MIKE PELLERITO, was recently named the new Managing Editor of Archie Comics. In addition to looking over the Archie universe he also editÃs some of Archie Comics most popular titles,
This column came about after having very few avenues to promote and find out about All Ages and Younger Reader Comics and Graphic Novels. Most knowledge seems to be passed along by word of mouth, so this is in the sprit the column is written. Now, sit back and join in the conversation!
To learn more about any of the above-mentioned projects please visit Archie Comics.com
Reader to Pro?
I WANT TO BECOME A COMIC PRO, CAN YOU HELP? MY KID WANTS TO BE COME A COMIC PRO, ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Anyone who has read comics has thought at one time or another how cool it would be to create their own comics and maybe one day enter the industry. We get this question a lot from many of the readers of Archie, especially the Sonic and Sonic X readers that tend to be a little older. Some of the aspiring professionals might be in grade school or high school and usually need some specific answers on how to get started. We try to write back and answer some specific questions they have, but so much comes in it is hard to keep up. Usually, a lot of the basics are missing, from script formatting, to page and layout size and some basic design mistakes.
Now whatever part of comics someone wants to enter - penciller, inker, colorist or letterer - it would be worth the time to learn more about the entire process. Comics as a rule are very much divided into categories and usually allow very little room for any crossing over jobs. Most writers came into the industry as writers and very few become pencillers or inkers and vice versa. Some are lucky enough to break the mold and find ways to showcase all their talents. A good piece of advice is to learn all areas of comics, something that will make you more valuable and more beneficial to work with.
Usually when we answer we pick out the most glaring problems and recommend the books they should be reading to get more in-depth answers. While this isn’t the be-all end-all of How-To lists, these are the books on my shelf and worth the trip to the library or the perfect gift to those future comic book pros.
BEGGINER:
One of the best books, and has been for a while and never seems to get old, is How To Draw The Marvel Way. Even if Marvel isn’t your cup of tea, remember the title is more for promoting Marvel than it is a guide to the Marvel way. All the basics from tools to the basics of design and layout are here, plus a brief overview of the entire process of making a comic. Consider this one a must have.
How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
Price: $16.00
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Fireside; Reprint edition (September 14, 1984)
Language: English
ISBN: 0671530771
Joe Kubert and his School in New Jersey (www.kubertsworld.com), has been churning out students for decades. Yours truly is one of them. While Kubert’s book is more toward the intermediate end of the beginners level it is still a good book for new artist to get their feet wet. It also focuses more towards the artistic side of comic creating.
Superheroes: Joe Kubert's Wonderful World of Comics
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 143 pages
Publisher: Watson Guptill Publications (February 2000)
Language: English
ISBN: 0823025616
INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED:
WRITING:
Written by the legendary editor/writer/teacher Denny O’Neil the DC Guide To Writing Comics is one of the most invaluable books around. The three act structure, the Levitz paradigm, graphic novels, mini series, maxi series, dialogue tips; it is all here and explained simply and in a straightforward manner. If there has ever been a handbook on how it’s done, this is it. With advice from an accomplished writer and the added perspective of an editor, (a person who would be buying or not buying your scripts) this book is highly recommended.
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (May 2001)
Language: English
ISBN: 0823010279
As one of the most popular comic/novel/screenwriters, Peter David, has put together one of the better books on the ins and outs of creating a comic and especially how to work with the other creators making their life easier and yours too. Same rule applies to this book, as does How To Draw The Marvel Way, regardless of how you feel about his writing this is a must read book on how its done.
Writing for Comics With Peter David
Price: $19.99
Paperback: 175 pages
Publisher: Impact Books (OH) (June 23, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 1581807309
INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED:
ART:
Just like the others in this line from DC, this volume on Pencilling helps move the bigger on to the next stage in their development. Covering tools of the trades and touching on techniques and tricks, this is a perfect book for the artist who has already read How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way and is ready to move to the next level.
The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (March 2002)
ISBN: 0823010287
The best way for someone to give their work a professional look is to learn how to letter. Often the most over-looked part of putting a comic together is the lettering. Lettering is the hand that guides readers through the story. From a catchy looking logo to well placed dialogue balloons that add to the flow of the story. The added benefit of this book from DC is half the material is devoted to color and its use in comics and how style plays a part in the story telling. The only negative is the color section really could have been a book on its own. Regardless, an excellent addition to your reference library.
