How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way

    (Marvel, 1978-1984)
™ and © Marvel Characters, Inc.

This black-and-white handbook by Stan Lee (Fantastic Four) and John Buscema (The Avengers) was published in 1978 and remains one of the finest how–to books of its kind. Lee provides the words and Buscema provides the pictures, offering future comic book artists lessons in value, perspective, figure-drawing, and composition, among others. Buscema’s artwork is at once bombastic—à la Jack Kirby (Captain America)—and fluid—à la John Romita (The Amazing Spider-Man), making him the perfect choice to usher fledgling artists into the world of comic book storytelling. DC Comics has since offered up writing, penciling, and inking handbooks for those with four-color aspirations, but this classic tome is among the first and the best.

— Thomas Moudry
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