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jason_pym's review
3.0
This is more like “an introduction to…”, and while it has some interesting information and points you in the right direction, it does not go into the nuts and bolts of any aspect of comic book writing: This is not the place to find information on character, plot and good dialogue, or even comic specific information that you find in McCloud’s Understanding Comics (which I thought this would be like). To give an example, there’s a chapter on the business side of things by Bendis’ wife which has a list of legal terms that you would do well to consider in a business contract; more useful and interesting (to me, anyway) would have been actual sample contracts.
It is also specifically geared toward writing for the big corporate companies (Marvel/DC*). So the information we do get is advice on how to communicate your story to the artist, someone that you have been partnered with by an editor and who you may never have met in person. This consists of lessons such as:
Pace out actions over a number of panels, never try and cram several plot points into one panel.
Do not stay in one location for more than, say, six pages, otherwise the story will lose momentum.
Give the artist a say in the story, whether that be a lot (through a Marvel-style one page character story) or just listening to their input on the layout of a single page.
Don’t forget until page 12 to tell the artist the hero is carrying a sword.
Etc.
There is a similar section with editor interviews, here the advice is things like: Send in pitches (ie, the whole story) not teasers – especially if you are an unknown, it’s not enough to know you can set a story up, you have to show you can finish it.
There was a couple things useful to prospective comics artists. First, when sending in your portfolio keep it under 4mb. Lead with comic book pages (with panels laid out) to show you can do the job: Just because you can do a splash image of Wolverine doesn’t mean you can put a story together.
My favourite thing from the book was Joe Quesada’s foreword, which is generally great but includes heartening words in a story about his daughter figure skating – “if you’re not falling (=failing) you’re not trying hard enough”. That works for most creative industries, I think.
All in all I was hoping for something a bit more detailed and substantial, but if what you’re looking for is how to write for big name superhero comics, this is a good place to start.
* There is not much mention of DC, all the interviews are with Marvel guys or the occasional Dark Horse guy, not that it makes much difference.
It is also specifically geared toward writing for the big corporate companies (Marvel/DC*). So the information we do get is advice on how to communicate your story to the artist, someone that you have been partnered with by an editor and who you may never have met in person. This consists of lessons such as:
Pace out actions over a number of panels, never try and cram several plot points into one panel.
Do not stay in one location for more than, say, six pages, otherwise the story will lose momentum.
Give the artist a say in the story, whether that be a lot (through a Marvel-style one page character story) or just listening to their input on the layout of a single page.
Don’t forget until page 12 to tell the artist the hero is carrying a sword.
Etc.
There is a similar section with editor interviews, here the advice is things like: Send in pitches (ie, the whole story) not teasers – especially if you are an unknown, it’s not enough to know you can set a story up, you have to show you can finish it.
There was a couple things useful to prospective comics artists. First, when sending in your portfolio keep it under 4mb. Lead with comic book pages (with panels laid out) to show you can do the job: Just because you can do a splash image of Wolverine doesn’t mean you can put a story together.
My favourite thing from the book was Joe Quesada’s foreword, which is generally great but includes heartening words in a story about his daughter figure skating – “if you’re not falling (=failing) you’re not trying hard enough”. That works for most creative industries, I think.
All in all I was hoping for something a bit more detailed and substantial, but if what you’re looking for is how to write for big name superhero comics, this is a good place to start.
* There is not much mention of DC, all the interviews are with Marvel guys or the occasional Dark Horse guy, not that it makes much difference.
samanthamarie's review
5.0
If you read Marvel comics and don't know who Brian Michael Bendis is, then where have you been? Didn't you read Ultimate Spider-Man with Peter and/or Miles? Five time Eisner winner? Ring any bells yet? In Words for Pictures he dives into the world of comics yet again but not in the usual way. Instead of writing Spidey, he writes his experiences with writing comics and the reader gets an in-depth insider perspective of the comic book industry. In this book you'll find a lot of amazing artwork as well as guides, insider tips on the business and on writing, and interviews. I found the tips and insight on publishing/publishers to be especially interesting but there is a lot of inspiration as well. The book begins with Bendis telling a story about his personal road to achieving his dream of making comic books. His own inspiring origin story.
The size and the cover are perfect for a coffee table book, if that's what you're looking for, and the content is extremely interesting. If you're not a writer but enjoy comics, you'd probably still enjoy the book. If you don't read comics, write, or have any interest in either, then I can't recommend this for you but you probably would have never picked this up to begin with! However, if you consider yourself a writer (which I like to consider myself from time to time) I'd say this book can be especially useful.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I do not receive monetary compensation for positive reviews.
