Book Description

There's no doubt about it: Japanese animation is hot. Television shows, films, and videos featuring the anime style of animation are wildly popular.Japanese animation is like a comic book come to life, retaining all its power but in moving form. It has a very different style from traditional western animation, incorporating heavy shading, dramatic camera angles, and beautifully rendered special effects-especially the fantastic anime depictions of ocean waves, storms, smoke, and explosions. Easier to draw than its western counterpart, anime is more limited and simpler in its execution. In Japanese anime the characters move, but their movements are generally staccato, sharp, and dramatic-not free-flowing with lots of overlapping action, anticipation, and follow-through. In Anime Mania, famous cartoonist, teacher, and best-selling author Christopher Hart demonstrates how any comic book artist can become expert in this wonderful style of animation. Step by step, he details how to draw the coolest anime characters from the widest selection of popular styles: high-tech cyberpunks who live in the world of the future; teen characters-with troubled relationships at school, home, and on the street; and mighty monsters, fantasy warriors, and giant robots. Aspiring animators will also find chapters on anime's spectacular special effects, the role of storyboarding in anime, sketching and the art of character design, and a mini-crash course in perspective. The book concludes with interviews with Scott Frazier, an American anime director working in Japan, and Mahiro Meada, a renowned Japanese animation director. Brimming with hundreds of spectacular examples, illustrations, and step-by-step exercises, Anime Mania details how anyone can become a real anime artist without having to reinvent the art of drawing. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Americanized anime
This book does a nice job attempting to teach the anime style, but falls short of teaching beyond what is already basic and typical of anime. It also fails to achieve a very objective approach.

As a fan of the art style, I collect art books on anime both in Japanese and in English, and it's very obvious just from taking a quick glance through the book that it's a highly westernized interpretation of the art style (just look at the costumes, for instance). Additionally, it doesn't go into the storytelling methods and cliches of anime-style art, which, being an art book, might seem okay, but I think it's important information to understand in order to learn how to draw anime convincingly (proper camera angles, settings, keyframes, etc).

The majority of the book goes over figure drawing in very typical anime proportions and drawing by example.

If I had the chance to look through the book before purchasing it, I would not have bought it, but unfortunately I ordered it online and could not do so.

Kids Will Like This Book. Serious Anime Fans Will Not.
I would rename this book, THE ART OF WESTERNIZED ANIME. The colorful illustrations are great, but there isn't much instruction on "How To" achieve the drawings. It's a much better idea-generator book. There has also been some criticism about the "Americanized" anime used in this book. I agree that hard-core Anime fans will notice right away that there is something "wrong" with the drawings, the characteristic anime nose, for example.

Despite the above mentioned, the Pokemon crowd will really enjoy this book. The most obvious reason is that it is in COLOR and is filled with ILLUSTRATIONS. It also has pages of those draw "cute" anime critters. So, while it may not be traditional Anime, the younger crowd is not likely to notice, and may actually prefer the "westernized" look. And the lack of instructions probably works to their advantange as well (don't most kids like to skip to the end of instructions, anyway?)

For serious Anime fans, who are truly interested in learning how to draw Japanese Anime, I recommend taking a look at HOW TO DRAW ANIME & GAME CHARACTERS, VOL.1, by TADASHI OZAWA. This book/series is popular in Japan, and has now been translated into English (by an American publishing Co, so have no fear of "all-your-base-belong-to-us" English!) It has step-by-step instructions and the characters really look authentic. Why? Well, because, it's written/illustrated by an animation director at STUDIO GHIBLI (Oscar-winning SPIRITED AWAY) The book, however, is completely in black & white, and while it is completely suitable for kids, will probably not be as attention-keeping as CHRIS HART'S ANIME MANIA.

Overall, I give this book 4 STARS. The breakdown:
5-STAR rating for kids and people who's range of Anime consists of Afternoon cartoons. Highly Recommended.
3-STAR rating for serious Anime fans. Neutral Recommendation. (It still makes a good "Art of" book, though)

It gives Anime a bad name!
Well I havn't bought the book, but from first glance, it looks pathetic. The art style is horrible for Anime. I have been drawing Anime for about 2 years or so, and observed tons of anime, and this is nothing like it. I know it is Americanized, but some children have WAY better skills then the artists in this book. (I havn't bought it, but the cover says a mouthfull) Some people say it is good for kids, well they don't know the beginning of how much I see wrong with it. Not recommended for anybody acept maybe someone who knows squat about anime.

Not a very good Book to learn to draw in Anime format
First off, I have taken a look at the book in a store. My first impression is that it was bad. One, the artwork looks very amateur like, more like a bad attempt. Many of the book he has produced are ones on how to draw american cartoons. Not to insult the guy, but it doesn't look anime like. I would not dare recommend this book to any one who want to learn how to draw in the manga style. I would sugguest buying the How to Draw Manga: Compiling Characters or the other How to Draw Manga. I suggest those because those are PROFESSION MANGA ARTIST. Please don't waste your time and money on Hart's books.

okayyyyyyy
I got this book when I was just finding out about the anime/manga world. I now realize that this book is more for begginers. not a very good beginer either. it has a lot of useful info, though.( weight bearing leg, basic body construction, character design, and other suff) however, this book is sort of confusing becouse there are lots of different art styles in here.(Mr. Hart hires other artists) different artists draw differently.

there ARE colored illos all over the book. Mr. Hart breezes through lots of different types of characters without getting into them that much. he just shows you how to draw them at one angle and moves on. he could write a detailed series based on this book( how to draw creatures, how to draw high-tech punks,dramatic seens, how to draw special effects, etc.).

but if your a begginer and want an overview of anime this is the book for U. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Finally, a good cartooning book!
Most cartooning books are, quite frankly, crap. There are a very few exceptions, This book is one of them! Hart covers many aspects of cartooning, from coming up with jokes, to character design, to design tips. If you are learning to cartoon, or just want a few pointers from an expert, this is the book to read! Another excellent one is How To Draw Comics the Marvel Way. These two books should be on every cartoonist's shelf

A great nuts-and-bolts book about cartooning
If you're confident in your drawing abilities, but have little knowledge about the specifics of putting together a comic strip, this is the best book I've seen. When I decided to dabble in comic strips, I didn't care about how to draw them; I was more curious about character views, composition, what makes a scene funny, ballon placement, and timing. This book covers all that and more.

