Comments on: Understanding Comics – The Books Of Scott McCloud

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:52:18 +0000

Classic. Having spent a fair amount of time in comic book stores (and having known a number of clerks who would have made just such a recommendation), I can picture the scene *perfectly*.

People are funny, aren't we?

By: agnesdesouza

agnesdesouza — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:09:27 +0000

Thanks a lot! I didn't know about the new book.

By: schalicto

schalicto — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:07:52 +0000

When I went to the store to buy this book about 5 years ago the guy recommend a myriad of “how to draw anime” books as being far superior to McClouds “Understanding Comics”. I just thought that was funny.

By: Sean Percival

Sean Percival — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:05:31 +0000

One of the first college books one receives when pursuing a bachelor of fine arts. Wonderful resource and great post.

By: the_boy

the_boy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 06:49:58 +0000

I saw him on his 50 states tour last year – one of the highlights, certainly. He's a fantastic guy, who I'd recommend over many bands live.

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:36:33 +0000

Oh, and for everyone currently at San Diego ComicCon, Scott is in attendance, so it's an excellent opportunity to either pick up copies of his books, or just make his acquaintance. While I've never had the pleasure, I've heard that he's every bit as gregarious and generous as his comic alter-ego would lead you to believe.

By: sfslim

sfslim — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:32:52 +0000

Thanks for the comment Starchy!

While I'll confess a tendency towards hyperbole (especially when it comes to creators whose work I've been so strongly impressed by) in this case the wording of my claim was intentional: he really does attempt to define What Art Is. While his resulting theory may not put that grand old question to rest – an infinity of semantic hair-splitting makes that a practical impossibility – he does succeed in providing at least one highly original and satisfying answer. (And it's the one that I find myself referring back to most often in my discussions about the hoary chestnut.

Mmmm… hoary chestnuts. Roasting on an open umlaut. Now THAT'S art.

By: DocPop

DocPop — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:10:06 +0000

Don't even get me started on the genius of Scott McCloud… Too late. He's like the Stephen Hawking of visual art. The best part of his books is that the information is applicable to almost any form of sequential art. The way he describes the words on the paper as being no different than the drawings (because they are both just symbols) really blew my mind. I can't find the picture here, but I'd love to get the image of the word balloon with the face inside it (in the panel where Scott's head is replaced with text) tattooed someday.

By: Starchy

Starchy — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:43:57 +0000

I haven't read UC, and your post does make me want to (not that it was ever on my list of books not to bother with). I must quibble, nonetheless, that I suspect a touch of hyperbole in the claim that McCloud was successful in defining art. I can buy that he presented a successful discussion of the meaning of art, or that he presented a definition that held up within the context of his books, but I'd be surprised to learn and I'd hate to think that he put that grand old question t rest.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:41:19 +0000

“Over the years I've given copies of Understanding Comics to artists, scientists, photographers…”

Funny you should say that because I definitely learned things about photography reading his book. :)

Aaron, thanks! I didn't know there was a newer book

By: sfslim

sfslim — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:11:11 +0000

One other thing about Scott's books: they make GREAT gifts. Especially Understanding Comics, which I still consider to be required reading for anyone working in communication or the arts. But its appeal reaches far wider than that.

Over the years I've given copies of Understanding Comics to artists, scientists, photographers, web designers, filmmakers, engineers, writers, teachers and schoolchildren, with universally positive results. Everyone seems to find something exciting in it, some new and unexpected insight into art, themselves, or the world.

If you haven't yet read it, I'd suggest you go ahead and purchase two copies: one for yourself, and the second one that you're inevitably going to want to give as a gift.