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A review by joshgauthier
Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels by Brian Michael Bendis
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.