Understanding Comics

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: Scott McCloud has created simply the finest book I've seen on cartooning theory. It is clear and visually clever, and it exposes you to new ideas no matter what your level of visual understanding. Best of all, it is not just about cartooning but about the way our society digests visual images. It easily is the best book I've read on this subject since Berger's "Ways of Seeing." In this mediacentric society, "Understanding Comics" should be required reading.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have Book If Any Truly Exist
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A landmark work, dont miss it!
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Teachers! Open connections for concept maps, gifted ed, etc.
Review: I obtained this volume because of curiosity and treasure it for the potential of communication it conveys. It builds layers of understanding and some of the ideas (such as mapping out a bar graph of each comic's characteristics) have helped me plan content approaches for classes. It is like the proverbial whack on the side of the head! You wonder why you never thought about these things. There is potential for using this as a mini-course in talented and gifted courses. I have used ideas from this in explaining things from concept mapping to clearing the mystery of dimensional analysis for science classes. This is a treasure of a book which which will provide insight and inspiration to those who are captured by its wonderful approach to the art and communication of comics. (A second copy permanently remains in my reading-room/water-closet. It's a great short or long read!

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably great!
Review: This is an amazing book and one that is essential to anyone interested in communicating ideas visually. Would love to hear McCloud's take on the Web

Rating:
Summary: It's a must to really understand the language of comic art
Review: The best analysis of the medium. Just that. And that is the reason why I wanted it in Italian too. So I looked for a publisher and now you can find it in Italy. Take a look here http://www.alpcom.it/fumetti/undit.htm to see the Italian edition.

Rating:
Summary: A book as important as it is interesting.
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: The Comic as both Art and Science
Review: Disregard the Sanchez Review. If it is not fiction, Mr. Sanchez has no interest in it. This is a most interesting book that adds to the legitimacy of the comic book as literature and an art/science. A plus to collectors and readers.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic review of a media
Review: Recently, I have started to be a fan of webcomics, and my boyfriend, a long-time comic reader introduced me to this book. I read it in less than a day, and was amazed at how little credit I was giving to this artform, as well as the even littler credit others were giving it. When I finished, I immediately read the sequel: Reinventing Comics, then went to the comic book store and had a good browse around. I would suggest this book to anyone interested in literature, visual arts, and combined medias. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: Art History and Aesthetics class as a comic!
Review: I have a very personal reason for loving this book. When I was an undergrad at Syracuse University in the early 80's there was a crazy Art History and Aesthetics Prof named Larry Bakke, who really changed the way I looked at art and media in general.

Bakke has since died and I am thrilled to find that someone who really grasped the ideas that Bakke presented has applied those ideas to comics in the media of a comic book.