How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way Reviews

• A GOOD PLACE TO START

  
  By A2IBS27RBKV3LJ on 2000-12-16
  The art of drawing comics can be very demanding, and any attempt to create a how-to that can teach all of its elements in equal depth is doomed to imperfection. That being said, this is a good starting point for young artists who think they may have some skill and need to know what to do with it.

  This was one of the first real "how to draw comics" books and has become a classic over the years. The book describes the tools of the trade, the terms used, and the "Marvel" creation process, covers the basics of anatomy, form, perspective, layout, and the use of black, gives techniques on inking and lettering, and shows examples of how the art can make a story more exciting. Stan Lee's prose is fun to read and John Buscema's art is very clear in illustrating the principles being taught.

  If Buscema's art looks a little dated today, it may be because first off, this book was made to be simple and easy to understand, and the art is done likewise, not cluttered up with intense detail and crosshatching. It may also be because he has a solid foundation of a knowledge of anatomy and how to compose a picture for maximum clarity and effect which, unfortunately, certain influential contemporary artists don't have.

  This book does not have the room to go into depth on the deeper concepts of comic theory (how to lay out a page, for instance, or how words and images can be used together to heighten mood). For that I would reccomend Will Eisner's "Comics and Sequential Art." For giving a good, basic overall foundation, however, this book does, however, deserve a place on the shelf of any comic artist.
  
  

• SORRY, STAN

  
  By AWI5YJF7TCN92 on 1999-12-03
  When I was a teenager, this book was the bible for any kid wanting to get into comics. In retrospect, I wonder why--I mean, it's not really informative and it doesn't give anything away--i.e., give you any details on the finer point of comic book storytelling and drawing. In short, it's as instructional as a Lee Ames book, and that's not saying much. Besides, in light of the new direction that comic books are going these days, it's a bit dated. If you really want to get into comics, here are four great books to get you started: The Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques (an overview of cartooning, from technical stuff to business aspects), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Science Art Techniques, Chris Hart's How To Draw Animation (because animation helps a lot, kids!), and let's not forget Wil Eisner's great book that started it all! Sorry, Stan. My verdict--2 stars; but add an extra star if you're a 12 year old aspiring comic book artist just for it's inspirational benefits.
  
  

• An essential reference book for all artists!

  
  By on 1998-11-10
  I think every serious or aspiring artist should own this book. I've had a copy since the early '80s, andit became so dog-eared from frequentuse, that I had to buy another. John Buscema is an excellent teacher. After all, if you're goingto learn to draw, you might as well learn from the best; and John IS the best, IMO. Among other things, the book contains vital rules for drawing in perspective, and drawing lifelike human faces and figures. This is not just a book for comic fans, or kids, it's for everyone!
  
  

• Absolutely incredible....

  
  By AV0UI6EH222WV on 2002-03-24
  This is not only the best and most comprehensive book in learning to draw comic book style art, this has some of the most basic, yet most critical drawing techniques, techniques such as the vanishing point, character swatches, layouts and breaking figures down into shapes, for example... I did not have this advantage when I was learning to draw. When I started out as a child, I discovered all of these techniques the difficult way, through trial & error...A process that regrettably takes years. I wish I knew about this book when I was a kid. If I had, I would have advanced so much more as an artist, I couldn't even imagine where I'd be today.

  Anyways, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how to draw, period. This really is THE book, people. Search no more. It LITERALLY contains everything I know on drawing techniques (& I've been drawing since I've been old enough to hold a pencil). And not only is it informative, it's extremely fun! The way they present thier lessons, reading & practicing along with it makes you feel like you're goofing off with a comic book, as if you weren't learning anything (although you are). Ideal for those with a 30 sec.(or less) attn. span. The only thing that keeps me from rating it 5 stars, however, is that they should encourage readers to take up more of an interest in drawing real life, things around you, as well as comics. Because it's real life elements that serves as inspiration for the true comic book artist. Real life drawing is the foundation for comic book style art.
  
  

• This book has its place on any beginner's shelf.

