What are the best "How to" graphic novel books?

[OriginalGagBonke]

I need some help here, One of my friends has a birthday coming up{next friday if anyone is wondering}. And she's pretty much into graphics novels, so I figured I would get her a book. Either a book that that talked about animation or just a book that showed the roots on graphic novels. So what are the best "How to" graphic novel books?

[silvanoir]

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel" despite its name, is actually quite good. It coveres everything from idea, to planning, to script, to character design, pencilling, inking and lettering, to publishing suggestions. For each step, it has a few methods, not just one. The first two chapters cover the definition, history, and possible future of graphic novels.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I don't think you're talking about a book that shows how to draw graphic novels, but a book that talks about the history and meaning of them.

The bibles of comics are "Comics and Sequential Art" by Will Eisner and "Understanding Comics" by Scott McCloud. Of the two, "Understanding Comics" is actually in comic book form and is an easier read, so I'd recommend that one.

Another one I personally liked was "Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean" by Douglas Wolk. And "Was Superman a Spy: Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed" by Brian Cronin is a lot of fun.

[Wolf Boy2]

"Comics and Sequential Art" wasted too much page time with reprints of Eisner work that I had already seen. I know it's a classic, but it didn't really help me much and I wanted my $24.99 back.

"Understanding Comics" and it's sequel "Making Comics" are much better, IMO.

Though honestly, there is no substitute for studying other artists work in detail. Get a lot of various graphic novels and pay close attention to how they open, close, arrange panels and word balloons, ect.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Or you could print this http://www.laffpix.com/howtoreadnancy.pdf out and give it to her stapled together.



(BTW--I am REALLY looking forward to Fantagraphics' reprints of Nancy this year)