Shop Viral Toys & Games Now

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

  1. Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
    Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
    4.81,714
    $19.06
  2. Reinventing Comics: The Evolution of an Art Form – Twelve Revolutions in Digital Publishing, Creators' Rights, and the Future
    Reinventing Comics: The Evolution of an Art Form – Twelve Revolutions in Digital Publishing, Creators' Rights, and the Future of Storytelling
    4.8340
    $15.79
  3. Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers
    Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers
    4.82,342
    $15.99
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows.
Buy New
-45% $16.00
FREE delivery Saturday, July 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$16.00 with 45 percent savings
List Price: $28.99 Image
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Saturday, July 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, July 14. Join Prime
In Stock
$$16.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Returns
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
Quick refund
Usually issued within 24 hours. See exceptions
FREE return
At least one free return option available.
Convenient dropoff
At any of our 50,000 US locations.
See return policy
Gift options
Available at checkout
Available at checkout This item is a gift. Change
At checkout, you can add a custom message, a gift receipt for easy returns and have the item gift-wrapped
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$10.77
Used books cannot guarantee unused access codes or working CDs. Used books cannot guarantee unused access codes or working CDs. See less
FREE delivery July 22 - 27. Details
Or fastest delivery Tomorrow, July 14. Order within 3 hrs 13 mins. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$16.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by firstclassbooks.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

  • Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
  • Understanding Comics -- Book Flip-ThroughHarper Collins
  • 4 VIDEOS

Follow the author

Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Scott McCloud
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

by Scott McCloud (Author) Format: Paperback
4.8 out of 5 stars (3,091)
#1 Best Seller in History of Books
Previous page
  1. Image
    Will Eisner Comic Industry AwardsWinner, 1994
Next page
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.00","priceAmount":16.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"U9gWDel831CCT2s6p1brim36dlo%2BU3%2B5vdgKZaTxe%2FR0ZiU4ar9%2B2qrLzLC9D9IsOA%2BAktk3tYEwcjoqvz%2FAnaWHFO1%2FXsyzHzLMylO3sgKlI550a%2BmKME8jC6Nzn2sDFq54SWjJe5Q%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$10.77","priceAmount":10.77,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"10","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"77","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"U9gWDel831CCT2s6p1brim36dlo%2BU3%2B5e45rF%2FoZtgmyOjaHi60h5j7LBC8JaP6QEBMdNadR8dKop3Ua9mENXLeTq4JvJINApJ99swCtzGxEDx9SnpBsjTvG0%2BOft4JHGZLIhdEVgIx6gGoBCyimSXcU3MOMiIhHLDMrow6zryt%2F0Ic51zXcRA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

“Reading Understanding Comics blew my teenage mind, and gave me a toolbox full of ideas that I still use today.” —Raina Telgemeier

The bestselling international classic on storytelling and visual communication.

Praised throughout the cartoon industry by such luminaries as Art Spiegelman, Matt Groening, and Will Eisner, Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics is a seminal examination of comics art: its rich history, surprising technical components, and major cultural significance. Explore the secret world between the panels, through the lines, and within the hidden symbols of a powerful but misunderstood art form.

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    April 27, 1994
  5. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  6. Dimensions
    10.1 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    006097625X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0060976255
Next slide of product details
Read poolside to seaside.Shop kindle Paperwhite. pantry

Frequently bought together

Image
This item: Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
$16.00
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
$19.06
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Reinventing Comics: The Evolution of an Art Form – Twelve Revolutions in Digital Publishing, Creators' Rights, and the Future
$15.79
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Explore more items

Page 1 of 1 Start over
Previous set of slides
  1. Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
    Scott McCloud
     
    Paperback
    $19.06
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
  4. Tongues, Volume 1 (Pantheon Graphic Library)
    Anders Nilsen
     
    Hardcover
    $22.90
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
  5. Framed Perspective Vol. 1: Technical Perspective and Visual Storytelling
    Marcos Mateu-Mestre
     
    Paperback
    $24.99
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
  6. Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2)
    Michel Lauricella
     
    Paperback
    $13.49
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 18
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Next set of slides