  
  By A3O5PUROM9AU5B on 2004-12-28
  I owned this book many years ago and have access to a copy. I even own the recently released digital version.
  
  What Lee and Buscema have brought forth is fine for the aspiring but unskilled artist. You learn the very basic method of producing comics in an old style used decades ago by the 'greats' in comic artistry. Unfortunately, for those hoping this book provides a modern foundation, things have progressed significantly and almost unabatedly.
  
  Those seeking to create comics have to understand the market will not bear another Stan Lee, or even a Jae Lee, imitation. To survive in the tight economics of comic book rendering, an artist must produce something original in style, form and imagination. Rehashing Buscema line work will not 'make the grade', to use a cliche.
  
  That being said, this book has its merits for those willing to start somewhere other than 'real' art books. This volume provides the basic infrastructure to create artwork reminiscent of Spiderman 1975.
  
  My suggestion to all would-be comic artists: eschew this book, learn the human form from all perspectives, poses and attitudes. Learn from non-idealized, non-stylized drawing sessions based on real life. From there, drawing a superhero, in your own way, will become a task far more advantageous commercially and artistically. You will be capable of producing a genuinely original and attractive style, capturing the attention of potential employers.
  
  Other than that, it makes for a decent rainy Sunday hobby.
  
  That's my two cents, here's your change.
  
  
• Make Mine Marvel!!!
  By A1NP6B0ZWI4GD1 on 2002-12-21
  I finished reading this book today (December 21, 2002) and I found equal to Tom Alvarez's book (reviewed separately). While this book didn't discuss clothing and drapery like Tom's book, it did discuss foreshortening the human figure more. Like Tom's book though, it didn't have a chapter on bone and muscle structure which I believe are important (i.e. what if you have to draw for a horror or fantasy book where zombies or skeletons are the norm?). The book does refer to you anatomy books in the bibliography including reference to animal drawing books.

  I'm now window shopping at Amazon for a good step-by-step anatomy book suited for comics-art. I think I'm going to get Figure Drawing Without a Model by Ron Tiner (I wanted to get Jack Hamm's How to Draw The Head and the Figure but Ron's book has more pages plus it's more recent - Jack's book was published in 1983 and one of the reviewers said that his characters look like 50's cartoons).
  
  

• Awesome Starter's Book
  By A38N7SFDOB3MR3 on 2006-06-17
  I received this book over 20 years ago, and I can't begin to tell you how it ignited a fire within me to draw. This is a great book for those who wish to draw superhoroes, but don't have a clue where to start. There are very few books that we remember as we age, but for me this is one of them.
  
  
• I hope you Find USEFULL this review
  By A30H6EI80N563W on 2002-08-20
  First I wanted to see when I was looking for a drawing book is a review wich tell me if this is a good book and I tell you something ¿Why do you think I give five stars to this book?... exact!!, the book explains everything of the basics needed to draw comics. Oh, you can draw your own characters but you can't draw them in action, or you can't draw faces, or you can't make them keep the proportions, or they don't have the right perspective or anything like that, well I tell you something: YOU NEED THIS BOOK. The only "weak point" I find in the book is that the comic style is a little old (70-80) but as the great Stan Lee says: "You can bend the rules when you've learned them perfectly" ¿what does it mean?, after you know the basics you can draw your own super heroe/villain with the actual style [I preffer the John Buscema draws GREAT ONES!! :)]
  So ¿do you want to know what you will learn or when you need the book? ok I'll tell you:

  If you don't know how to start drawing

  "Lesson 1: The Tools-and The Talk-of The Trade!"
  If you draws seems flat and unreal
  "Lesson 2: The Secrets of-Form! making an object look real"
  If your stuff seems out of place
  "Lesson 3: The Power of-Perspective!"
  If your human characters seems anormal
  "Lesson 4: Let's Study the-Figure!"
  If you CAN'T draw a human being
  "Lesson 5: Let's Draw the-Figure!"
  If you can't draw heroes/villains in action, think in a lesson name
  "Lesson 6: The Name Of The Game is-Action!"
  If your heroes/villains seems out of perspective guess what
  "Lesson 7: Foreshortening! The Knack of Drawing the Figure in Perspective!"
  If your heroes/villains seems with horrible heads
  "Lesson 8: Drawing the Human Head!"
  All that is what you need to draw exellent characters, HUMAN characters and the book have four chapters more named:
  "Lesson 9: Composition !"
  "Lesson 10: Draw Your Own Comic Book Page!"
  "Lesson 11: Te Comicbook Cover!"
  "Lesson 12: The Art Of Inking!"