If your interested in the mechanics of what makes a comic funny, this book is a must-get. Those who know how to draw will get great advice on what makes a character look funny. If you don't know how to draw comics then get a different book that covers that topic...then buy this book.

Excellent book!
Very helpful book on the basics of creating comics. I needed a book that would take me from square one and show me the ropes. This did all that and more. I would definitely recommend this book!

Bleh
I wanted this book to be good. I really did. It had what I was looking for, info on the most important aspect of cartooning: the writing.But, unless you intend to create cliche, unoriginal cartoons, this book is not for you. Because that's all it does. It explains in detail the most common cartoon character stereotypes and how you should use them. it tells you what is normally done and tells you to do the same. cartooning is not about following paths that have already been followed. i enjoyed The Naked Cartoonist by Robert Mankoff, cartoon editor for the New Yorker. It explains the creative process in general.
Here's my advice: don't listen to advice from cartoonists who aren't even successful themselves. they clearly don't know what they're talking about.

Great book but not what I was looking for.
Well this book has it all. How to draw and come up with characters, how to layout out for comic panals. What and What not to do writing strips and doing the comic layout, etc. I'de say you have it all here. I was just hoping it would give more on writing scripts, but I guess there realy is no help guid it's just skill. ... Read more

Book Description

This third volume in the More How to Draw Manga series takes a focused look at means of enhancing a character's sense of presence as well as explains in detail techniques for imbuing a character with presence by suggesting movement. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (13)

American strangeness
I used to pick up my dad's Edward Gorey books when I was a wee boy, read them in half an hour and put them back on the shelves, quivering with fear. Admittedly I was also scared of Doctor Who, old people and "Strawberry Fields Forever". But Gorey has definitely tapped into a seam of subterranean panic; his hollow-eyed pseudo-Edwardian families have a look about them as though some sort of hideously deformed ancestor has been chained up in the attic for centuries. The Doubtful Guest is ostensibly for kids, telling the story of a strange, aardvarkesque creature in tennis shoes (typical Gorey touch, the tennis shoes) that comes to stay one "wild winter night", but maybe you have to be an adult to find it truly unnerving. The creature slopes about the house, eating plates, lying in doorways and hiding towels, and the hapless family can't bring itself to dispose of the thing. At the end of the book it's been there for seventeen years and is sitting in the drawing room with the same look of wide-eyed expectancy, while the enervated family stands about aimlessly with as little of a clue as ever.

This isn't quite my favourite Gorey. Other contenders would be the almost absurdly depressing The Hapless Child (small girl is born, parents die, is sent to workhouse, winds up perishing in the street, is found by its actually-not-dead-but-until-recently-in-Africa father who, typically, fails to recognise his daughter) and the surreal The Object Lesson (classic Gorey opening line: "It was already Thursday, but his Lordship's artificial limb could not be found..."). Or else there's the sexy but menacing The Curious Sofa...

He's still a master and a true original. Check out the way that the house in The Doubtful Guest seems to have been invaded by a black fog; Henry James took over a hundred pages to write The Turn of the Screw, but Gorey can squeeze comparably effects into 26 pages. Not many "children's" books of 43 years ago still have this power to charm and alarm.

Delightfully creepy.
This is the second book of Gorey's that I've gotten, the first was The Gashlycrumb Tinies. I think I like Doubtful Guest even better than that volume. The wonderful illustrations of the prim and proper residents of the house, as they put up with the antics of the Doubtful Guest tickle me to no end. The rhyming verse that Gorey uses to tell this tale is whimsical and bizarre. It brings a smile to my face every time I think of this book, if you like Gorey, you've got to have this one.

My only gripe is that the book is a little short. I can easily tolerate it, however, as it's just so much macabre fun...

Grab your galoshes
You will not be doubting this book as a guest on your shelf. The Doubtful Guest is a Gorey masterpiece in all its pawky nature. If you find that you are fond of it, you might drop it in the pond, as the doubtful guest does to things it's fond of: "It would carry off objects of which it grew fond, And protect them by dropping them into the pond." You'll surely be all wet if you do, because you'll want to fetch it out for a read quite often.

amusing, in a strangely British manner.
"It would carry off objects of which it grew fond, And protect them by dropping them into the pond." This quote sounds like British humour to me --- however these are the words of the American author Edward Gorey. This entertaining tale of a creature that arrives at a family's home one day is very amusing because of its strangeness. Each little episode is a description of a strange little event precipitated by the "Doubtful Guest" done in rhyme. It begs comparisons with Dr. Seuss, but it is a more sophisticated, darker humour, that is more suitable for adults. Accompanied by Gorey's own ink drawings, this book is a classic. Although it will only take a few minutes to read it, you will enjoy re-reading it many times.

One of my favorite Gorey tales....
A delightful classic with quirkiness that warms my heart. ... Read more

Book Description

This is it - the premiere guide to coloring comics by some of the hottest talent in the industry. This guide will take you through all the steps necessary to take your work from line art to full, raging color. You also get step-by step instructions in coloring special effects, creating works in the cel-anime style, digital painting, and many, many other techniques. This guide is invaluable to both novices and professionals alike. Any artist interested in learning to color or improving their coloring skills can benefit from the knowledge of Guru eFX. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is the incomparable cast of the DC Comics universe: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, and the rest of the Justice League as you’ve never seen them before. Mythology brings together the best-loved comic characters in the world, brought to life by one of the most astonishing young artists working in the medium today, Alex Ross. The award-winning designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spear have teamed up to create a book like no other, with an introduction by M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed director of Signs and The Sixth Sense.

Ross has often been called “the Norman Rockwell of comics,” and this book reveals not only his lifelong love of these classic super heroes but also his vision: Mythology takes you into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his fascinating creative process. The combination of Ross’s dynamic art and Kidd’s kinetic design make images from his most memorable stories–including Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, and Uncle Sam–soar off the more than 280 pages. There are also hundreds of never-before-seen sketches, limited edition prints, and prototype sculptures. Vintage DC comic panels are interspersed throughout, as reference points from which Ross launches his extraordinary interpretations.

And most exciting for Ross fans, inside is a DC Comics first: an exclusive, original Superman-Batman story, written by Kidd and painted by Ross. Also included is an all-new origin of Robin, written by Paul Dini. Mythology is a book in which every page explodes with the power of the icons it celebrates. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross
I had forgotten I ordered this until it came in the mail today. It's a pretty amazing piece of work. If you are an artist (like me) it's almost a text book on how to do it correctly. I found the highlight to be the last few pages of the book where Mr. Ross explains exactly how he created the cover from initial concept sketches to photography through finished art. The book also contains several things I'd never seen before or had just seen poorly printed or web versions of. Just amazing. Well worth the asking price.