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
  8. Book cover Watchmen (2019 Edition)
    Watchmen (2019 Edition)
    Paperback
    $13.52
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  10. Book cover One! Hundred! Demons!
    One! Hundred! Demons!
    Hardcover
    $12.66
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  11. Book cover The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering
    The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering
    Paperback
    $13.34
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  14. Book cover Daytripper
    Daytripper
    Paperback
    $15.64
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  15. Book cover Radical: My Year with a Socialist Senator
    Radical: My Year with a Socialist Senator
    Paperback
    $20.18
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  17. Book cover Making Comics (Lynda Barry's Creativity Series)
    Making Comics (Lynda Barry's Creativity Series)
    Paperback
    $15.14
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  18. Book cover Media Studies: A Reader - 3nd Edition
    Media Studies: A Reader - 3nd Edition
    Paperback
    $48.00
    FREE delivery Sun, Jul 19
  20. Book cover Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice
    Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice
    Paperback
    $15.00
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  21. Book cover Journalism
    Journalism
    Paperback
    $29.40
    Delivery Aug 3 - 6
  22. Book cover Hot Comb
    Hot Comb
    Paperback
    $17.02
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  23. Book cover Asterios Polyp (Pantheon Graphic Library)
    Asterios Polyp (Pantheon Graphic Library)
    Hardcover
    $35.00
    FREE delivery Sat, Jul 18
  26. Book cover Cairo
    Cairo
    Paperback
    $15.95
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
  27. Book cover My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book Two
    My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book Two
    Paperback
    $27.36
    Delivery Sat, Jul 18
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A comic book about comic books. McCloud, in an incredibly accessible style, explains the details of how comics work: how they're composed, read and understood. More than just a book about comics, this gets to the heart of how we deal with visual languages in general. "The potential of comics is limitless and exciting!" writes McCloud. This should be required reading for every school teacher. Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman says, "The most intelligent comics I've seen in a long time."

Review

“Cleverly disguised as an easy-to-read comic book, Scott McCloud’s simple-looking tome deconstructs the secret language of comics while casually revealing secrets of time, space, art and the cosmos! The most intelligent comics I’ve seen in a long time. Bravo.” - Art Spiegelman

“Reading Understanding Comics blew my teenage mind, and gave me a toolbox full of ideas that I still use today.” - Raina Telgemeier

“The best analysis of the medium that I have ever encountered.” - Alan Moore

“McCloud’s masterwork is not just an indispensable treatise on comics, it’s also the best primer around on visual literacy and the mechanics of storytelling. A must-read for anyone interested in narrative of any kind.” - Alison Bechdel

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 27, 1994
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 006097625X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060976255
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #11,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars (3,091)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Scott McCloud

Scott McCloud

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Scott McCloud has been writing, drawing, and examining comics since 1984. Winner of the Eisner and Harvey awards, his works have been translated into more than sixteen languages. Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) called him "just about the smartest guy in comics." He lives with his family in southern California. His online comics and inventions can be found at scottmccloud.com.

Related books

Page 1 of 1Start Over
Sponsored
Previous page
  1. Image
    Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Figure Drawing: A Complete Guide (Art of Drawing)
    Figure Drawing: A Complete Guide (Art of Drawing)
    4.64.6 out of 5 stars256
    $15.79 List:$19.95
  2. Image
    Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    The Hero Bible (Hardcover) - Comic Book Bible 218 stories (Old and New Testament) - Anime Manga with Stunning Illustrations (Recently Updated)
    The Hero Bible (Hardcover) - Comic Book Bible 218 stories (Old and New Testament) - Anime Manga with Stunning Illustrations (Recently Updated)
    4.54.5 out of 5 stars177
    $49.98
  3. Image
    Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Drawing Cartoons Step-by-Step: 200 Lessons for Drawing Cartoons, Comics, and Graphic Novels Like a Pro (Design Originals) Beginner-Friendly Tutorials from Expert Cartoonist Jerry King
    Drawing Cartoons Step-by-Step: 200 Lessons for Drawing Cartoons, Comics, and Graphic Novels Like a Pro (Design Originals) Beginner-Friendly Tutorials from Expert Cartoonist Jerry King
    5.05.0 out of 5 stars11
    $16.52 List:$19.99
  4. Image
    Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Marvel Encyclopedia New Edition
    Marvel Encyclopedia New Edition
    4.84.8 out of 5 stars2,556
    $21.94 List:$45.00
  5. Image
    Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    How to Draw Anime Manga: The Ultimate Beginner's Simple Guide (Includes Characters, Heads, Eyes, Anatomy, and Clothes) (How to draw books for kids)
    How to Draw Anime Manga: The Ultimate Beginner's Simple Guide (Includes Characters, Heads, Eyes, Anatomy, and Clothes) (How to draw books for kids)
    4.74.7 out of 5 stars192
    $17.25
Next page

