Comic Illustration: The Art of Comics
If you love reading comics, how about creating your own? We’ve got a whole collection on Hoopla called The Art of Comics, which is a treasure trove of books about how to draw comics, documentaries about the comic book greats, and the background of the art of comics. It’s everything a fan needs to get started making comics and learning about how the greats have done it.
The History: When Did Comic Books Start?
Amazingly, the very earliest comic-style art is found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, which place images in order so that a story is told. In the early 20th century, comic strips began appearing in newspapers, and by the 1930s, characters like Superman (1938) and the establishment of DC Comics and Marvel (then known as Timely Comics) paved the way for the massive world of comic books we enjoy today.
How Are Comic Books Made?
Creating a comic book is usually a collaborative process. Writers develop the story, artists contribute comic drawings, letterers write the words, and colorists give the finishing touch. Here are some titles to help learn more about how comic books are made:
Creating Comics! By Judith Salavetz and Spencer Drate
This eBook features 47 master comic book artists who reveal their techniques and inspiration.
Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics Season 1
In this TV documentary, Robert Kirkman discovers the central stories, people, and events that came together to create the world of comic books.
This documentary is about women in the comic book industry.
Image Comics was founded by former Marvel coworkers. Through success and company difficulties, the publisher has emerged as an important new player in the comic book industry. This documentary goes behind the scenes.
Maverix and Lunatix: Icons of Underground Comix by Drew Freidman
Comix published the debut issue of R. Crumb’s Zap in 1968 and launched a comic book revolution. More than 100 full page portraits of the major players.
Comic Drawing Basics: How to Draw a Comic Book (and letter the story!)
Comic books need a story and illustrations, but as every comic book fan knows, there’s a lot more to it than that. Here are some resources, available free on Hoopla, for making your own comic book:
Making Comic Zines by Eddy Atoms
Eddy Atoms offers a simple, straightforward how-to on making comic zines.
The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering
Nate Piekos is an award-winning comic book letterer. He shares some of his best tips and techniques for digital comic book lettering.
Stolen Sharpie Revolution: A DIY Resource for Zines and Zine Culture by Alex Wrekk
The go-to guide for all things zine-related.
How the Legends Did It
Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts by Chip Kidd
Reproductions of the best of Schulz’s iconic comic strip, with unpublished and developmental art.
How to Read Nancy: The Elements of Comics in Three Easy Panels
An August 8, 1959 Nancy strip (by Ernie Bushmiller) can teach a lot about reading, making, and understanding comics.
Mark Millar’s comic book imprint is a major force in 21st century comics. This offers an overview of how it came to be.
The Nancy Show: Celebrating the Art of Ernie Bushmiller
Nancy and Sluggo have been comic icons for generations.
Heroes of the Comics: Portraits of the Pioneering Legends of Comic Books by Drew Freidman
80 portraits of the pioneering legends of American comic books from the 1930s through the 1950s.
Art of Painted Comics by Christopher Lawrence
A beautiful art book that contains a complete history of painted comics.
Design Matters: The Power of Comic Book Design
Comic book creators are some of the most influential artists and storytellers of our time. Here are some titles that celebrating legendary artists:
Jim Lee: His illustrations include spectacular DC covers featuring Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, the Justice League of America and more.
DC Comics: The Art of Jim Lee Vol. 1
Suicide Squad Unwrapped by Jim Lee
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee
Stan Lee: One of the industry’s greats, and the creator of The Amazing Spiderman.
The Art of The Amazing Spiderman by Stan Lee
Harvey Kurtzman: This is the man who launched the careers of Robert Crumb, Terry Gilliam, and John Cleese
Want to Make Your Own Comic?
Here’s an in-depth exploration into how Marvel Comics work.
How to Read Comics the Marvel Way by Christopher Hastings
Discusses the storytelling tools, visual shorthand and narrative conventions in Marvel Comics.
Explore Comics for Free on Hoopla
Start with any of the materials we mentioned here, or peruse Hoopla’s collection we call The Art of Comics. Your library card gives you access to a massive digital comic how-to collection free on Hoopla—no late fees, no waiting lists!
Final Thought
Need more proof that comic books are terrific? Here’s a book about how to use comics in the classroom!
Reading With Pictures: Comics That Make Kids Smarter
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