Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-Hart takes a small but measurable step beyond the basics in this guide to the distinctive Japanese art form. Sandwiched between an introduction to the several genres of manga and a searching interview with Bill Flanagan, editor in chief for one of the largest U.S. manga publishers, is a discussion of techniques for drawing, dressing, and posing all of the standard character types effectively ("-you want a short upper lip, which is a trademark of a youthful character. Long upper lips are reserved for older and sinister characters"). Hart covers creating animals, from dragons to sidekicks, and composing panels that are properly cinematic. For the art, which mixes dozens of step drawings with flurries of finished, usually colored, sample figures, he supplements his own work with generic examples from nine domestic artists, then uses examples of popular published manga to illustrate the interview. Though writing, storyboarding, and computer-assisted design are not covered here, and chapters that introduce a few phrases of tourist Japanese and provide brief, standard generalities about careers in the comics industry are off topic, this book dishes up such generous helpings of specific advice and general encouragement that it makes an appealing alternative to Mikio Kawanishi's How to Draw Manga: Expert Edition (Graphic-Sha, 1998; o.p.) and the many narrowly focused instructional manuals.John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Hart, a successful contributor to MAD magazine, the Blondie cartoon strip, and film and TV, adds another volume to his prolific output of books, which includes his recent Cartooning for the Beginner (LJ 11/15/00). Here he presents the only book on how to draw the wildly popular manga style of comic book art. In Japan, manga comics are devoured by children and adults. The style has been imported in the form of Digimon, Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Pok mon. Hart is a master at teaching cartooning methods, and this book, with chapters like "The Bad Boys of Manga" and "Manga's Fantasy Realm," doesn't disappoint. Recommended for public libraries. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 9-12. Japanese-style comics, characterized by big-eyed, dynamically posed characters, are in vogue among today's American teens. Hart's colorful book goes beyond drawing suggestions and model sketches to provide a rich interpretation of what the stylistic elements--from gestures to costuming--actually mean and how they differ from what's usually seen in U.S. comics. In a sense, this book is about understanding cultural attitudes. The writing is chatty and casual; sexism is a part of the mix, with chapters on drawing "bad boys" and "babes" as well as ones about poses and genres. Despite an interview with a publisher that reads like advertising copy, the bulk of this book is a success: manga enthusiasts will have a field day recognizing the symbolism they've begun to intuit from their reading, and the artistically inclined will find solid guidance. Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Take a look at the wild popularity of such shows as Pokémon, Digimon, and Dragonball Z, and you'll see the Manga style of comic-book art in action. There's no doubt about it: Manga is hot. And Manga Mania is the only guide that details step by step, how young and veteran artists alike can draw fantasy robots, diabolical monsters, mythical animals, and the other exciting characters that are part of this dynamic genre. Manga art has many styles: the young Manga style, à la Pokémon; and the more mature style popular with teens and adults. Manga Mania covers them both. Big, splashy chapters demonstrate how to draw martial arts, special effects, and much, much more. Since the Manga style stresses character rather than anatomy, Manga comics are easier to draw. So a beginning comic-book artist can easily learn the tricks of the trade. Chris Hart, known for his very clear step-by-step illustrations and accompanying text, details how anyone can become a real Manga artist without having to reinvent the art of drawing.


About the Author
Christopher Hart's name has become synonymous with how-to-draw books. He attended the Disney animation program at the California Institute of the Arts and earned a B.A. from New York University's film school. Hart writes regularly for Cartoonist Profiles, is a former staff artist of the world-famous Blondie comic strip, and has been a regular contributor to MAD Magazine. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.


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Gr 5 Up-Hart takes a small but measurable step beyond the basics in this guide to the distinctive Japanese art form. Sandwiched between an introduction to the several genres of manga and a searching interview with Bill Flanagan, editor in chief for one of the largest U.S. manga publishers, is a discussion of techniques for drawing, dressing, and posing all of the standard character types effectively ("-you want a short upper lip, which is a trademark of a youthful character. Long upper lips are reserved for older and sinister characters"). Hart covers creating animals, from dragons to sidekicks, and composing panels that are properly cinematic. For the art, which mixes dozens of step drawings with flurries of finished, usually colored, sample figures, he supplements his own work with generic examples from nine domestic artists, then uses examples of popular published manga to illustrate the interview. Though writing, storyboarding, and computer-assisted design are not covered here, and chapters that introduce a few phrases of tourist Japanese and provide brief, standard generalities about careers in the comics industry are off topic, this book dishes up such generous helpings of specific advice and general encouragement that it makes an appealing alternative to Mikio Kawanishi's How to Draw Manga: Expert Edition (Graphic-Sha, 1998; o.p.) and the many narrowly focused instructional manuals.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.


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