The Art of Comic Book Writing

October 1, 2015

Arthur and illustrator Kneece (sequential art, Savannah Coll. of Art and Design; The Twilight Zone) states that writing for comics is unlike creating in any other medium, particularly with the additional effort of worldbuilding. While a novelist may portray the world through the inner thoughts of the story's narrator, comics creators must be conservative with text and instead relay the needed information through images on the page. Using real-world examples of both text and image, Kneece walks readers through the creation of a comic from various vantage points. He also covers the modes of creating a comic, such as adapting a work or collaborating with others. VERDICT This guide isn't the first to discuss how to write for comics, yet it is by far the most in-depth treatment given to the subject in recent years. Although Kneece's works may not be well known, his legacy may well be this text, which will serve as a relevant resource to any program teaching comics and/or creative writing.--Andy Shuping, White River Junction, VT

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015
Kneece, a professor at Savannah College of Art and Design, has spent more than 20 years teaching comic-book writers and artists the skills of the trade, and he shares his decades of experience here. Beginning with the basics of storytellingthree-act structure; tips on conflict, character, and dialogue; etc.he then launches into the specifics of writing for comic books, which is far more structured than prose writing. He offers insights on communicating with artists, pacing a story in a controlled number of pages, being concise, formatting for writing and page layouts, effectively pitching a project, and, most important, ensuring that a good narrative is at the heart of every script. Though his emphasis on rules can seem limiting and geared more toward superhero comics than other forms of sequential-art narratives, overall, his guide is full of practical advice for writers hoping to break into the field. With ample examples of scripts in various stages, both before and after feedback, this resource, especially in concert with other writing guides, will be fundamental for writers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)