How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema

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[@EngineerLume]

My favourite thing about this book is that it has basically stayed in print from when it was released to now and is possibly one of the most popular drawing books ever released.

[@donndavis2920]

“How to Draw Comics the Fantagraphic Way” is my favorite line from this video

[@DoogieHorner]

They nailed it. I was thinking the same thing.

[@christophernixonart]

I remember finally getting my own copy of this book the same year the Michael Keaton Batman came out. I would copy the pages over and over in my sketchbook, and eventually start making my own comic pages. I learned a lot of basic principles of drawing from it that I still think about today. As simple as this book is, it had a huge influence on me as an artist.

[@OldManMilner]

First, I see homies dropping the comments, but not dropping the likes, don't forget to support the channel! Second, Ed mentions muscles several times in this vid - the best book I found to learn to draw muscles is actually a weight training book called, "Strength Training Anatomy" by Delavier. It's an amazing resource for learning where muscles insert into the bones, and how they overlap. Furthermore, you see examples of muscles in flexion and relaxation. For muscles, its better than any artist anatomy book I've ever read (and I've read many).

[@demetriusdillard2863]

Undoubtedly one of the greatest how-to-draw-and-how-not-to-draw art books ever published, bar none! Even though it was published way back in 1978, many of the techniques utilized in How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way still hold up to this very day! And it's remained in print continuously for over four decades!

[@oliverlee4033]

My dad bought this in 1978 when it first came out and then again twenty years later when he taught me to draw. It’s really quite magical to me somehow.

[@andrewt6338]

I bought this around 30 years ago and still reference it for guidance. It’s literally sitting on my dresser right now. The art techniques are interesting, no doubt, but the part that got my attention was the drama. I think Stan said something like “a Marvel character doesn’t simply walk into a room.” It’s gotta be dynamic. Everything has to be crazy.

[@BeOurBee]

This is still, hands-down my favorite HTD comics book. I think it's particularly good as a counterpoint to the manga-oriented HTDs out today because it focuses so much on dynamic, fluid construction. However, looking back on it after more than 30 years, some of the shortcomings are obvious and I think you guys touch on a lot of it. 1) No basic guide to muscle groups/forms, the kind of thing a beginning artist has no idea how to handle. Even though it spends time going over proportions, it says nothing about how bodies are built out of actual fleshy masses. You can pick up some of that stuff if you read between the lines and scrutinize their different examples of stick figures and finished pencils but it's never organized and explicated. 2) When it talks about composition, it should call out the elements in those abstracted examples. Even labeling the basic shapes as "foreground" or "midground" would do a lot to help explain what I'm looking at and where I would start building something like that in a panel or do my own formulas. No mention of "framing" or "triangular composition" or how an eye is guided from spot to spot in a panel. It's almost completely absent from that part of the book, a GLARING omission. As written, it's almost inscrutable. As a kid I looked at those and thought "Okay, but WHY those shapes?" It never clicked. Although they seem to market this to kids and have some very basic elements explained in the first few chapters, it actually assumes a lot of familiarity with the essentials. The middle half is more like an unofficial style guide for 70s/80s Marvel Comics than a from-the-ground-up guide for getting started in drawing.

[@GeoffreyToday]

This book was huge for me when I was a kid. It lead to my first true "Eureka!" moment as an artist. After trying to learn how to draw properly proportioned figures through this book, I remained frustrated. My drawings were okay, and certainly better than they had been before I got the book, but something still wasn't working. Then, in a high school art class, for the first time we had a live model (non-nude obviously) and suddenly all of the figure drawing instructions clicked. It was like having a blindfold removed. I don't think that would have happened if I hadn't spent so long practicing the techniques in the book before my first life drawing experience. To this day, whenever any of the kids in my life who are into art reach a certain age, I always gift them this book.

[@soulcraft_84]

One of my favorite books, and one of the best gifts I ever was given!

[@Danny_Hynes]

I still remember the feeling of finding this book and reading through and drawing along for the first time and you've bottled it here. Loved hearing your reactions to each page and so glad you both still have access to those initial reactions ("You want me to draw a book?!"). I was right there with you on every word for this one. Classic kayfabe. Thanks for this.

[@KManifesto]

Thanks for the trip through Memory Lane (I actually followed along with my copy). As a kid, I couldn't get enough of this book. I must have bought at least 3 copies over the years. I'm with Ed, that tire sketch was always a challenge!