No real DC fan should go without
Here is what I wrote in my column on the website comicbookbin.com (11/22/03):

"I finally got my copy of Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross this week. If you are any kind of fan of the work Alex Ross has done for DC you need this book. A plus for me was the design contributions of Chip Kidd. For size, beauty, vividness, and sheer comprehension, this is it. If Ross put down his pencils and brush tomorrow and say he was moving on to other pursuits, I'd thank him for doing it all in superhero art. I would always encourage more, but he has said all he needs to on the amazing array of heroes and villains of the DC Universe. Alex Ross has always done his best work for DC, so I'm glad the folks at Pantheon Books were able to assemble this in time for the holidays."

Packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art
The colorful DC comic art of Alex Ross is profiled by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear in their striking Mythology, bringing together the best comics of the Justice League members represented by Alex Ross, one of the foremost DC comics illustrators of modern times. Ross has often been called the 'Norman Rockwell of comics' and Mythology packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art, blending with Kidd's design talents to bring to life highlights from some of Ross' most memorable stories. Add an exclusive, original Batman-Superman story written by Kidd and painted by Ross and you have a keepsake not to be missed.

Art Appreciation
I have often thought that, as popular as comic books and superheroes are with some folks, the medium still gets a raw deal from the "establishment". In other words, for every fan that exists, there's still at least one person who says, "Oh, comic books are just for kids". Any time you see an adult comic book fan, portrayed in the movies or on television,more often than not, they come across as a "Nerd" "Geek", or as someone who has trouble getting a date. If only thse who keep those stereotypes alive would take a look at Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross, I think they would gain a new perspective

Mr Ross is real asset for the medium.His artwork is nothing short of stunning. The drawings featured in the 288 page coffee table book are so well crafted and detailed, that if I didn't know any better I would swear that they were three demensional. These aren't just your average line drawlings of folks in funny looking pajamas. The depth of expression is astounding Ross takes you back in time to another era, while maintaining a very modern flair I would call him a mdern day Picaso or Rembrandt in his field. Film director M. Night Shyamalan, who made the super hero film Unbrakeable, provides the book's introduction. Collaborating with Ross for the book, designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spearto further expand on Ross's work. There's also a n exclusive Batman and Superman tale, written by Paul Dini in the book as well.

This is recommended for anyone who follows comics. I also hope that a few non-fans, will give it a chance, as well.

A must for any Alex Ross Fan
Mythology is a complete rundown of the works of Alex Ross. Even since he hit the seen with Marvels, I have been blown away with his incredible attention to detail. No one has brought the characters to life on the pages of a comic book like Alex Ross.

The book does more then reprint some of his best paintings. There is tons of detail on how the poses came about and what his inspirations were. His tributes to the golden age of comics can be found in alot of his work. ... Read more

Book Description

For people who want to become a pro or those who want to show their original character designs, this book demonstrates how to enjoy drawing and fulfill your expectations.ANIME & GAME CHARACTERS, Vol. 3 shows how to bring to life common and everyday mannerisms, ranging from impulsive expressions, cuteness, and to looks of surprise.Learning to draw these will enable you to double the charm of your characters. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Another excellent book
The third book in the series picks up right after the last with perspective. The first chapter is dedicated to it, and provides many great tips. It then moves on to basic character movements such as walking, running, sitting, sleeping, and much more. From there it even goes into greater detail by showing you variations of the previously mentioned movements, and a lot of them. After all, no two people are made the same. This is a great book for any artist period who wants to learn the different poses of the body.

teaches how to draw movement
I started off drawing a book by Burne Hogarth that taught me how to draw human anatomy. It was a great book and I felt as if I could draw anything after learning how to draw the muscles and the body in general. What I learned was that I couldn't whatsoever. I would try to draw someone walking using my own logic on what a person walking should look like and I would fail miserably. This book is great for anyone who has trouble drawing a person sitting, running or doing any lifelike pose realisticly. This is the only book that I know of at the moment that teaches how to draw people that are WEARING clothes and actually doing something that people do in every day life.

Excelent Start
A good start for someone who is just learning how to draw in anime/manga format for game characters.

an exceptional how-to book
This is a wonderful book for both professional artists and beginners. It breaks down figure drawing into simple cylinder forms which are easy to follow, and beginners will appreciate. Professionals will enjoy the different dynamic poses of the basic figure types (it shows poses from many different angles). It also demostrates movement very well, showing how simple movement (walking, running) breaksdown, as well as martial art manuevers such as low and high kicks, different styles of punches and jump kicks can translate smoothly into drawings. The art is clear, consise, and easy to follow, with several very good examples of males AND females. A good how-to book that can allow you to try many new poses for your figure drawing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on the popular course Eisner taught for several years at New York's School of Visual Arts, this lovingly written book on visual storytelling contains an accumulation of his ideas, theories and advice on the practice of graphic story-telling and the uses to which the comic book art form can be applied. Whether you're a film student, literature student, artist or simply a fan of good storytelling, you'll love this book filled with Eisner's cartoons. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

INDESPENSIBLE EXAMINATION OF THE ART OF COMICS
INDISPENSIBLE HOW-TO BOOK THAT REALLY STUDIES THE MEDIUM Reviewer: Zorikh Lequidre from Brooklyn, NY Before this book came out, most "how to draw comics" books were mostly concentrated on big, muscular heroes and action poses. There was very little emphasis on comics as a storytelling medium. Will Eisner has been drawing comics since God invented dirt and has explored almost every way a story can be told. One of his biggest contributions is using every element of the medium to tell the story. This book expounds heavilly on this.

Written years before Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics," Eisner expounds upon how comics are a visual, reading experience using both words and pictures. He instructs the reader in how words and pictures can be used together to tell a story. The author must lead the reader with visual clues to each sequential immage. Mood, emotion, even time can be expressed visually in a comic. Camera angles, panel borders, typefaces, all play a part in the effectiveness of a story.

Eisner gives plenty of examples of his work to illustrate his ideas. Most significant are his "Hamlet," "Life on Another Planet," and several "Spirit" works. Looking at this really helps the reader see how creatively a story can be told.

Also included in this book are examinations of the various types of work a comic illustrator can do, including storyboards and instruction manuals.

