So, You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist?

The Ultimate Guide on How to Break Into Comics!

Illustrated by Various

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About the Book

From dreaming up characters and telling stories to creating and sharing original comics, So, You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist? introduces young creators to the skills, careers, and creative possibilities behind the world of comics.

How does an idea become a comic?

So, You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist? takes young creators behind the panels to explore the art, storytelling, and creative process that bring original comics to life—from developing memorable characters and compelling storylines to creating illustrations and putting together a finished comic.

Along the way, aspiring artists and storytellers can discover what happens beyond the drawing board, including publishing, self-publishing, and promoting their work. Insights and advice from experienced comic book professionals offer a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, while stories from young artists show readers that they don’t have to wait until they grow up to start creating, experimenting, and developing their own artistic voice.

Readers can also explore how comic book storytelling can extend beyond the page through adaptations for movies and video games, opening up an even wider world of visual storytelling and creative possibilities.

Packed with practical guidance and helpful resources, So, You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist? encourages kids to combine art and storytelling, develop their creative skills, make comics of their own, and discover where their imagination might take them.

About the Author

Sketch by Philip Amara

Phil Amara is cocreator of the Nevermen and Sky Ape comics. As an editor, his books have won Eisner Awards in the comics industry, as well as an American Illustration Award and a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal. His first children’s picture book is called Treehouse Heroes. As a schoolteacher, his Mighty Writers program uses comic books and movies to inspire young storytellers.

Series with Books by the Author

About the Illustrator

A Simon & Schuster author.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Aladdin/Beyond Words (September 4, 2012)
  • Length: 176 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442457171
  • Grades: 3 - 7
  • Ages: 8 - 12

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Raves and Reviews

"Any young cartoonist dreaming of breaking into the field of comics and graphic novels must have this book! It's a treasure trove of useful information and solid cartooning principles and practices. Understanding and developing story ideas and plot, creating characters, laying out pages, self-publishing, understanding the comics publishing business, and interviews with novice and professional cartoonists—I wish I had this book when I was a kid! Parents will find this a valuable resource to promote their child's burgeoning interest in this exciting career. And teachers will find this an invaluable resource for their students' self-directed learning opportunities."
—Richard Jenkins, author of Comics In Your Curriculum

"So You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist? is everything the ten-year-old me wanted! Perfect for daydreamers, four-color optimists, and doers of daring deeds, this book will give kids and kids-at-heart the tools to make their imaginations soar. Insightful and accessible, Amara has created more than just a how-to book, it’s a love letter to a truly American art form—comics!"
—Matthew Cody
, author of Powerless

"So, You Want to Be a Comic-Book Artist? is a wonderful place to begin a journey into making comics! Phil takes his personal experience in the comics industry and combines it with his passion for teaching. This is a must read for anyone interested in not only creating, but also understanding sequential art."
—Keith Wood, art director, Oni Press

"This is the lively, engrossing guide that I wish I had when I was an isolated country boy writing and drawing my own comics. Now young creators can see that there are more opportunities and outlets than ever to tell and share their stories! Phil Amara has assembled an engaging book that shows kids that creating comics isn't necessarily easy as pie—but the form and the industry aren't nearly as impenetrable as some may think. Let creativity reign! This book is a great how-to primer on comics for kids—or an entry-level introduction to the form and the industry for anyone who wonders how comics are put together! Unleash your inner superhero!"
—Phil Simon, editor, Dark Horse Comics

"I love the range of guidance given to kids but also the range of “real” artists who contribute to the book. Their varied styles and “degrees of sophistication” make room for all sorts of dreamers! It is a rich resource for aspiring comic artists!
—Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson, author of The Differentiated Classroom

I find myself cheering this book at nearly every paragraph. The straightforward text and the structure of the presentation could make So, You Want to Be a Comic Book Artist? the standard text for teaching comics in school.
—Jon Bogdanove, comics artist, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics

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