Understanding Comics

The Invisible Art

215 pages

English language

Published Oct. 12, 1994 by A Kitchen Sink Book for HarperPerennial.

ISBN:
978-0-06-097625-5
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5 stars (1 review)

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.

13 editions

Review of 'Understanding Comics' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

My culture pick for Nonfiction November, I originally read this book for a University class on comics as literature but seeing as how I am trying to develop my comic book review skills I decided it was high time for a reread.

Overall I really loved the tone of the book. Narrated by the author himself, I found it incredibly approachable and easy to read. While McCloud does tackle a number of pretty deep products, his playful and imaginative approach always keeps things interesting.

Another reason I really appreciated Understanding Comics is because of how inclusive it felt. Far from focusing exclusively on western comics, McCloud looks at American, Eastern and European comics and narrative arts in general throughout most of history. I was incredibly impressed by the breadth of this comic.

Far from being a book only for academic study, I think anyone who has an interest in the …

Subjects

  • Comic books, strips, etc. -- Juvenile literature.
  • Periodicals -- Publishing -- Juvenile literature.
  • Comic books, strips, etc. -- Authorship
  • Cartoons and comics -- History and criticism.