This book, and its sequel "Graphic Storytelling," are must reading for anyone who wants to create comics, and good reading for anyone who wants to understand them better. Don't settle for mediocrity, read the best!

The basic to the advanced can learn from Mr. Eisner
This book is one of the finest productions when it comes to the production of the comic book medium. There are several other books available that can tell someone how to draw, but none do what this one does, it focuses on teaching the reader how to tell a story, a virtually lost art in the modern comics arena. It breaks down into simple, yet not trivial components, the way a comic book artist should tell his story, as well as providing examples form Mr. Eisner's portfolio to help the reader understand what is being said. After all what is a book about telling a story with pictures, going to do without using pictures to tell it's story. The book also contains the basics of the drawing medium and some helpful tips for the rendering of comic art, but this is probably one of the best you'll ever see when it comes to learning what it is to tell the story.

Professor Eisner explains comic books as sequential art
"Comics & Sequential Art" is based on a course Will Eisner taught at New York's School of Visual Art although originally this work was written as a series of essays that appeared randomly in "The Spirit" magazine. Eisner provides a guide book to the "principles & practice of the world's most popular art form, and while it is of interest to those of us who read comic books it is clearly intended to be of use to aspiring comic book artists (and writers, albeit to a lesser degree). One way of measuring the book's success is to note that I have the 24th printing of a work that was first published in 1985 (and expanded in 1990 to include print and computer), but then the fact that the book was written by Eisner and uses dozens of examples of his own art work to evidence his points, as well as drawings down specifically for the book, is enough to tell you this is something special.

There are eight lessons in Professor Eisner's syllabus: (1) Comics as a Form of Reading looks at the interplay of word and image in comic books that has created a cross-breeding of illustration and prose, including the idea of how text can be read as image, which shows the sense of detail Eisner brings to his subject. (2) Imagery begins with the idea of letters as images and develops a notion of how the "pictograph" functions in the modern comic strip as a calligraphic style variation. The key subject here is that of images without words. (3) "Timing" considers the phenomenon of duration and its experience as an integral dimension of sequential art, with Eisner drawing (literally) a distinction between "time" and "timing." This chapter looks at framing speech and framing time, with Eisner making his points in the textual part of the chapter and then providing a series of comic book pages evidencing different features he wants to emphasize. (4) The Frame is a major chapter that examines in detail the sequences segments called panels or frames, with Eisner emphasizing the idea that these frames do not correspond exactly to cinematic frames because they are part of the creative process and not the result of the technology. Eisner examines encapsulation, the panel as a medium of control, creating the panel, the panel as container, the "language" of the panel border, the frame as a narrative device, the frame as a structural support, the panel outline, the emotional function of the frame, the "splash" page, the page as a meta panel, the super-panel as a page, panel composition, the function of perspective, and realism and perspective. This chapter is not half the book, but it is close, and it basically tells you everything you ever wanted to know about a panel in a comic book. When you are taking into account the meaning of the border of the panel, then you know this is a comprehensive examination of the subject under discussion.

The rest of the book deals with what you put in those panels: (5) Expressive Anatomy provides a micro-Dictionary of Gestures before covering your options in drawing the body, the face, and the body and the face. As an extended example Eisner provides his complete "Hamlet on a Rooftop," which does the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. (6) Writing & Sequential Art talks about the relationship between the writer and the artist (whether they are two separate people or not), and various story telling elements. There are several choice examples on the application of words and the various ways then can add meaning to a series of panels, and practical examples of how writers and artists work together to create comic book stories. (7) Application (The Use of Sequential Art) makes a distinction between the functions of sequential art as instruction and as entertainment. This leads to a discussion of not only the graphic novel and technical instruction comics, but story boarding for commercials and films as well. (8) Teaching/Learning, Sequential Art for Comics in the Print and Computer Era lays out the range of diverse disciplines involved in comic books, laid out in a structured typology (categorized under psychology, physics, mechanics, design language and draftsmanship). Eisner also briefly shows what adding a computer to the process means for creating comic books.

There is an inevitable comparison to be drawn between Eisner's "Comics & Sequential Art" and Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art," but I really see the two books as being complementary. Although you obviously can shift back and forth between perspectives, McCloud is looking at the medium from the reader's point of view and Eisner is more concerned with the creative process. Eisner has praised McCloud's book as "a landmark dissection and intellectual consideration of comics as a valid medium," which is a fundamental assumption of Eisner's work here. The primary value of "Comics & Sequential Art" is for professional and amateur artist, but students and teachers, and even mere comic book fans, can benefit from a serious and comprehensive examination of the art of funny books.

A Comics Pro Gives It A Thumbs UP!
As a veteran comic book illustrator (You can find my work here on Amazon.com; I am the CO-creator and artist of Transmetropolitan), I am often asked to recommend books to aspiring professionals in comic book illustration. In that case I always enthusiastically recommend any of Eisner's instructional books as essential reading for anyone serious about their craft and dreams of getting into the industry.

From the earliest work of his career, Will Eisner was an innovator in writing as well as illustration. Even in his twilight years the man is still a vigorous and creative artist producing work that pros as well as fans can't wait to get their hands on.

These books display his genius in an entertaining and easy to follow method, and if put to practice will inspire and reveal hidden keys to making your work truly professional grade. A great companion book to Eisner's "Graphic Storytelling".

- Darick Roberston

More for the professional than the lay person
This is something of Will Eisner's lifework, the non-fiction complement to his wonderful work from the 1950s onward with _The Spirit_ through _A Contract with God_. Herein, Eisner describes the means by which his stories work, what makes them flow and live. Before Scott McCloud's _Understanding Comics_, Eisner was the standard bearer for the explanation of how comics achieved their effect. But this book never got the acclaim that McCloud's did, for it is not necessarily directed at the public, but at the would-be comics professional. In fact, most of the book is a reworking of Eisner's lecture notes from his teaching time at New York's School of Visual Art. The general public can still glean some great information about the medium from this book, but McCloud has supplanted Eisner as the popular textbook for courses on comics. ... Read more

Book Description

Devoted to the serious depictions of anthropomorphic characters, Freaks! covers the entire range of animal people and explores all its possibilities. Hundreds of illustrations depict subjects that include basic human and animal anatomies, cat people, dog people, wolf people, feathered freaks, bat people, reptilian creatures, predators of the deep, primates, insect people, elephant man, rhino man, hippo lady, and much more. This drawing guide demonstrates the wide range of this popular genre of illustrative art and the techniques needed to create these fantastic fantasy creatures. Artists will find inspiration for creating such characters as creatures from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh, C. S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, or the characters from Planet of the Apes and Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Contributors Include
Brett Booth (Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four),
Mitch Byrd (Green Lantern), and
Todd Nauck (Teen Titans and Spider-Man)

The launch of a new series on drawing fantastic characters and creatures
The influx of animal/human characters into popular culture is at an all-time high
From the lead designer of Microsoft's X-Box game Monster Truck Mash ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Animal People Fun
I bought this book for my 12 year old son because he loves to draw comic book and video game characters. I was surprised at how well his drawings improved by just using some of the simple advice from the author. It is neat to see him come home from school and go into his room to draw instead of immediately turning on the tv or a video game.

