Intro to Comics as a Medium
Listed below are recommended introductory resources for the study of comics. These sources cover the artistry and history of the medium.
Books
Scott McCloud's books: Understanding comics (ISBN 006097625X), Reinventing Comics (ISBN 0060953500), Making Comics(ISBN 0060780940)
Scott McCloud's books about comics serve as an introduction to the medium. Understanding Comics covers the history and structure of comics; it serves a useful introduction to the language of comic analysis. Reinventing Comics discusses the history and future of comics, with a focus on the effect of the internet on the medium. Making Comics is about the artistic creation of comics.
Will Eisner's books about Comic Theory (Comics and Sequential Art- IBSN 9780393331264, Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative- ISBN 9780393331271, Expressive Anatomy for Comics and Narrative)
Will Eisner's books are the print versions of his essays and lectures about storytelling in graphic novels. Comics and Sequential Art highlights and demonstrates aspects of storytelling in graphic novels such as characterization, movement, and panel layouts. Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative is a companion to his previous work, it offers more direct instruction on the creation of graphic novels. Expressive Anatomy for Comics and Narrative is an expansion of the first book's section about anatomy in sequential art.
Encyclopedia of World Comics ed. by Maurice Horn (ISBN 0877540306)
This encyclopedia contains entries of artists and their creators from around the globe. It provides a introductory scope to the variety of comics across time and space.
The Comic Book Makers by Joe Simon and Jim Simon. (ISBN 1887591338)
The Comic Book Makers covers the early history of the American comic book history, specifically the superhero genre, from the perspective of comic book artist and co-creator of Captain America Joe Simon.
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics by Dennis O'Neal (ISBN 9780823010271)
A how to guide by Dennis O'Neal, a comic book writer credited with the seminal titles such as Batman and Green Lantern/ Green Arrow. The book focuses on developing comic scripts, it's a useful guide to understanding the structure of comic book stories.
God of Comics : Osamu Tezuka and the Creation of Post-World War II Manga by Natsu Onoda Power (ISBN 9781604732207)
This book focuses on the pioneer of modern manga Osamu Tezuka. The author covers his work within the context of Japanese history and the history of comics, analyzes Tezuka's large volume of work, and explores the Tezuka's creative influences.
Documentaries
Superheroes: A Never Ending Battle
A PBS documentary that focuses on the history and development of American Superhero comics.
This documentary is available to stream through our USC Kanopy subscription: https://www.kanopy.com/en/usclib/video/122976
White Scripts and Black Supermen: Black Masculinities in Comic Books
A documentary about the depiction of black men in American comics.
This documentary is available to stream through our USC Kanopy subscription: https://www.kanopy.com/en/usclib/video/139593