The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (October 2004)
Language: English
ISBN: 0823010309
Comicraft has been one of the leaders in computer lettering since its inception. With a brief overall history of lettering it goes right to some of the most used modern techniques. While it probably would be a good idea to try to learn hand lettering, the computer today does most lettering and this is a good place to start learning.
Comic Book Lettering: The Comicraft Way
Price: $9.95
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Active Images (June 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN: 0974056731
While the coloring style in comic varies from title to title some of the more flashy tricks, tips, and tutorials are nicely illustrated in How To Color For Comics. With a big client list from their own Antarctic Press to marvel at these guys have worked on it all and allow us a peak inside how it’s done.
Antarctic Press Presents: How To Color For Comics by Guru-eFX
Price: $29.95
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Antarctic Press; Bk&CD-Rom edition (February 23, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN: 1932453415
Inking is more than tracing. And these three books explain the hows, whats and whys of inking and offer several different approaches and examples from some of the best pencillers and inkers in the business.
The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (August 2003)
Language: English
ISBN: 0823010295 
The Art of Comic-Book Inking
Publication Date: Oct 15, 1997
Price: $24.95
ISBN-10: 1-56971-258-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-56971-258-0
The Art of Comic-Book Inking Vol. 2
Price: $24.95
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2002
Format: Soft cover, 64 pages plus artboards, b&w 8 1/2" x 11"
Price: $14.95
ISBN-10: 1-56971-613-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-56971-613-7
INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED
GENERAL SHOULD HAVE’S:
If you haven’t heard of Will Eisner you should have. A pioneer of the industry and master storyteller. How good is he? If you have a good year you can win an award called an Eisner. That’s how good he is. Eisner has a series of books out some excellent how to and this one Shop Talk, which is just what the title says, Eisner and another comics pier having a conversation about their life and work. While some of the interviews are older, the information is still priceless.
Will Eisner's Shop Talk
Price: $19.95
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse; 1st edition (May 30, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN: 156971536X
If a college has a class on comics these three books are always on the list. If you are still interested in comics and are at least on a high school level consider these a must. These three books go into theory as to why you should do something, not just how to.
Will Eisner’s Comics & Sequential Art
Price: $22.99
Paperback: 163 pages
Publisher: Poorhouse Press; Expanded Ed edition (November 1985)
Language: English
ISBN: 0961472812
Will Eisner's Graphic Storytelling
Price: $22.99
Paperback: 164 pages
Publisher: Poorhouse Press (February 1996)
Language: English
ISBN: 0961472820
Scott McClouds’ Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
Price: $22.95
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (April 27, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN: 006097625X
Lots of younger readers are more into Manga than anything else on the comic stands. This line of Manga How-To is as good as anything out there. For those picking up these books for a younger reader, give the books a flip through; there may be some unclothed shots for figure studies.
How To Draw Manga: Ultimate Manga Lessons Volume 1: Drawing Made Easy
Price: $13.99
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Graphic-Sha; English Ed edition (March 25, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN: 4766115244
Two magazines worth reading are Draw! Covering the art side of comics and Write Now! Cover the writing part of comics. Clever titles. Both are handled by comic’s pros Mike Manley and Danny Fingeroth respectively. Not only lots of good how-tos but they interview how creators do things personally. There is no one way to do any thing and both of these magazines give you as many avenues as possible. Draw! Has a life drawing section so again some unclothed figures will be in the magazine. Just a head up for younger readers and those buying for them.
Draw! Magazine
Write Now! Magazine
Twomorrows.com
The Bridgman and Hogarth series of anatomy books are excellent. If you have a problem, these books have a volume on how to fix it. Again lots of life drawing mostly unclothed figures, so another warning to younger readers and those buying for them.
Burne Hogarth's Dynamic Art Books
George B. Bridgman Art Books
Well, that is it for this Tuesday; hopefully a few holiday gift ideas came out of this column. Next Tuesday, learn about a big mistake a reader of this column caught and what we can do to fix it.
As always thank you for reading, and feel free to send your comments, questions, insults and recommendations to: MikeP@SilverBulletComicbooks.com
Check out some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
SEP060253 SHOWCASE PRESENTS SHAZAM VOL 1 TP $16.99
SEP063071 ARCHIE #571 $2.25
SEP063074 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #175 $3.69
OCT060236 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #28 $2.25
OCT060240 LOONEY TUNES #145 $2.25
JUN062816 GARGOYLES #2 $3.50
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