Freak-a-Deaky
Great Book! The title is a little misleading, Fantasy makes me think of Hobbits and Trolls, but this book is all about Animal People or Animorphs. Great art, great instructions, and helpful advice. ... Read more

Book Description

detailed plates from the Bible: the Creation scenes, Adam and Eve, horrifying visions of the Flood, the battle sequences with their monumental crowds, depictions of the life of Jesus and visions of the new Jerusalem. Each plate is accompanied by the appropriate verses from the King James version of the Bible.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

Inspired Genius
Who better to do this work than Gustave Dore? No one! A master craftsman and artist, these illustrations are inspired genius.

The amount of work involved, the imagination, and the mastery of light are something to behold, ponder and enjoy.

The work compliments the subject matter perfectly!

We're blessed that these works have been passed down to us, as you just won't see this type of work anymore, not by hand and I doubt even by computer!

The Dore Bible Illustrations Dore
The Dore Bible Illustrations are magnificent. One looks at them and marvels at their intricasy and sensitivity. Everyone who sees this book asks how to obtain a copy. It is a brilliant and bright look backwards, like a trip to Sunday school. Special care has been taken to bind the book so that it will lie flat. Dover permits the use of the plates for creative endeavors, so for all the enthusiasts who like to make Greeting Cards for friends using scanned images, this is a wonderful tool. I highly recommend this book for every person who believes in Christ and I know this is wonderful to read and ponder before bedtime.

A very beautiful and inspiring book
Dore's "Bible Illustrations" is a very beautiful and nostalgic trip into Victorian book illustration. I remember these images from a multi- volume "Bible for Children" that I had as a child. I was parted from those books,but always remembered the images, and what a lasting effect they had on my spirituality, and my internal image of God. I was so happy to be able to buy the Dore "Bible Illustrations" from Amazon. I am an artist with a special interest in Victorian imagery,and will treasure this volume. The plates are masterful,dramatic,quaint,and somewhat mystical in feel. I think any person interested in Victorian art,and Christian iconography will enjoy this book.

I have this dore bible illustrations -altemus edition-
I would like to know the value of this book. My mom give me this book- 1940. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume introduces characters appearing in historical manga, anime, etc. in a fun format, to help out struggling artists who need historical references for ninjas and samurai. At the end of the book, characters designed for anime or manga use appear. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (9)

Gorey and ghastly
The much-lamented Edward Gorey specialized in intricate, ominous pen-and-ink drawings. Doomed Victorian opera singers, alligators, time-bending bicycles, and plenty of creatures strange and grotesque fill "Amphigorey Also," a collection of Gorey's quirky work.

Included is the cute "Utter Zoo" ("The Ippagoggy has a taste/for every kind of glue and paste"), the tragic "Blue Aspic" (a crazed, impoverished man stalks an opera diva), the amusing "Sopping Thursday" (Bruno the dog looks for his master's umbrella), and the delicious revenge fairy tale "The Tuning Fork." The highlight is the "Awdrey Gore Legacy," a deliciously warped murder mystery.

Some of the offerings are kind of befuddling, like the disjointed conversation between a mustachioed man and a woman with a geisha hairdo, or the "Eclectic Abcedarium" with its too tiny pictures. But most of them, like "Les Passementeries Horribles" (in which embroidery and tassels act ominous) or "The Prune People" (which is pictures of people with prunes for heads) are amusing even if they make no sense.

Edward Gorey's delicate pen-and-ink illustrations would be fun even if he didn't possess the morbid whimsy that fills almost every story. Okay, if you are easily offended, then the "Loathsome Couple" will offend you with a pair of crazy killers lure, photograph and murder small children ("They spent the better part of the night murdering the child in various ways"). But he did so in the best of bad taste.

His slightly warped sensibilities were also shown in the chilly skies and barren-looking outdoors, cute children and haughty adults in Victorian attire. There are occasional splashes of color (like the blue backdrops of "L'heure Bleue"), but even then it tends to be a bit eerie and faded like old photographs.

The eerie whimsy of Edward Gorey's work is alive and well in "Amphigorey Also." A few of the works are duds, but overall it's a strange and wonderful ride.

Got to love it
Gorey captured and sustained a unique mood: somewhat baffled, somewhat paranoid, seldom decisively either. His characters all seem to stare blankly into the distance. Maybe they're trying to remember somthing that seemed terribly important at the time, maybe they caught glimpses of something ominous out of the corners of their eyes. Maybe they just realized that something is horribly wrong, but no one knows what. I'm never sure whether to laugh out loud at his images or to start looking back over my own shoulder.

His penwork is as familiar to PBS "Mystery!" fans as to the Gorey hard-core. He uses color, occasionally, but only to set off the black and white drawings. His little stories approach, but never quite reach either disjointedness or the truly macabre. I'm not quite sure where to file this one, but it seems comfortable half-way between the comics and the fine art.

If you are determined to know what's going on, Gorey's work may not be for you - possibly, because Gorey never quite knew either.

In Gorey Heaven!
What a wonderful compilation of the works of this unusual and extremely gifted artist! While Charles Addams is a household name, that of Edward Gorey still brings looks of puzzlement whenever it comes up in conversation. I personally feel he has never received the acclaim justly due him, but then again, his works certainly will not be to everyone's taste. At times his stories are beyond comprehension, but perhaps that was his intention--to leave us guessing or use our own imagination to fill in the gaps. Be that as it may, the illustrations are worth the price of the book alone. If you love Edward Gorey and would rather have some of his works together in one volume, do yourself a favor and purchase this book. But be prepared to enter his personal weird and at times incomprehensible world.