The size and the cover are perfect for a coffee table book, if that's what you're looking for, and the content is extremely interesting. If you're not a writer but enjoy comics, you'd probably still enjoy the book. If you don't read comics, write, or have any interest in either, then I can't recommend this for you but you probably would have never picked this up to begin with! However, if you consider yourself a writer (which I like to consider myself from time to time) I'd say this book can be especially useful.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I do not receive monetary compensation for positive reviews.
caitcoy's review
4.0
I've been reading graphic novels for years but for the most part didn't bother to learn the business or process behind it. This is one of the best books I've read about the genre and easily the best on how writer and artists collaborate, the ways to get into the business and the mistakes to avoid if you want to break into the industry.
Despite being a regular reader and reviewer of graphic novels, I have to admit that prior to reading Words for Pictures, I had only a vague idea of the process. After having seen the deluxe editions of books like Arkham Asylum and Kingdom Come, I was aware that the writer wrote a script and that they worked with artists to create the story. The exact details of that collaboration and in particular the differences between penciller, letterer and colorist were completely foreign to me. Words for Pictures does an excellent job of bringing the ambitious down to earth in terms of understanding how the graphic novel/comics industry works and how difficult it can be to break into. Bendis doesn't discourage potential artists and writers from doing so, just cautions them to be resilient to rejection and realistic. He also really emphasizes the necessary collaboration between artist(s) and writer(s) (when they aren't one and the same) and what to do (and what not to do) for your artist if you want to write comic books.
In addition to Bendis' own insight as a well-known author in the industry, he also brings in the opinions of other giants in the industry like Ed Brubaker and Walt Simonson (among many others). What I found particularly valuable were the Q and A segments with a number of different artists in the industry. It was eye opening to see what they liked and didn't like about working in the industry and what worked well for them versus what didn't. I think this book could seriously be a bible for those wanting to break into the industry as it even covers what editors are looking for and mistakes not to make when submitting work to them. I tended to skip the latter segments just because I was more interested in learning the process and the industry than in breaking into it. Because of Bendis' past work, it's heavily dominated by information on Marvel rather than DC and some of the independent publishers but it's still a great introduction and overview of the industry and how to get into it.
After having read Words for Pictures, I feel like I have a much better idea of the comics industry and the collaboration that goes into making the books that I enjoy so much. If you want to break into the industry, Words for Pictures would be a must-read!
Despite being a regular reader and reviewer of graphic novels, I have to admit that prior to reading Words for Pictures, I had only a vague idea of the process. After having seen the deluxe editions of books like Arkham Asylum and Kingdom Come, I was aware that the writer wrote a script and that they worked with artists to create the story. The exact details of that collaboration and in particular the differences between penciller, letterer and colorist were completely foreign to me. Words for Pictures does an excellent job of bringing the ambitious down to earth in terms of understanding how the graphic novel/comics industry works and how difficult it can be to break into. Bendis doesn't discourage potential artists and writers from doing so, just cautions them to be resilient to rejection and realistic. He also really emphasizes the necessary collaboration between artist(s) and writer(s) (when they aren't one and the same) and what to do (and what not to do) for your artist if you want to write comic books.
In addition to Bendis' own insight as a well-known author in the industry, he also brings in the opinions of other giants in the industry like Ed Brubaker and Walt Simonson (among many others). What I found particularly valuable were the Q and A segments with a number of different artists in the industry. It was eye opening to see what they liked and didn't like about working in the industry and what worked well for them versus what didn't. I think this book could seriously be a bible for those wanting to break into the industry as it even covers what editors are looking for and mistakes not to make when submitting work to them. I tended to skip the latter segments just because I was more interested in learning the process and the industry than in breaking into it. Because of Bendis' past work, it's heavily dominated by information on Marvel rather than DC and some of the independent publishers but it's still a great introduction and overview of the industry and how to get into it.
After having read Words for Pictures, I feel like I have a much better idea of the comics industry and the collaboration that goes into making the books that I enjoy so much. If you want to break into the industry, Words for Pictures would be a must-read!
joshgauthier's review
4.0
Bendis is a top name in comics, and he clearly brings that experience to the table in "Words for Pictures." But in equal measure--and embracing the diverse approaches that art entails--the book also features the voices and perspectives of a wealth of other creators and professions in the comics world (admittedly with a Marvel-focused leaning).