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
3,091 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this comic book informative and engaging, with well-drawn illustrations and a writing style that uses comic strip format. The book receives positive feedback for its content, with one customer highlighting its comprehensive coverage of why comics work, while others appreciate its usefulness in classes. Customers praise the visual representation, with one noting how it clarifies the dynamics of comics, and they value the craftsmanship, with one review specifically mentioning the reverse-engineering of comics.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

176 customers mention content, 171 positive, 5 negative
Customers praise the book's content, describing it as amazing and brilliant, with one customer highlighting its insightful points about why comics work.
...I bought as a reference for my own ideas and art work. Great book that is extremely well illustrated and gives you a great introduction to...Read more
Excellent book. This really opened my eyes to the history and potential of comics....Read more
Fantastic book! If you want a better understanding of a great way for artwork and cinematography understanding, this is great focus work!Read more
Great, informative, engaging read. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes enjoys learning about art history and theoryRead more
131 customers mention informative, 125 positive, 6 negative
Customers find the book informative and insightful, providing deep explanations and teaching them many things about comics.
Great, informative, engaging read. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes enjoys learning about art history and theoryRead more
the book is incredibly useful, its very informative, its not boring, and it's very easy to inderstand, I highly recomend it to every comic book...Read more
...Overall, a great and informative read. It was hard to put down. Thank you very much, Mr. McCloud.Read more
...Scott McCloud obviously cares deeply about comics and is knowledgeable; but why does he completely neglect to talk about plot? Or characterization?...Read more
118 customers mention readability, 108 positive, 10 negative
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a delight to read and a must-read for comic fans, with one customer noting that it reads like a comic book itself.
...Thus, it is a great read and I recommend it to anyone interested in the genre, but definitely suggest something else for teaching purposes....Read more
This book is an excellent, entertaining, and easy read for anyone interested in art, not just comics....Read more
...a huge amount of insight from the book and am happy that it was an easy read and an easy transition....Read more
...However it's interesting and easy to understand because the writer draw all theories in comic....Read more
36 customers mention illustrations, 35 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the illustrations in the book, noting they are well drawn and serve as fabulous examples of the art form, with one customer highlighting the hundreds of amazing examples provided.
...Theories about representing time, space, story, art, and more, in an approachable and useful style. You owe it to yourself to read this one....Read more
...It's loaded with insights not only about comics, but about art in general, and its sometimes heady concepts are delivered in an ingenious and easy...Read more
...Clever ideas with very clear explanations and drawings. I've read it about 3 times since getting it.Read more
...Great book that is extremely well illustrated and gives you a great introduction to understanding this art medium.Read more
18 customers mention writing style, 17 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, noting that it is well done and written in the style of a comic strip.
Well written book but the author's philosophy on comics rather than any instruction.Read more
...McCloud is a wonderful and witty writer who doesn't try too hard, and delicately evolves straightforward and familiar themes into complex...Read more
This book is very well written and the ideas are clearly explained....Read more
This book is truely amazing. It's writing is well done and it's structure is sound....Read more
15 customers mention usefulness, 14 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book very useful, particularly in classes and for teaching, with one customer noting it's a great resource for anyone interested in sequence art.
...This chapter really validates the fact that comics are interesting and useful, rather than just being treated as a 'fake' art or a 'not really real'...Read more
...Yes, this book is useful, especially for those with a limited understanding of comics. The advice on flow, pacing, etc is invaluable....Read more
...with my order and all of the products have been very useful in my classes this semester. I will continue to buy books from Amazon in the future!Read more
the book is incredibly useful, its very informative, its not boring, and it's very easy to inderstand, I highly recomend it to every comic book...Read more
13 customers mention visual representation, 12 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the visual representation of the book, finding the visuals great to look at and the explanations clear, with one customer noting how the dynamics of comics become much more understandable.
This book is wonderful, the dynamics of comics is much clearer, completely interesting and uniquely complex....Read more
...It's in visual format, so it serves more than just a textual purpose as well....Read more
...This book is a serious, thoughtful, clear, and well-researched essay presented as a comic book.Read more
McCloud offers a straightforward explanation of graphic representation (more helpful than - or in tandem with - Plato's Cave Allegory), as well as a...Read more
12 customers mention craftsmanship, 12 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the craftsmanship of the book, with one noting its physical construction and another highlighting its reverse-engineering approach to comics.
...work of art in its own right and an amazing essay on determination, hard work, craftsmanship and creativity....Read more
...imagery of story telling that is comics, he does do with a mastery of the craft....Read more
...art in general, and its sometimes heady concepts are delivered in an ingenious and easy to grasp way that would only be possible in the medium of...Read more
...breaks down and helps new and old comic readers analyze and appreciate the craft....Read more
Customer reviews require account verification. Sign in