GLORIOUS FUN
The third Edward Gorey collection- Dedicated to: The dog at Gay Head :-)

Features 17 stories

THE UTTER ZOO: An alphabet featuring creatures whose names begin with each of the 26 letters, from: "The Ampoo is intensely neat; it's head is small, likewise it's feet" to "About the Zote what can be said? There was just one, and now it's dead"

THE BLUE ASPIC: A classic, about Jasper Ankle a VERY obsessed fan of a opera singer named Ortenzia Caviglia who puts the audience in raptures with her arias like: "Gli Occhielli & Lizzia Bordena" (Lizzie Borden!) :-)

THE EPIPLECTIC BICYCLE: "It was the day after Tuesday and the day before Wednesday..Embley and Yewbert were hitting one another with croquet mallets"..suddenly they discover a bicycle, and go on an adventure!

THE SOPPING THURSDAY: It's raining and Bruno the dog's master cannot find his umbrella! Bruno (a very noble beast) goes off to search for his masters umbrella, passing by many people who are also trying to cope with the weather.

THE GRAND PASSION (A novel): A very short novel! About the odd conversation between a woman with a geisha hairdo and a gentleman in a top hat. :-P

LES PASSEMENTERIES HORRIBLES: A passementerie is: A dress trimming, as of braid or silk embroidery (The Winston Dictionary College Edition) This story features some very ominous passementeries looming over people and animals, peeking through windows at people. :-P Acting very suspicious!

THE ECLECTIC ABECEDARIUM: Another alphabet: "Betray no qualms, when asking for ALMS" "A hidden BIRD is often heard" together with cute little pictures.

L'HEURE BLEUE: The title translates to: "The Blue Hour" the sky in the background is colored a beautiful twilight blue. The story features two creautures who resemble dogs, who both have the letter "T" embroidered on their sweaters. The plot follows their many interesting observations, during this "blue hour" :-)...VERY CUTE!

THE BROKEN SPOKE: Featuring a variety of "cycling cards" with pictures of a bunch of people (from all walks of life!) on bicycles!

THE AWDREY GORE LEGACY: A murder mystery! Who did it?! "One moment she was sitting there. The next, she had vanished into air"! It shows you a selection of weapons which may have been used, an assortment of suspicious characters, and some spots the body may be located. And Englands most sought after detective, a half Irish, half Japanese gentleman: named "Waredo Dyrge" and his inseparable canine companion "Deary"

THE GLORIOUS NOSEBLEEED: Yet another alphabet, with charming illustrations..."She wandered among the trees AIMLESSLY" "The creature regarded them BALEFULLY"...."He exposed himself LEWDLY" ;-)

THE LOATHSOME COUPLE: May be shocking to SOME, but not me. About the terrible coupling of two loathsome (pathetic and pitiful!) individuals "Harold Snedleigh" & "Mona Gritch" who plan and carry out the murder of children together( those Gorey children are so hapless!). A long story, a Gorey classic and one of my favorites. The plot may make some frown and seem distastful, but strangley....it isn't.

THE GREEN BEADS: About little Tancred, whose mother sends him to buy three pennies worth of tapioca. Suddenly he meets a very odd old mentally disturbed person (whose sex is unclear) Who reveals SHE is Tancred's grandmother 'Baroness von Rettig" who Tancred's mother had thought was lost long ago. But what ever became of the Baroness's emerald necklace?

LES URNES UTILES: The title translates to: "The Useful Urns" and here they are huge, bigger than people. They stand in the most awkward of places, and bear odd inscriptions.

THE STUPID JOKE: All about Friederich and his idea for a stupid joke, instead of getting out of bead he'll just lie there, while his family come in trying various ways to make him get up!

THE PRUNE PEOPLE: Is all about..well, prune people! People who have prunes for heads!

THE TUNING FORK: About poor homely Theod whose presence drove her family wild! Bent on suicide she rushed to the ocean, flinging herself in. But instead she meets a fanstatic sea creature who sympatizes with poor Theoda and her cruel past.

Here Edward Gorey is as great as usual! The Loathsome Couple may shock and offend some people, but it really is done in the most tasteful way as possible, for the subject matter.

Still delightfully entertaining!
This is the third of the Amphigorey series. Like those before it, this book is witty, charming, horrifying, and a delight to read. Filled with gothic illustrations, these short stories will sometimes chill you, sometimes confuse you, yet always entertain you. ... Read more

Book Description

For the first time, TCJ devotes a volume to the most popular comics in the world: Manga.

The now-annual Comics Journal Special Edition focuses this time on the phenomenal Manga (Japanese comics) invasion. In 2003, North American bookstore sales of Manga surged to an unprecedented $100 million—or 75% of the entire sales of comics! Which means it's time for The Comics Journal, the foremost magazine of iconoclastic criticism, to take a hard look at Japanese cartoonists and translated manga, and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Our cover feature is Manga superstar Hideshi Hino, whose 30-year career and inimitable style have put him at the forefront of Japan's horror genre. 2004 promises to be the year of Hino here in the States with the publication of English translations of all his major books starting in March with The Red Snake and Bug Boy. Hino will discuss his life and work in an exclusive interview and he will provide the original front cover artwork.

Our Manga section will also include our fearsome critiques of the best and worst of the genre, as well as essential interviews with or profiles of the most notable Manga artists, including Yoshiharu Tsuge, Kan Takahama, and the undisputed king of Manga, the creator of Astro Boy, Adolf and Buddha amongst so many others, author Osamu Tezuka!

Meanwhile, Vaughn Bodé, the legendary and enduring underground cartoonist (and current inspiration of graffiti artists everywhere) is given the full treatment with an illuminating profile by Bob Levin (The Pirates & the Mouse), a critical essay by Donald Phelps (Reading the Funnies), a rare interview, and exclusive excerpts from his private diaries. From the archives, we've unearthed a 40,000-word biographical essay of Thomas Rowlandson, the great 18th/19th century illustrator, caricaturist, and cartoonist, written by Art Young in1938!

Also: Bill Blackbeard profiles the madcap cartoonist Milt Gross, considered by some to be the first graphic novelist (this essay is amply illustrated with samples form strips such as Count Screwloose of Tooloose and Otto bad Blotto). Tom Spurgeon profiles Rowland Emmett, the brilliant Punch artist (and editor), whose whimsical cartoons graced the magazine for over half a century and who is perhaps best known as for designing the 'inventions' of Caractacus Potts from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Finally, there's our renowned comics section whose theme this issue is "Seduction," and that will include an international array of some of the most accomplished and innovative artists in the world. 180 pp. illustrated, with color section, 12" x 12". ... Read more

Book Description

The first comprehensive retrospective of one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century, who began his career as one of the most innovative comic book creators of his generation.

