How Comics Work

How Comics Work is a series of master classes taught by Dave Gibbons. This "How It's Done" series reveals insider hints, tips, and tricks from one of the world’s greatest comic creators, in his own words. Scriptwriting, page layouts, lettering, and cover designs are all featured, using scans of original artwork and rarely seen workings to illustrate Dave's creative processes.

Gibbons is one of the world's most famous comic creators working today, with over 40 years' experience at every major publisher in the US and UK. He is most well-known for his collaborations with Alan Moore, including Watchmen, and was named Britain’s first Comics Laureate last year. Throughout this insightful course are real-life examples of Gibbons’ art, revealing how he solved actual problems with practical solutions, and yielding unique behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process. All of the examples are scanned from original artwork, sketches, and preparatory designs, many of which have never been published. Learn the stages of layout and page planning via the initial designs of Give Me Liberty; discover Gibbons’ handy tips for lettering using extracts from The Originals; and find out the secrets of successful writing with sample scripts from The World’s Finest and The Green Lantern Corps.

How Comics Work covers both Gibbons' hand-drawn and digital design techniques in depth. An early adopter of computer design in comic creation, all of his lettering is digital and he even has his own 'hand-lettered' font. How Comics Work features myriad interesting insights into Gibbons' digital work, from his computer coloring and 3D modelling with Angus McKie on Give Me Liberty, to his work on The Originals using digital greytones. Readers will learn how he layers text for editing, creates effects such as flares and neon glows, and prepares artwork for print and online.