[@28mmRPG]

Back in the 80's this was my first book that kickstarted my love of making superhero drawings... Along with Villains & Vigilantes Roleplaying game (with Jeff Dee's art). GREAT book, it taught me a lot. I wish I kept up with my drawing style but I made more money at flooring/tilesetting as a career.

[@Rometiklan]

There's a certain reverence for this book within the comic artist community, and for good reason. When I started drawing comics as a wee lad, this was the book I've always wanted to buy. I'd sign it out from the library and photocopy the whole book. It wasn't until high school I was finally able to buy a copy and paid full price for it which was $14 Canadian. It goes for $22 Canadian these days on Amazon. Thanks for the great trip down memory lane.

[@BilSande4]

Ahh yes them memories. I got the hard copy of this book for my 15th birthday and I still have it 40 years later. (Sans dust jacket). Not only a great book on how to draw comics, but a great book on how to draw period. John Buscema was true master draftsman. (And is brother Sal ain't half bad either).

[@neilsanzari9723]

Aside from Jack Kirby, John Buscema was my favorite artist at the time until Moebius came on the scene. I was collecting Conan and the FF, and I think he was also doing Thor at the same time. Three books a month, two of them inked by Joe Sinnott, and Conan was inked by Ernie Chan. Might have been for a short period, because Rich Buckler, then John Byrne took over chores for the FF.

[@mattprather3140]

I recently bought a copy of this gem in a Five Below. Had a battered copy from childhood and was very excited about getting a new copy. Just cracked the new one open to thumb through with you guys. Thanks guys. So much fun.

[@MezTZO]

My brother used to have the hardcover version of this when we were young, and I read it all the time. Then a friend of his borrowed it and never returned it. Many years later, when I got a job and had money of my own, I found this version and bought it for myself.

[@the_artistic_avenger]

Great review! I couldn't agree more - "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" is a fantastic resource for anyone starting their artistic journey. I totally understand the initial temptation to jump in and draw everything at once, leading to frustration. That's why I created a couple of videos to help break down the tutorials and make them more manageable. Thanks for the awesome review!

[@skullhammerofficial8767]

Still have my hardcover my dad got me when this first came out then got the VHS in the 80's. The bible for young cartoonists. Great video!

[@danielmobley4638]

Got this book at age 13 (1995) and thought I’d found El Dorado, lol. Really helped me understand the challenges and nuanced complexities of comic creation, though, and especially gave me a foundation for figure construction, gesture poses, etc.👍💥💥💥

[@jabbajuju]

Octobriana at Target??? That's crazy!

[@jinchoung]

i borrowed it from the public library and renewed as much as i could. i think i didn't actually buy my own copy until after college. absolutely seminal.

[@theartofSkinner]

The video for this. The vhs of how to draw comics the Marvel way is hilarious cuz John buscema is kinda grumpy.

[@frdh1357]

Yeah, he rolls his eyes at Stan's jokes and attempts at taking credit. And I don't think it was supposed to get caught on camera.

[@kullenberg]

That video is the biggest dick tease ever. You expect to see Buscema draw, but it's virtually none of that in the video. He literally just air traces with the pencil over the already finished drawings. I know there's other footage of him drawing, but it's such a shame. Recording his real process in detail would have been immensely valuable.

[@erichall1]

The villain heads page was my favorite. Drew the heck out of that page back in the day.

[@soundwave1976]

Love it! One of my favorite books!

[@pavpyro433]

This is bringing back nostalgia. I got this book when I was 9 and still use these techniques.

[@fad23]

Classic! Can't wait to watch this!

[@stampscapes]

Very cool. Still have my copy from '79 or so. Used to study it as a kid all the time.

[@1daniel66]

Found your channel recently and am enjoying your content. I remember asking for this book for Christmas and getting it. How I poured through it! Still have it to this day. Thanks for the nostalgia and keep up the good work!

[@DoogieHorner]

Jim, Wolverine 10 was my first comic too! I was also blown away and reread it many, many times.

[@killiandw]

This book taught me to draw

[@neilsanzari9723]

I remember getting this book for Christmas 🎄 when it first came out.

[@russworks2882]

I can just see Robert Crumb picking this book up and having an epiphany. "It's so clear to me now! I've been wrong all along!" A good follow up to this video would be the Comics Journal #226, the "Hacking" issue, which does have a transcription of Buscema giving a lecture on how to take short cuts and crank out comics like a factory worker, as well as an argument between Gil Kane and Groth about what it means to be a hack.

[@frdh1357]

Looking forward to this. Just started drawing 90 days ago and Im using this book. I still struggling with that lamp!