  But take notice of this, the book tell you how to draw humans, HUMANS, my draw style has improved since I buy this masterpiece.
  Keep in mind, you must have a little practice in drawing, also remember that the book doesn't teach you how to make shadows. If you have the money and can't do anything from the chapters then buy it. BUT, but if you already can do everything from the chapters then don't buy it.
  And/or if you're looking for advanced drawing methods This book isn't for you.

  As a final note I will tell you this. If your drwaws seem to be done like you draw with the foots, BUY IT. If your draws seem very good, have perspective, good faces, right proportions, and only need shadows then DON't buy it.
  Hope you found usefull this review and another thing, in every lesson the first page is a good quick draw of John Buscema that's an excelent detail.
  I WILL NEVER SELL THIS BOOK

  Oh, I almost forgot Manga [stinks], DC & Marvel RULES!!
  
  

• Nice progression with the tasks
  By A2KB14WCZ1DVE3 on 2002-09-17
  I remember when this book came out years ago, and was always curious about it. But other of life's callings caused me to never pursue it. Now that I have a six-year-old boy who likes to draw, it renewed it's interest with me, and yes, I picked up a copy from Amazon.com. I'll review it on two fronts.

  First, I looked through it myself. I was impressed with the way they started you off with the basics, and got progressively harder. One could say "Duh!" to this, but the good point about it is that it gets you into actually drawing the famous Marvel characters relatively early. Like with the second lesson. It also takes you into the world of the things to look out for if you were involved in putting an actual comic book together. So not only do they cover how to do the action figures, it shows how to draw backgrounds to provide prospective, covers the topic of inking, and even has a chapter on drawing covers! So it does cover the entire spectrum.

  Second was how the boy took to it. While he has a busy schedule, and while no, he doesn't spend every waking hour with it, when he does he has been known to spend a couple hours per sitting practicing the drawing. Once I got him past the idea that the first one had to be perfect, and that practicing over and over again was what made you a good illustrator, he took to it very well.
  
  

• Great book for any "wanna-be" comic artist!!!
  By AZEJ5MMR4XNRZ on 2003-02-28
  Have you ever wanted to learn to draw comics? If you have, this book is the place to start. How to Draw Comics: the Marvel Way teaches A-Z on comic-book drawing, using the Marvel comics style.
  The book is written by one of the founders of Marvel comics, Stan Lee, and is illustrated by veteran Marvel artist John Bucema. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to draw comics.
  The writer uses many pictures with excellent analysis of each. He writes as if he's talking to you, using a humorous tone. This book would be comprehensible for teens through adults.
  The book includes many excellent pictures which make it very comprehensible, and fun to read.
  How to Draw Comics: the Marvel Way is an great starting point for any "wanna-be" comic-book artist.
  
  
• A "Must Have" for the budding cartoonist
  By A1ZFLUF6JC2JVZ on 2004-09-16
  Even if superheroes are not your cup of tea, get this book. You'll learn more about inking, perspective, proper form, drawing for impact and structure than any other tome. Action comics are hard to do and the beginner needs all the help they can get and you'll find it here.
  
  
• Absolutely Super
  By AIJJB21124MW3 on 2005-07-04
  I'll start off by admitting that this book is a bit on the begginers level. However, the first time I picked up this book was when I was seven. Over the years I kept checking it out of the library over and over just to draw the pictures in the book. I didn't even read it until I bought the book at the age of 16. Any time since then that a person has asked me how they can learn to draw super heroes, I always reference this book. I tell them to skip the reading, draw everything, and then go back to read it, then draw everything after they do that.
  
