The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
by Dennis O'Neil
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dennis O'NeilEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-05
ISBN: 0823010279
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: Watson-Guptill
Book Reviews of The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
Book Review: Let Denny O'Neil Teach You the Basics
Summary: 4 Stars
The DC Guide to Writing Comics by Dennis O'Neil is a quick little romp through the utter basics of story structure, scripting, and dialoging.
Having been a huge fan of comic books for as long as I can remember, I've always had the desire to write and publish my own mainly just because I think it would be fun. For me, sequential art has always been a medium that ties together well-written prose with artwork that's exciting and and full of detail.
If you don't know the first thing about writing comic books, then I'd recommend this as an excellent place to start. Sure, O'Neil spends a lot of time on the very basics of storytelling, informing the reader of what's necessary for Act's I-III. While you might be able to pick this up just from reading a single issue or complete story arc in a current title, it's great to have a small reference book for your shelf that doesn't require you to thumb through hundreds of pages to find the info you seek.
My favorite section offered up was that on scripting. Comic book scripting is one of those things that's very much dependent on person preference or publisher. It helps the aspiring comic writer find the style best suited for him or her and provides interesting exercises in one's ability to adapt to whatever the project requires. For effect, O'Neil juxtaposes his scripts with the finished product so you can see how artist interprets the writer's ideas and direction.
Even if you have no desire to write a comic, this quick read will give you an appreciation for how the books are constructed. If nothing else, it will remind you that even though it only took you ten minutes to read a single issue comic cover to cover... the creative team spent weeks channeling their creativity into the medium.
It's important to note that regardless of the fact that Batman and Superman adorn the covers of this book, the suggestions, tips, and tactics within are applicable to all styles of graphic storytelling. The section on plot structure alone should earn this a spot on any writer's shelf.
Summary of The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
For any writer who wants to become an expert comic-book storyteller, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics is the definitive, one-stop resource!In this valuable guide, Dennis O?Neil, a living legend in the comics industry, reveals his insider tricks and no-fail techniques for comic storytelling. Readers will discover the various methods of writing scripts (full script vs. plot first), as well as procedures for developing a story structure, building subplots, creating well-rounded characters, and much more. O?Neil also explains the many diverse formats for comic books, including graphic novels, maxi-series, mega-series, and adaptation. Of course, there are also dozens of guidelines for writing proposals to editors that command attention and get results.
There must be dozens of books on how to draw comics, but even the best artists need to tell a good story. Who can teach them? Dennis O'Neil. A comics writer and editor for more than 20 years, O'Neil oversees DC Comics' Batman titles--one of the most successful comics franchises ever. In addition, he's a bestselling novelist, a screenwriter, and a writing teacher. So when it comes to storytelling, O'Neil knows his stuff. In this guide he delivers his knowledge in a succinct, no-nonsense style.
O'Neil explains three-act story structure and examines subplots, characterization, and methods for developing drama and suspense. He then applies these concepts to comics' specific forms: graphic novels, miniseries, maxiseries, and the rare megaseries (such as Batman: No Man's Land, a year-long über-narrative played out across five comics titles). As in good comics, words and images work together in this book. Every idea is illustrated by panels or pages from great moments in DC Comics lore. Especially illuminating are the script excerpts that come paired with the comic book pages they describe.
Strangely, the book ignores the visual side of comics writing. Modern comics scripts specify shots, angles, and blocking in movie-director fashion, but that craft is never addressed. (DC has a good opportunity here for a second volume.) However, what this book sets out to teach--storytelling--it does quite well. Aspiring comics writers won't just learn theory, they'll be empowered, because O'Neil provides a framework for crafting new tales. --J.B. Peck
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