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Summary: Scoffers & outsiders, this is your entry to comics
Review: Parents of kids who are into comics ... educators ... law enforcement officers ... ANYONE who deals with kids & teens or ANYONE who's mystified why some adult they know reads comics, this book will change what you thought you knew. I read it as research before reading Japanese comics as an attempt to better understand a specific group of teens I'm writing about. I hadn't read many comics ever, beyond Asterix, Tintin, Maus II, Bloom County, Calvin & Hobbes, Dilbert & Mutts. I thought I knew what comics were (for children, entertainment, very rarely serious, simple). I was wrong on every count. For my specific needs, I especially appreciated McCloud's discussion of manga & it's greatly helped my subsequent reading of manga. Many of the ideas he discusses--such as thoughts on the space between panels--are just downright enlightening & thought-provoking. Just one example for me was his suggestions on how comics are not something we merely observe but something we become, which really helped me grasp the appeal. McCloud literally opened a new world to me, comics, leading me to enjoy them for pleasure, not just one research project. Perhaps his greatest achievement is that it is his own book--Understanding Comics--that becomes the very best reason to listen to McCloud's insistent plea to take comics seriously & give them their rightful credit. This book is truly outstanding & especially recommended to those who would scoff.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: This book spells out alot of stuff that those who love comics have thought about but never been able to articulate. Understanding Comics is my favourite book. It lit such a fire in me that I was able to absorb a hair of McCloud's passion for comics and create one of my own. Thank you Scott.
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Summary: The Zen of all visual media
Review: Lofty praise, indeed, but its unassuming tone taught me more about media (and humility in the face of its power) than months of struggling through McLuhan.
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Summary: Deep and Clear
Review: I expected this book to be a witty and well-done presentation of mostly stuff that I already knew; but it was much more than that. McCloud has a deep understanding of art and society and people, and a completely lucid presentation.There are neat and useful new ways of thinking about comics here (his comparisons of American and Japanese comics, his theories of panel transitions and why comic characters are sometimes drawn more simply than the backgrounds, his comments on the psychological impact of color), and for that matter ways of thinking about art in general, and design in general. And he makes masterly use of the comic medium itself to present the material in a way that never drags or confuses. I hope someone programs the Orbital Mind Control Lasers so that McCloud extends this book into a whole series on the theory and practice of comics, and another on general visual design. The world needs it!
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Summary: A profound book about more than comix
Review: This is one of my favorite books and one of the most insightful, unique, and enjoyable books that I've ever read. I have recommended it to many people, bought copies for several of them, and own two copies myself so that I can lend out one. I recommend it VERY strongly to anyone who's involved with designing Internet sites. Although it's not about that subject directly, it has more wisdom about the design of sites than any Web design book I've ever read or seen. Afterall, the Web is basically a 'page' structure, with text and graphics, just like a comic. Also, you'll learn more about art history from this book than you will from most art history classes (I know, I went to art school...). And did I mention that it's funny too! -E
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Summary: Delves into everything you ever (sorta) wanted to know...
Review: Absolutely wonderful. Aparently, Sir McCloud finds Will Eisner (spelling?) to be a god of comics, because he makes references to him throughout the book. He explains things about the spaces between panels, the definition of what comics is, the first comics and history, color, expressing time and movement on a still board... wonderful.
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Summary: Wonderful book for everyone. MUST READ :)
Review: I first read this book when it came out in 1993, I guess the demand was unanticipated as I could not find a copy to purchase for myself until the second printing was finished. Scott McCloud brilliantly and thoughtfully examines not just comic books, but how we view ourselves, how society views comics (And how comics influence society!) and goes in depth into storytelling, form and substance. I'd recommend this book for anyone who is interested in comic and cartooning as a profession, or as a passing interest, and I recommend it to those who are skeptical about the comic storytelling medium as it contains insights that I've never seen discussed so eloquently. All schools should have a copy of this in their library :) Don't let the comic book format fool you, this is a great book! (My favourite chapter is the one on icons.. and how we see ourselves in everything.. :) )
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Summary: A masterpiece!!
Review: The title may be "Understanding Comics," but McCloud's work covers much much more. After tackling the question of What is a comic? We uncover the truth about design, form, abstraction, and above all Art. This is a must for any artist.
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Summary: Indispensable reading for anyone interested in visual design
Review: Understanding Comics is without doubt one of the greatest books written on the subject of comics, and one of the best books written on visual communication. I got it back in '93 and used it as part of Master's thesis. This book is "written" in comic book format making the explanations intuitive and practical. But, don't be fooled: This is a serious book (and a lot of fun). I highly recommend this book!
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Summary: This should be read by every student of the visual arts.
Review: Understanding Comics lucidly covers material that should be of interest, not only to comic book artists, but to every student of contemporary design. McCloud explains the various mechanisms that artists use to create compelling combinations of images and words, and why audiences respond to them. Since comics are sequential art, this book applies directly to design problems encountered in internet and multi-media design. At the other end of the spectrum, there are insights about basic drawing technique. Understaning Comics covers it all.
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