How to Draw Manga: Super Edition

Rating:
Summary: How to Draw Manga, American Style!
Review: First off: if you're one of those manga "purists" that considers Japanese-produced comics as the only "authentic" works of the genre, you probably won't like Antarctic Press' How to Draw Manga: Super Edition.

This is the first of several volumes, that compiles what was originally a monthly magazine series. Texas-based Antarctic Press (AP) was one of the first exponents of what has come to be called "American Manga," Japanese-style comics produced in the US. This "new" hybrid has been with us in some form for almost two decades now, so a "How to" book on "Amerimanga" such as this one is an idea whose time has come.

What distinguishes this HTDM series from the better-known translations of the Japanese "How to Draw Manga" books (published by Graphic-sha), is that the instruction is given by several of Antarctic's artists, all with years of experience working in the genre: Ben Dunn (the GODFATHER of American Manga--creator of Ninja High School, Warrior Nun Areala, Heaven Sent, just to name a few); Fred Perry (Gold Digger); and Rod Espinoza (Neotopia) among others.

Super Edition Vol. 1 presents the usual "basics" of comic art, particularly character and mechanical design. For example, Dunn gives a lesson on constructing bodies for several types of typical manga characters, while Perry show us how to build basic machines (or mecha) using simple geometric shapes.

The Super Edition has altered the original format of montly issues #1-4, grouping each section by artist. Interestingly enough, each artist covers some of the same topics, but approaches them in their distinctive styles (proving that US manga can be as artistically diverse as--if not more than--its Japanese progenitor). There are tons of examples from actual AP comics, used to demonstrate a particular technique.

My only reservation about Antarctic's HDTM is that there isn't a smoother progression from basic to more advanced concepts. You'll get better use from the book if you think of it as a "toolbox" or "workshop" of techniques.

But you get the first-hand know-how of AP's professionals, not merely theory. If you like this volume, keep in mind that there are three additional books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book
Review: This is book is great for beginners, want to learn to draw manga? Then this book should be high (if not on top) of your need-to-buy resources. Trust me its well worth it, vehicles, characters and mecha are great for beginners. You may however need another book for characters as this one keeps it basic but still its worth your money and more!

The author goes into drawing characters, panels in comic books. Furthermore he tells you how to draw mecha and vehicles (meaning spaceships, aircraft and cars. Altough the sections may not be so well depth as in other books it is more complete seeing as the author combined al of these different subject as where other books tend to stick to one subject as mecha or chracter design.

What are you waiting for? Buy it!