The result is a book that doesn't focus as heavily on craft as some books might--though many of the basics are certainly covered. Rather, "Words to Pictures" is a look into the world of comics creation--from ideas through collaboration and into the business side of publishing. The voices and views are diverse--and sometimes contradictory--but the overall product offers up themes, tips, and insight--not only about how to create comics, but about what to expect within the business world of comics creation.
And through it all, Bendis offers hard but important realities about the struggles of making art, set alongside hopeful encouragement that--with persistent work and a great love for the act of creation itself--success is possible (even if success doesn't always look the way you expect). These are lessons that certainly apply to comics, but many of them are helpful and resounding truths for anyone seeking to create art in a world that doesn't often make it easy.
This book is broad-ranging and educational, but it is also clearly the product of creators who love what they do, and are happy to take some time to share a bit of their success (and their struggles) with those who are trying to get a glimpse at the other side.
The result is a book that doesn't focus as heavily on craft as some books might--though many of the basics are certainly covered. Rather, "Words to Pictures" is a look into the world of comics creation--from ideas through collaboration and into the business side of publishing. The voices and views are diverse--and sometimes contradictory--but the overall product offers up themes, tips, and insight--not only about how to create comics, but about what to expect within the business world of comics creation.
And through it all, Bendis offers hard but important realities about the struggles of making art, set alongside hopeful encouragement that--with persistent work and a great love for the act of creation itself--success is possible (even if success doesn't always look the way you expect). These are lessons that certainly apply to comics, but many of them are helpful and resounding truths for anyone seeking to create art in a world that doesn't often make it easy.
This book is broad-ranging and educational, but it is also clearly the product of creators who love what they do, and are happy to take some time to share a bit of their success (and their struggles) with those who are trying to get a glimpse at the other side.
canadianoranges's review
4.0
Great examples. Gives you lots of examples, but has the same advice as most writing books (admittedly so). "Write, write, write".
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
A bit think but still interesting. A different kind of how to write comics book. Lots of example comic art pages. Some good specifics. Actually a lot of other people's words from interviews. It definitely made specific observations as to how writing for comics is different than writing for other mediums. 3.5 of 5.
hannah_dillard's review
5.0
This book was 100% amazing! Not only does it discuss how to create and write a comic, but it even explains the ups and downs of the art business. Bendis goes so far as to portray other artist and writers’ works, as well as direct interviews with the best in the business. I WILL reread this again, probably within the next year!
rach's review
5.0
This book was really fascinating to read, even for someone like me who loves comics, but has no interest in becoming a writer or artist or breaking in to the business. Reading about the behind-the-scenes process of what goes in to making a comic, from pitch to script to art to editing, was really interesting. Even though I'm not interested in becoming a comics professional, Bendis' career advice can still be applicable to my life, and the lives of anyone out there. If you want to do something, don't wait to be scouted; go out and do what you want to do. Don't let anyone stop you.
I particularly liked the guest chapter written by Matt Fraction, as his comic Hawkeye is one of my favorites, and it was great to hear his thoughts behind it's creation. All of the other interviews were great, as well, and provided a wide scope of insight into varying aspects of the industry and the personalities you might find there.
If you want to get in to comics, this book is a MUST READ. All caps. It deserves it. If you simply love comics and want to learn more about them, then this book is also for you! Since this is a book about comics, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the book is also beautifully designed, and full of amazing art from all styles of artists. It's truly gorgeous just to look at.
I particularly liked the guest chapter written by Matt Fraction, as his comic Hawkeye is one of my favorites, and it was great to hear his thoughts behind it's creation. All of the other interviews were great, as well, and provided a wide scope of insight into varying aspects of the industry and the personalities you might find there.
If you want to get in to comics, this book is a MUST READ. All caps. It deserves it. If you simply love comics and want to learn more about them, then this book is also for you! Since this is a book about comics, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the book is also beautifully designed, and full of amazing art from all styles of artists. It's truly gorgeous just to look at.
nicoleburstein's review
5.0
Possibly one of the most important books I will ever read. A goldmine of wisdom!
malvina4321's review
4.0
Thanks to edelweiss and books for bloggers for the ebook!
This is a gorgeous book. I loooooved the illustrations. The writing style was a bit drier than I expected but Bendis' story was interesting and inspiring.
I will be buying a physical copy of the book simply because of the fantastic illustrations.
A must for all fangirls/boys/persons
This is a gorgeous book. I loooooved the illustrations. The writing style was a bit drier than I expected but Bendis' story was interesting and inspiring.
I will be buying a physical copy of the book simply because of the fantastic illustrations.
A must for all fangirls/boys/persons