A fresh, up-to-date approach to creating comics shows artists of all ages and talent levels how to build basic figures into stylized characters, set them in action, and add the backgrounds needed to complete the visual storytelling process.

Chapters include instruction on basic shapes and perspective; human anatomy, figure drawing, and stylizing the basic figure; the head and comic facial expressions; and backgrounds and inking techniques. Terrific tips of the trade are provided by prominent young professionals in the comic book industry who share their insiders overviews of the business, giving aspiring cartoonists a decided edge in becoming savvy newcomers as they prepare to enter a very competitive field.

Andy Smith, whose own comic books are published by Image Comics, has worked as a penciler, inker, and art director for several top companies, including Marvel, DC, and Acclaim Comics. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

Paperback, 144 pages, 300 black and white and 10 color illusrations. ISBN: 0-8230-0312-4