 stars
Invaluable guide for anybody who loves comics
Scott's guide is a increase piece of work a must read for any aspiring writer or artist.
Or for any lover of comics or graphic novels I didn't appreciate the level of... Read more
Or for any lover of comics or graphic novels I didn't appreciate the level of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kevin Bulmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
Great Book, buy it!
This is a 200+ page comic book which will teach you how to understand the lines and dots that are in front of you. Read more
This is a 200+ page comic book which will teach you how to understand the lines and dots that are in front of you. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Architect19110110
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, thought-provoking, compelling
This is a great book, and one that I would recommend to everyone, no matter where they lie on the spectrum of comic-fan to comic-hater (in fact the comic-neutral or comic-hater... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Starswirl the Bearded
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read!
If you're interested in narrative or sequential illustration, this book breaks down in depth information that is very easy to take in.
Published 5 months ago by Mark Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A COMIC BOOK ABOUT ART
This is a fantastic comic book about comics and art in general. It discusses the history and prehistory of comics; their origins, how this particular art form evolved and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Eleni
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Wonderful
I begun reading it at night and couldn't stop before I was done.
If you love comics you'll love this book
If you are a writer or have anything to do with education you... Read more
If you love comics you'll love this book
If you are a writer or have anything to do with education you... Read more
Published 8 months ago by N. Dimou
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic!
A great book, now, a class in the world of graphic novels. Sums up all the lit terms you need to analyze graphic novels if you are new to the discipline.
Published 11 months ago by Pen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really good read
Good good book!
Extremely interesting and easy to read and at particular points, enlightening.
It is a really good read and covers many topics of comic books. Read more
Extremely interesting and easy to read and at particular points, enlightening.
It is a really good read and covers many topics of comic books. Read more
Published 13 months ago by FPS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Draw for comics? Well, start here......
If anyone is serious about wanting to learn about drawing for comics, then this is one of the best books on the market. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Michael McLaughlin
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