  It's an easy read and was truely inspirational to me in developing my own style of comic art. One of my top favorite books ever.
  
  -Matt
  
  
• Beginning-Intermediate Bestseller
  By A1KAAVZOHW640S on 2006-03-01
  A bestseller for people of beginning-to-intermediate ability, this book has been an inspiration to many, many people...
  Its real popularity and genius lie in its effective use of exciting, pencil-drawn Marvel characters to give us a basic understanding of Marvel comic-making in general. It's *still* one of the BEST introductions to comicbook making available today.
  My favorite things here: Stan Lee's writing- he keeps things lively & entertaining; John Buscema's drawing- his pencil drawings in this book compare favorably with even *today's* newest professionals (at least in my opinion...); the *entire* chapter on drawing the human head; the crisp pencils & teaching in chapters 9 & 10- on composition & penciling the actual professional comics page; *every* Jack Kirby drawing; and then maybe most inspirational & influential of all- this book's semi-*famous* Bibliography (???)...
  It's true- The reason this part is semi-famous is because it successfully recommends to us some of the BEST how-to-draw type teachers ever: George Bridgman, Burne Hogarth, Ernest Watson, Jack Hamm, etc. Personally, I prefer *different* titles than what's recommended here (e.g. My favorites= The Book of a Hundred Hands; Dynamic Figure Drawing; and The Art of Pencil Drawing), but mentioning these authors effectively steers a person in the right direction. In this sense- this Bibliography *itself* is worth the entire price of the book(!). Many professionals *today* have picked up skills from these great teachers. In conclusion: Highly Recommended!
  
  
• Drawing for comic books
  By AL2J0OHZ1UC34 on 2005-10-19
  This book won't teach you how to draw. If you have any talent, then you're already drawing all the time anyway, and drawing anything and everything you can. This book will tell you how to draw for comic books, which requires more than just good draftsmanship; it also requires the ability to tell a story in pictures.
  
  Buscema covers perspective too, telling you what you need to know about it to get started. (Books dedicated to the subject won't tell you any more.)
  
  In addition to the drawing tutorials, Buscema gives some instruction on inking. He explains the techniques, and then it's up to you to practice and master them.
  
  This is a great book, and it's still valuable. Illustrating styles in comic books may have changed since it was published, but the fundamentals are the same, and there's no one better to teach them than Buscema.
  
  
• awsome
  By on 2000-02-20
  If you're a kid who is really serouse about comic art...this book's for you. If you're a kid who is tired of stick men and wants some instruction...this book's for you. If you have ever marveled at comic pros like Jim Lee, Andy& Adam Kurburt and countless others...this books for you. If ya wanna know how to construct a hero or villin...this books for you. But if you are majoring in art at highschool...this book IS NOT for you! This book is best described as a transition betwean the kiddi stuff and learning the real hard core stuff behind comic art.
  
  
• One of the Best
  By on 1999-09-20
  I first came across this book several years ago, but at first wasn't interested (I'm not much of a Marvel fan...though Spidey is always cool). But upon inspection, it's easy to see that this book is far more usual than for just sketching spandex-clad super guys (and gals).

  From the basics to a more mature level, HTDCTMW is a friendly, easy to reference, awesome volume on perspective and application.

  Drawing comics, like any other art form, is a gift and there's nothing that can 'teach' you that. Maybe a more 'acclaimed' book can teach you to copy, but it can't teach you to draw. This one comes pretty darn close.
  
  

• Worth the money...for at least one great lesson.
  By AHBQIH6PZU9C2 on 1999-12-29
  My Mom bought this book for me when I was about 12 years old. I was going to be the next Frank Frazetta/ John Byrne... so I was very excited to get it for a birthday. It taught me alot about perspective, figure drawing, presentation, and lettering..at least it got me started. But the most important thing I learned from this book was to draw constantly-- draw anything and everything, every day for the rest of my life. That's what will make you a good artist.
  
