Product Description

"There's more to dynamic storytelling than lighting tricks and breaking panels. Mostly, it comes from the heart and gut. The absolute refusal to let anything go onto the page without knowing why it goes onto the page and how it will affect readers."

From the creative minds behind your favorite modern-day comics ...

In this unprecedented, behind-the-scenes guide, former Marvel editor and current IDW senior editor Andy Schmidt and his superstar industry friends give you the inside track on creating engaging, professional-looking comic books.

Written for upcoming creative stars and comic book enthusiasts, The Insider's Guide to Comics and Graphic Novels covers the entire creative process from beginning to end, from fine-tuning a script to the nuances of camera angles, costume design and lettering. You'll learn not only how to emulate a camera pan, hit `em with a splash page and shift into slow motion, but also WHEN and WHY to dip into that bag of graphic tricks for maximum impact.

The real-world guide to creating great comics!

* Profiles and insights from John Romita, Jr., Neal Adams, Gene Ha, David Finch and John Byrne

* Professional advice from top talents in the business, including writers Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns and Tom DeFalco; inkers Klaus Janson, Karl Kesel and Mike Perkins; colorist Chris Sotomayor; and letterer Chris Eliopoulos

* Expert instruction on every element of the creative process--writing, drawing, inking, coloring, page layout and scene design--and how they all work together

About the Author

During his five-year tenure with Marvel Comics, Andy Schmidt served as editor with many high-profile creators on hundreds of projects such as those for highly successful writer and IMPACT author Peter David. Schmidt’s credits include (but are not limited to) the following properties: Alias, Avengers, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, JLA/Avengers, Marvel Universe, Wolverine, X-Men. He has also been a contributor to Wizard: The Comics Magazine’s “Basic Training” features, including tips on topics such as putting together a portfolio for review and making an impression on comics editors. In October 2007, Schmidt launched Comics Experience, a comics school and workshop for artists and writers with frequent guest speakers such as Jae Lee (artist, Stephen King’s The Dark Tower), Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man), and Nick Lowe (Marvel editor, X-Men). www.comicsexperience.com