It’s been awhile since I’ve done a book review. You’ve probably read some of the basic books on comics theory like the works of Scott McCloud and Will Eisner. But there are those of you who want a more thorough text on how to make comics. Well, look no further. If you want to know how to make comics, then you have a strong option in the book Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Jessica Abel and Matt Madden
Now some of you may have taken a look at the books on comics and cartooning at your local library or friendly neighborhood bookstore. More of you may have looked over the author names and wonder “who are these people”. It was John MacLeod of the Small Press Comics FAQ who talks about a concept called “M’s Law” and that is this: any substantial book on how to draw cartoons will be written by an artist you never heard of before, whose own art is particularly average and uninspiring.
However, that is definitely NOT the case with Abel and Madden. Both definitely have much skill and they know that they’re talking about. I can personally vouch for Matt Madden. It was he who had got me started on using brushes and nib pens (more on that in a bit). Plus I learned much about storytelling through his seminars. Anyway, how does this book stack up? Continue reading