  
• it's not about learning how to draw!
  By on 1999-06-15
  To me it seemed that the intention of the book was not to teach anyone how to draw, despite the complaints of most readers, but simply how to draw comics with the overral structure of Marvel comics. The chapter about the angles of the scenes and how they position the characters shows how people at Marvel would do it and how other people would and at that intent the book is absolutely perfect. It is actually, in my humble opinion, more useful as reference to experienced artists than to people who don't know how to draw. If we have a look at most comic books we find on a newstand we will have in our hands works of very experienced artists yet with not nearly as much "intensity" as Marvel's.
  
  
• Good nostalgia
  By on 2002-09-06
  No one is more qualified than Stan "The Man: Lee and "Big
  John" Buscema. Stan's trademark prose and Buscema's art
  establish the foundation for what will become a good learning
  experience for any aspiring young artist. Got my copy back
  in 81 or 82. Had to replace it in 92 (things get lost when
  moving.). And it still has an honorary place on my shelf.
  If you are a kid with an interest in learning to draw, this
  book is a good place to start. It keeps things simple.
  However, you probably don't want to make it your bible.
  The Marvel Way as outlined in this text was established by an
  older generation of creators who are now mostly retired
  or died off.
  (Indeed, John Buscema passed away earlier this year)
  The new jack fandom of artists is proven to have their own
  aesthetics and principles and may clash with some of what
  this book teaches. And BTW, this all started to
  happen long before the intrusion of the manga/anime style,so
  there are other aspects to blame.

  As pure nostalgia, this book isn't bad at all. And you could
  always give it to your kids.
  
  

• A great foundation for comic book artists
  By A22OW0U03BBRQI on 2002-10-05
  I bought the book under influence from a friend of mine who said it was essential if you wanted to draw superhero comics. I can tell you, I was NOT disappointed. It starts off with the basics. Later going into the obvious subject, how to draw great superhero comics. I learned alot from this book, e.g.the human head and the vital information on the stance of the character you draw or create.

  If there is a down side to the book, you could say it is also it's greatest aspect. It is the variety of subject it goes into. This book will help you become good at ALL (or at least most) of the subjects it goes into. Which is a great thing. But it doesn't teach you to be great at any of them. Which is pretty obvious since this is a book that teaches you every aspect of drawing great comics. After you've read this book (and you want to keep progressing), you really should check out the books which the authors suggest on each subject "touched upon in this volume" (quoting the book).

  A must buy, an essential if you will.
  
  

• Not just for Comics
  By A4A0DVY24HL0H on 2006-11-09
  I am a seasoned professional graphic designer/illustrator and I sometimes give private art lessons on the side. I give every student a copy of this book, as it is kid-friendly (no nudes and lots of cool characters to keep kids interested) and gives a really solid overall explanation of universal drawing fundamentals.
  
  This is the best book I've found for sharing the basics of drawing and design with kids and big kids. I'm about to buy another copy to give someone.
  
  
• An introduction to drawing comics
  By on 2000-07-30
  The character styles in this book are dated (men look like slightly bigger women). You will not learn how to draw huge men or extreemly shapely women with this book. It just skims the surface of most issues.

  Still it is a good introduction to drawing. It teaches all the basic rules. I have had my copy for years and I still like reviewing it every once in a while.
  
  

• Even if you LOATHE Marvel comics, this book is good.
  By on 1999-09-11
  I'm not a fan of most Marvel comics, particularly the 60s and 70s style this book is presented in. But the techniques it demonstrates (more lucidly than a lot of others) are useful for any style of comic art (or even for laying out more realistic drawings). Most fan-artists who THINK they know how to draw (but they don't and it shows) could stand to take a look at this book.
  
  
• They're Still Big: The Comics Got Small
  By A9F5APAXWROXU on 2002-07-10
  They used to know how to tell stories about characters with pictures- and if anybody cares, here's what they knew. In an age when comics are all about layers upon layers of muscles drawn by people with no basic command of simple anatomy or proportion; in an age where comics are all about melodramatic, showy over-staging and over-the-top page layouts, and characters with no personalities; in an age where comics are basically dead, this book deserves a quick peek.
  