A gigantic retrospective/biography/critical assessment of one of the most important cartoonists in the history of comics, who went on to become a renowned fine artist and teacher in New York. The author had full access to Bernard Krigstein's archives and files and has written a compelling biography of the artist from his childhood in New York to his days as a comics artist from the late '40s to the early '60s, and through his post-comics career as a fine artist, commercial illustrator, and teacher. Krigstein is renowned as one of the great innovators working within the commercial comics industry: his story about a Nazi commandant, "Master Race," published by the legendary EC Comics, is studied in college courses and considered one of the most fascinating formal experiments in comics. This book reproduces many of Krigstein's comics stories as well as many of his commercial assignments (such as the line of paperback covers he did for the reissues of Joyce Cary's novels) as well as his fine art paintings. Most of this work has never been seen outside its original publication. Most of the comics stories are obscure and have not been reprinted since their initial publication (mostly from the '50s) and his fine art has only appeared in galleries and exhibitions.

Krigstein (1919-1990), classically trained in Fine Art, was a Brooklyn-born painter who was one of the first practitioners who approached comics with the respect, integrity, and psychological depth of a serious artist. After an innovative and contentious decade, he was forced to abandon the field due to its narrow-minded and formulaic tendencies, which continue to this day. This first of two volumes traces Krigstein's groundbreaking comic-book work at Hillman, Atlas, DC, and EC, as well as his parallel development as an illustrator and painter. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An artist in full
Greg Sadowski's biography of Bernard Krigstein, who possessed one of the most innovative minds---and pens---in comic book history, is a labor of love that is revealed as such on every page. From the high quality of the paper to the superb graphic design, from the sharp reproductions to the text that details his life, career, and reputation, B. KRIGSTEIN is a book that would grace any library. But it covers not only his comic book work. For here are also his many book illustrations, his World War II field sketches and paintings, his canvases and gallery works (among them portraits of his wife and family), urban vignettes and rural landscapes, even greeting cards, gum cards,
and advertising art. He was truly a modern-day Renaissance man, fully deserving of this highly focused, incredibly beautiful tribute. There have been many innovators in comic art over the decades (George Herriman and Art Spiegelman, to name just two), but none of them had Krigstein's range of powers and depth of creativity. His was a name that the centuries will remember.

One of the great forgotten comic artist
This book will show you all the reasons for my title. Mr.Krigstein was truly a master at pacing and design on the comic page.
His art speaks far better than I can write so I'll just tell you if you buy this book you will not be disapointed.
The comic Master Race alone is worth the price of this book.

absolutely essential for comic fans and artists of all types
the world was not ready for the work of bernie krigstein when he hit his stride in comics in the early 50's. a fine artist at heart, he became obsessed with the art form of comics and the possibilities that it held. few were attempting to take comics so seriously and in those days, they were just above pornography as far as respectability goes. he produced some brilliant works, but the book reveals just how much of a struggle it was to get these masterworks in print. the artwork speaks for itself, but i was really drawn into the text which details the inner workings of the comics machine of the 1940's-50's and how ridiculously it was run. although he begged and pleaded with management, he was never able to bring a story out further than 9 pages, and had to threaten leaving in order to even ink his own work rather than have it butchered by someone else. considering the roadblocks that constantly stood in front of him, it was amazing that he was able to experiment as much as he did.

among his more famous experiments was panel subdivision, breaking away from the standard 6-9 panels per page and, in one instance, producing some 75 panels in 6 pages. this brought an entirely new dimension to comics, introducing the break down of time and space within the page. he also brought a style of cinematography that was never thought of in comics before that must have influenced filmmakers years down the road.

greg sadowski has assembled a truly staggering biography. he had direct access to the artists collection and publishes for the first time many works that have never seen the light of day. rare artist photostats of pencil artwork that went on to be mutiliated by someone else's inks. original panels that were ordered by management to be covered up with different artwork. exhaustive research with coworkers, friends and family, as well as unbelievably wise words from the artist himself given in various interviews many years ago that gives a definitive look into the workings of this man's artistic mind.

it must [stink] being the pioneer, you never get to see the fruits of your labor. but all who charged through the door that b krigstein kicked down acknowledge him as the man who started it all.

THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR ANY COMIC ART FAN, AS WELL AS ANY ARTIST OF ANY TYPE. IT IS VERY INSPIRING AND IS A GREAT READ. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

Helps with gag writing as well as teaching drawing technique
An excellent all round instruction manuel on the craft of cartooning and one that should be in every serious cartoonist's or would-be cartoonist's book shelf. The thing that stands this book head and shoulders above others I've read is that it teaches gag writing as well as cartooning technique, answering questions like - Where does a gag come from? What makes it funny? How can I refine it and make it better? This is the only book I've bought that answers all these questions. The book also has great drawing technique instruction and is a good reference book to have to hand as there are pages of gag situations that just reading can get your mind into gear, particularly if your having a day when your running short of ideas. Packed with info, techniques, reference, addresses, and stuff on how to sell your finished product, The Cartoonist's Workbook is a must have for anyone serious about cartooning.

In cartooning, less is more
Cartooning is an art of economy. The cartoonist has to be able to express motion, emotion, depth, and action with a minimum of lines. Robin Hall's book shows you how to do just that. The non-artist will quickly learn how to draw expressive faces and figures. The experienced artist will learn how to pare away distracting detail and create a pure minimalist drawing that tells a story. All readers will learn what makes a drawing and a caption funny, and will be creating their own cartoons in no time.

Hall's "Keyhole Ken" character is a simple figure that anyone can draw, but with repeated practice, the cartoonist's own style will take hold and transform this figure into something unique. I recommend this book for everyone interested in becoming either a professional cartoonist or an admired amateur doodler.

Awesome Book for Beginners and Beyond
This book starts off with the absolute basics, which is just what I needed(my stick figures even looked bad). In just the first pages you get what I think is the most valuable lesson in drawing - practice. Practice until you can do it easily, one step at a time.
I highly recommend that you don't underestimate what this book can do for a novice artist. I find myself refering back to this book especially when I get stuck on some of the more advanced manga books.
Remember this is a workbook, not a reading book.
Good luck.

Excellent, easy-to-follow instructions that really work!
If you're a beginning cartoonist, an expert, or just someone who loves Art (in cartoon form), you'll get a lot from The Cartoonist's Workbook.

