The Comic Book Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Shows You How to Make Comics

I bought this book because I really liked Crilley's book, The Drawing Lesson. It was everything I hoped it would be.Crilley does a fantastic job not only telling a story but using that story to teach about the creation of comics. And he does it in a way that all young, aspiring, hopeful comic writers and artists can understand. This book isn't a dusty tome of principles and rules, it's a charming and supportive tale that teaches by example. The ideas that Crilley puts forth are echoed in the story and panels of the book itself in a way that is both understated and completely clear and obvious.The main characters are all female, and I think that's really important for future comic-makers. Not only because there needs to be more females in the industry, but to help young boys see that comics aren't "boys toys". It's a small detail that speaks volumes.Kudos to Mr. Crilley on another very well executed graphic novel!! I hope you will make more! The Drawing Lesson inspired me, a 53-year-old man, to trust that he could begin illustrating, and this book has just reinforced that in my heart. Thank you for this wonderful gift! Well done!

What a delightfully entertaining, heartwarming, and informative story presenting an excellent instruction book. What a fun and imaginative way to learn how to create a comic book. The story that presents the underlying lessons also applies those very same lessons in its own beautiful construction. The art, design, and writing are all superb.

I was so amazed while reading through this book that I was learning anything. I almost was certain it was too fluff filled and not going to give me the bang for my buck that I desired. I couldn't have been more wrong. I learned so much, but also read an amazing graphic novel. It was inspiring, emotional and educational all in one. I purchased several books to assist with a project I am working on, and when I went on to the next one, I was so disappointed. This book sets the bar so high! I recommend if you are even slightly thinking about it, that you just get it!

I had purchased Mark Crilley's, The Drawing Lesson and loved it, but it was a Kindle purchase. This time I wanted to have real paper in my hands. As a casual writer of fiction, I find this the most satisfying medium. Crilley's drawings are fun and enjoyable, while his stories are very immersive. This is a book to keep on your shelf even if you only have a passing interest in comic books. A very wonderful read with art that pleases.

Emily is a young artist with plans for a comic book – she wants the hero to be a “pet finder” coming to the rescue of any and all who have lost their furry friends. But it’s one thing to have a story and the skills to draw it and yet another to know how to transform it into comic book form. So how can she bridge that gap? She just needs the right sort of mentor. What author Mark Crilley has given us is a story showing aspiring cartoonists how they, too, can learn what Emily wants to know – we get to come along for her journey as she meets three talented ladies who are willing to teach.First up is an encounter at the comic store: Emily discovers that the store clerk, a high schooler named Trudy, is a fantastic artist working on a comic project of her own. Emily’s enthusiasm and persistence ensure that one impromptu lesson becomes more. Trudy teaches Emily things like pacing – how including adding a couple more frames can make a scene more dramatic – and how a character’s eyebrows communicate more about their emotions than a smile or frown.Trudy is so impressed with Emily’s work that she introduces her to Madeline, a friend who’s already a published cartoonist. The lessons Madeline teaches include: the importance of a “broad” establishing shot before going in for close-ups, and the need to script a comic before you begin drawing it. Madeline, in turn, introduces Emily to her own cartooning mentor, Sophie, who has yet more to teach Emily, like the proper order for word bubbles, and the need to eliminate any possibilities of confusion.While I don’t like to include spoilers, for the sake of young readers, I’m going to include one. During her time with Sophie, we find out why Emily was so earnest about her hero being a pet finder: because Emily wasn’t able to rescue her own dog. Her loss is poignantly told, which made my one daughter sad enough that she stopped reading. I suspect though, that she might pick it up again. If your child is a sensitive soul, it might help to give them a heads up beforehand.I’m going to list a few mild cautions that aren’t all that relevant to the mid to older teens this is aimed at, and I only include them because some 10-year-olds and even younger could really enjoy this comic, but with some parental guidance.This is one of the tamest, safest “how-to-cartoon” books you can find ("Maker Comics: Draw a Comic" is another, though it covers different ground). But parents need to know that comics today contain loads of weirdness, whether it’s the way women are depicted as impossibly buxom and skinny, or the heroic witches, ghosts, and demons that feature in more and more stories, or how homosexuality is promoted in material for even the youngest ages."The Comic Book Lesson" isn’t pushing any of that, but in a few instances this secular work does “bump” into it. So, for example, Trudy mentions the “Electric Angel Nurse Mizuki” comic she’s authored, and we’re shown the cover depicting a nurse with wings. Madeline mentions she is writing a comic book about assassins for hire. A customer asks for a copy of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, which is a fine book, but whose sequels take a queer turn. And the 12-or-so-year-old Emily is depicted at a comic store and convention without her parents, which are places we wouldn't want our 12-year-old to go without us. That’s about it. Nothing too bad, but some of it worth a discussion, especially for younger readers."The Comic Book Lesson" is a solid piece of “edutainment” that’ll give young aspiring artists an introduction to the general approach needed to be able to expand and refine their skills. This is not so much a “how-to-draw” book – there are loads of other books like that – as it is a “how-to-decide-what-to-draw” book. It’s about learning how to plan out panels and pages like cartoonists do.If your child loves "The Comic Book Lesson," they may be interested in the author’s "The Drawing Lesson," which also uses the graphic novel medium to teach, this time about shading, negative space, how to hold a pencil, and seeing things as an artist does. I'd giving this one 4 stars and would give that one 5, suited for 12 and up with no cautions or concerns other than one use of the word “Jeez.”

Mark Crilley is an awesome artist and story teller. His characters are interesting and the story engaging. This is such an approachable way to delve into the art of comic book making. Thanks Mark for another great story. Maybe a follow up Brody’s Ghost next! 😁

Not many how to draw or how to make comics. All in all a great book to both learn and have in your personal library.

I was a bit hesitant to get this as sequels are not often as good but I missed Becky (a LOT) and was curious about how to make comics. And curious how the book would turn out.Easily five stars. Superlative story (definitely as good as “The Drawing Lesson”) and equally shares a lot of comics “how to” that you might have missed in your prior studies.

This is a great book for wanna-be manga artists! It explains things like how to layout the page to make it interesting, how to give your characters recognizable expressions, in both words and pictures. I totally loved it.

Exactly what I wanted and hoped for. Amazing. I love comic books and this one checked all the boxes in my list. Thank you. And delivery - super fast!

This is a super useful interesting graphic novel about a story of someone making a graphic novel. Recommend this for anyone, you will learn here more than boring essays on how to make graphic novels.

C’è un problema tecnico per cui non si riesce a visualizzare le pagine su kindle per ipad!

I read Mark Crilley's "The Drawing Lesson", and thought it impressive, but I am more interested in making comics. I was delighted to discover this book. It covers most of the behind the scenes processes, although I wish there was more in it on how to script and outline a story first, however, that does not reduce its effectiveness.The flow of the story educates you in a simple but critical thinking approach, never taking anything for granted.I'm a 62 year old comic-creator newbie, and I found Emily's (the protagonist) progress extremely educational, inspirational, and satisfying.I fully recommend this for any aspiring comic creator.