  
• The Most Helpful I've Read!!!
  By on 2002-09-12
  The Marvel way is the best way! I have drained bookstores and libraries for every drawing guide I can find. I was foutunate I found it. Before, I was drawing ... versions of anime like figures. Now I can draw people (and some objects) with out batting an eyelash! The best thing about this book is the fact that it covers everything you could possible want to know about drawing. I am managing now after half a year of reading and rereading this book, to make pieces of art that I can be proud to show off to friend and family. If the lingo doesn't make sense at first, don't worry, as you develop your artist eye it will begin to show you how something is somehow wrong. Then go back and the light blul will click over your head. Don't expect greatness over night. I am still improving the finer points of my art, but I am confident that I will successfully be able to draw near professoinally.(I dont have vast amounts of talent in this area :) ) Best of luck to you PS Buy this book!!!!
  
  
• A Beginners Must
  By A3S1QILTGAZB0E on 2002-10-05
  For confidence building in the beginner this book is a joy.
  Easy to follow step by step diagrams and useful tips.
  Breaks some of the more complicated aspects of drawing down into easy to handle exercises.
  If you think you cannot draw but would like to, take a look at this book.!!!
  
  
• Learning the Ropes
  By AOVASQQKS7JZH on 2005-10-12
  I have no artistic talent whatsoever. My stick figures were bad before I started to go through this book. I have only really been working on learning how to draw for about a week, at the time of this review. So far my stick figures look like they could almost be comic book characters (well, they look better than just about anyone else's stick figures).
  My only concern is that the book takes a while to get into drawing figures, which was my desire (as I assume would be most people who get this book). However when it does get to drawing figures it certainly gives lots of good examples.
  You won't be Jim Lee when you are done with this book, and you probably won't be drawing any of the "bad girl" characters made popular in the 90's. But you will be confident in drawing classic characters.
  
  
  
• John Buscema teaches you to draw
  By A3P4FO4OUISIQS on 2006-03-18
  This book developed out of the classes/workshops thatJohn Buscema conducted in New York. Stan Lee wrote the text in conjunction with John's approach. It is a useful book for those students wanting to draw superhero. Buscema's examples are strong and he has an excellent base in drawing the figure. In this regard, I also recommend the work of Gnass and his spirit pose book, Emilio Soltero's Draw the line with many nice figures and comic related information, the work of Gil Kane who also worked out ideas of the figure.
  
  Stan Lee does a good job on the inking section. Buscema's comic ideal is limiting in that Lee/Buscema propose the figure to look a certain height or look, when heroes comes in all shape and sizes. However, the section on how to make the panels dynamic work well. There is a section where a boss is getting upset and the two versions they present are very different.
  
  Buscema's art here is worth the cost of the book as most of his work was inked by other artists.
  
  The DC books on comics are also great.
  
  
• Fond Memories
  By AQJ87VBRRSQD8 on 2006-10-05
  It is really a pleasure to come across this book online. I bought it maybe thirty years ago, when I was a preteen, and was developing a serious interest in design. Without a doubt, much of it is dated; particularly since so much of what the book describes can be done on a computer, and quickly. However, in doing graphic design work/illustration, I have often fallen back on the basic principles communicated in the book-e.g. its cues on how to render the human body. Subsequently, I think that it's an excellent primer, and will provide you with a great foundation on how to illustrate.
  
  
• Overview of the basics
  By A30TALKCA3L0VK on 2007-01-09
  That is what this book is a great overview of the medium of comic book illustration. I have followed up with most of the suggested readings at the end and feel I have improved. It is also fun to read as Stan Lee's use of vocabulary is humerous at times. If you just wanted to know a little about how superhero comic books are put together it is great for that as well.
  
  

• Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee
• Excelsior! : The Amazing Life of Stan Lee

• Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy: The Ultimate Reference for Comic Book Artists
• You Can Draw Marvel Characters (You Can Draw)
• Draw the Marvel Comics Super Heroes (Drawing Tools)
• The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics
• How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way