The drawing instructions are straight forward and easy to follow. The "keyhole" method is especially useful for creating figures. The budding cartoonist, or grizzled Art veteran, will quickly find themselves drawing figures that express emotion and movement. There are also useful sections on the methods behind "gag" writing and the selling of your own cartoons.

If you like to draw, you'll love the Cartoonist's Workbook, and your cartooning will definitely improve!

Buy this only if you absolutely can't draw
I was disappointed with this book. It is absolutely at the most basic level of drawing. I have a bachelors degree in fine art. I already know how to draw. The book should come with a disclaimer like " Great book for those who can't draw stick figures. Great book for children." I don't think this book will help people who are serious about becoming cartoonists. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A book mostly on what is appealing in a comic
This book is bad for beginners. It says to start out with a stick figure. Good. It says stay loose with your drawing. Good. 8 pages on the head and nothing on muscles. BAD. A person would be able to draw a good head, but thats it. The book gives helpful suggestions on what type of characters make a good comic book and how to make the panel look good. If you want anatomy get the marvel book with the tools, you'll be drawing better in no time. then come back and get this one for making an book.

Excellent guide for drawing comics
True to its title, this book shows many examples of how to draw comic characters. Facial expressions, body proportions and poses--all these aspects are covered (and more). The book specializes in comic-style drawing, but many of the tips apply to normal drawing as well. This book is a good companion (and in many respects superior) to How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way.

Not much help!
This book is pretty pathetic. The instruction is minimal and the art is just so average it's not even funny. You would at least hope that someone telling you "how to" could do it themselves. Get drawing the marvel way it's not perfect but it beats this hands down.

decent for beginers
If you have little to no cartooning talent what so ever the go for this book. If you're halfway decent all ready dont bother. The writer/artist is an obvious amature and to my knowledge has never worked on a major comic. It does have a few good points but not many. I personaly found this book to be a waste of my time, if you are looking for a good instructional book for creating comics i suggest "HOW TO DRAW COMICS THE MARVEL WAY" which is much more in depth than Mr. Hart's book.

Cool Book
I loved this Book. ithought it was amazing. I love how he gives u all those pages on heads. It's rea;l cool ... Read more

Book Description

This volume was inspired by young women working in cafes and restaurants clad in those absolutely charming uniforms. Snowy white aprons and crisply starched dresses are staples of manga and anime. This guide features various popular uniforms and costumes. Select an interesting uniform or costume to try on one of your own characters! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Characteristic Generalization to the max!
I bought this book and was Very pleased with it! I give it a four out of five stars, four because there is sometimes unnecessary nudity in the book. The nudity occurs mostly in section four subtitled "The bare essentials." Section four is only useful if you're looking to understand the different reactions by the different personalities given.
The title of this book is "A Girl's Life: illistration file," so you can expect that it's going to give a lot of information on the qualities that you could expect to see from different personalities, versus information on drawing the characters. I suggest a different book if you're interested in drawing diversified characters and need the 'know how's' for figure frames and so on.
As for me, this book fulfilled my every expectation. I draw on an intermidiate level, I'm generally satisfied for now with that, so I was looking for some material to strengthen my understanding of character psychology so to speak so I could break out of my cosier and bland character selection and give my characters more defined personalities. This book gives plenty of starting base with its clothing styles, hair styles, typical poses, and environmental affects to accomplish diversity in characters.
So, if you're like me and you're needing something more than suggestions for setting up frames and general stuff, I highly suggest this book!

the beeeeest book
Inside this book had colours !
but... not every page... It's OK because in the pages that do not or have colours are Very Very GRRREAT !
and there are more coloured pages than non-coloured pages(the first pages had colours)But don't look in chapter 4 :
The Bare Essentials,because there are JUST ... NAKED (NUDE)
Pictures!So,THIS BOOK IS VERY USEFUL and...FUN !!!
BUY IT !!!!!!!!!!But...I wanted to say that this book DO NOT
Kept you learn drawing step to step but it's meaning
is for you, drawing or Knowing a Girl's life and it had writted:
Girl's life.......illutration file...that do not (doesn't) mean that you should Copy ECXACT the same,but you should know
the importants (like as the ECXACT same hair,heads)of the manga
Girl drawing ( If you'd like to see boys , buy HOW TO DRAW MANGA--MALE CHARACTERS and I hadn't buy it so can someone write a review of that book if someone has it and begin writting :
Dear Lucie...(My name is Lucie)Please?)

Good book
I gave this book a 5 becuase it has very good pictures and info. But if you think it goes into the basic of the circles and stuff to draw it then this book would not be for you. anyway I love the book and its very awesome.

A very useful book to have for reference!
I'm very satisfied with this book - the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the price (then again, How to Draw Manga books are always overpriced).

This book is based on six stereotypes: Perky, Sporty, Dreamy, Precocious, Shy, and Uppity. It includes many details of each girl's behavior pattern, taste, lifestyle, etc. as well as general details of what a [Japanese] girl does in a day.

There are...
- five chapters that are literally illustration files
&
- two short tutorials... one is one page and is about - finally - "how to draw" the girls and the other is two pages and are pointers on how to improve the character design

However, although most of the book doesn't literally teach the reader "how to draw" a girl, the information is very useful for any artist interested in drawing young Japanese girls.

Chapter 1, Home Sweet Home, encompasses floor plans of each of the girls' rooms, the items each of them have in their closets, the way they organize their items, etc.

Chapter 2, Girly Stuff, prove to be useful (and I think that guys would especially find the information helpful!), as it has sections like Inside the Schoolbag, A Peek Into the Jewelry Box, Dieting, Skincare, Cosmetics, etc.

Chapter 3, Fashion Statements, is in full color!! (other chapters only have a few colored pages here and there) Every girl is drawn out in their preferred daywear, nightwear, yukata (summer kimono), and lingerie.

Chapter 4, The Bare Essentials, are literally, the BARE essentials. It's basically a collection of seven pages (all colored - that was nice), each girl had a page of her own (except Perky Girl, who had two) with their nude illustrations. I suppose it's a good reference for poses and it shows their personalities, but otherwise quite useless.

Chapter 5, No Boys Allowed!, is a look at some places where only girls hang out (i.e., the girls' locker room). I liked this because the black and white sketch illustrations showed how these places look like in Japan - it's useful for anyone who wants to make a manga that takes place in Japan but isn't familiar with the country.

While many(/all?) other HTDM books are in black and white, How to Draw