Suggested Supplemental Materials

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Understanding Comics: the Invisible Art / Scott McCloud

This non-fiction examination of storytelling via comics is itself a comic! A brilliant, time-tested, industry-proven framework for understanding the roles that words and images play in reading and creating comics. (I thanked McCloud for his work in my own book.) Link.

Bill Peet: An Autobiography

I grew up reading Bill Peet’s dozens of children’s books and was delighted to learn in this book that he was also responsible for developing characters, story, and storyboards for beloved Disney films, including Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, and The Sword in the Stone, and more! This biography is a joy to read, with its simple, sometimes lyrical writing, and plentiful illustrations. Bill Peet himself recounts his time at Disney, his love for drawing and storytelling, and his foray into children’s books. Link.

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki” from NHK World

This 4-part documentary chronicles a period of Miyazaki’s personal and creative life, including his unique working methods that resulted in characters, story, and artwork that would become”Ponyo”. Link.

Writing Excuses Podcast

A powerful, practical look under the hood at character, plot, setting, and myriad writing techniques designed to keep you focused on what works. PLUS, each episode is just 15 minutes long—”Because you’re in a hurry and we’re not that smart.” Link.

Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Lectures

A tremendous, invaluable resource for creators of longer works seeking a better understanding of writing elements, practices, and the publishing world at large from the NYT bestselling author and holder of multiple Kickstarter records. Each ~115 min. episode is a practical look at the business and craft of writing from a living legend. Link.

What We See When We Read / Peter Mendelsund

Is reading allowed to be this fun? A wonderfully unique, fully illustrated exploration into the phenomenology of reading that reads like part picture book, part psychology book, part history book, and completely enjoyable. Link.

The Hero With a Thousand Faces / Joseph Campbell

This author and his work have forever changed my perception of story for the better. This particular book is the culmination of the author’s lifetime of studying mythologies from different peoples, times, and places, recognizing emergent patterns, and applying the “monomyth” to our own lives. Campbell champions the storyteller and hero in life (encouraging all to “Follow your bliss”) and also has a wonderful series of conversations with Bill Moyers, including how Campbell worked with George Lucas to develop the Star Wars mythos. Link.

Drawing Words & Writing Pictures / Jessica Abel & Matt Madden

Even Scott McCloud (see Understanding Comics) praises this unique college-level course on comic creation that centers on storytelling and concludes with making a finished comic. With chapters on lettering, story structure, and panel layout, the fifteen lessons offered—each complete with homework, extra credit activities, and supplementary reading suggestions—provide a solid introduction for people interested in making their own comics. Link.

Dinotopia / James Gurney

One of my favorite books, period. Students of story and illustration will marvel over Gurney’s masterful drawings, paintings, designs, and page layouts that populate the inventive journal adventures of an explorer and his son, who find themselves in Dinotopia, an undiscovered island where humans coexist with intelligent dinosaurs. Fun to read, study, and repeat. Link.

Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon / Malcolm Gladwell

An exceptional use of the audiobook format (maybe the best?), detailing the creative work and processes of songcrafter Paul Simon. Link.

Talking to Tesla: The Mirror That is the Door / Alex Bigney

I truly can’t say enough good things about this book. What does one call a deeply affecting reading experience that is equal parts inspiration, observation, instruction, and philosophy? Addressing choice, faith, process, and belief through the “dream” journal of a “middle-aged painter”, Alex Bigney’s “Talking to Tesla” is (among other things) a call to harness the creative spark within us, presented as a wonderfully unique and invigorating masterwork. Link.

Unflattening / Nick Sousanis

A staggering address on the nature and potential of the comics form. Herein, the author delves into the distinct ways that comics create meaning through the constant play of word and image. He explains how to see and read comics better, and presents ideas on making comics of your own. Link.

Monograph / Chris Ware

This massive, 280-page monumental feat of publishing and production stands at a shocking 13 x 18″ and weighs in at a whopping 9 pounds! Give your mind (and body) a workout by studying each astonishing page of this dense retrospective—where no space is wasted—from one of literature’s greatest creators and from comics’ greatest living creator (that’s right—I said it!). Link.