[@alphageekspeaks9248]

Anyone else wish they could get a sneak peek at that Red Room comic? 😂 Awesome stuff guys! And Ed, please post some more inking videos of Red Room.🙏

[@landowalker5479]

you can see all of that stuff over on Ed's patreon!

[@sandstonecomics]

Excellent break down! Another book you may consider is The Marvel Try-Out Book. Would love to hear your analysis on that.

[@DigitalOdyssey3001]

As a child I loved comics, loved drawing and loved Marvel but was super frustrated by this book . It drove me crazy. They were so good and they made it sound so easy. But you guys are right - I just wanted to draw cool people doing cool poses. lol

[@makoseda]

Those DIY red room books look dope!

[@LsElite4210]

I was like the only kid to never have this book cuz I new I couldn’t draw lol 😂

[@SpyridonTheWonderWkr]

LsElite 4210 Anyone can draw. Just practice. It’s never too late. :)

[@Paul-ki8dg]

I have the original How to draw the Marvel Way with Stan Lee and John Buscema on VHS tape and yes Stan Lee talks and Buscema draws. I'll watch that. Thanks, nice page turn basics that lead to success

[@carlosvazquez12]

I had this book wen I was 12. It brough me a lot of memories!

[@JaybayJay]

Stan dropped a whole bunch of How To Art Books in the past if I remember correctly. How to draw scenes. How to draw the eye and add depth, things like that.

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

This book was a huge influence for me. I think I got it when it was first published back in 1978 for my 15th birthday. I still have it somewhere.

[@brantkim]

Had this book growing up as a kid and it was surprisingly helpful, even though some of the concepts as a 10 year old were a bit difficult.

[@loringbush3319]

Everything in this amsome and amazing book i learned in art school.

[@bobfitzpatrick8952]

Ha! I got my copy of this book in 1979 on the advisement of my teacher, and I still have it at my work desk all these years later.

[@Lars1284]

I. LOVE. YOU. TWO. Also, I definetely had Burne Hogarth's "Inventing muscles" XD

[@ailenrivera862]

My personal nick name for Buscema is "The Way"

[@matchezmalone]

Where are we going without ever knowing The Way?

[@natesgeeklounge]

I had this. :)

[@mrmegahousefly]

I had one issue of a partwork of drawing Marvel comics. I gave it to a friend for her grandson. She thought it was too advanced for him, "He is only eight," but he loved it, and that issue was not about drawing Spider-Man or Captain America. I think the issue showed him how to draw Kung-Fu. He knew kung-fu but he had not heard of Kung-Fu. As she was an artist, she had all the stuff recommended in the book and they could work together.

[@JLRoberson]

I'd love to see you guys go through David Chelsea's perspective book.

[@bobfisher1992]

Alot of memories from childhood.

[@neilsanzari9723]

Just received Octobriana in the mail! What a beautiful book! It’s way more than a comic. I love the fluorescent color scheme, and Octobriana herself is fascinating. I’d love to see more of her in action. She’s pure manifestation of the heart of the Soviet counterculture. I’d love to see how she fits in today. Are her and Putin getting along these days even though he infiltrated this counterculture as Kid KGB, and had all of them kids sent to the Gulag Archipelago? Is she Melania’s ageless long-lost mother? So many questions, haha. And that Red Room kicks ass as well. Love the bootleg copies. Both properties have great compositions going on inside of their pages. Damn you guys are good. You will not be outworked. Kudos. Peace ✌️

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Buscema Book= The Great and Powerful Guide to the Wizards of Marvel who bestowed their knownledge of fellow Masters to us lowely mortals!

[@fad23]

I really liked David Chelsea's book on Comic Book Perspective!

[@scarlet8078]

Lol this was a book that kids tried to steal from our Barnes & Noble. It stayed in print for a long time & was relatively expensive. If you got caught, you could always pretend that you 'accidentally' put it in your bag with your school books 😂

[@bobdole27]

Personally i think a lot of inkers and pencilers at Marvel today need read this how to and apply the knowledge

[@timothymarkin3421]

Got the hardcover for Christmas of 1978, a second printing. The dust jacket has a few rips (and imprints from all the drawing I did, using it as a board), but it’s still on my shelf, along with 90% of the Fireside books Marvel published back then.

[@timothymarkin3421]

Fireside was an imprint of Simon & Schuster btw

[@patriciooliver]

My mother game me this book in the 90s as a present and I was so so so frustrated with it, I was in the middle of the Jim Lee liefeld moment and this illustrations seem so difficult to reproduce. Which is funny cause I started reading comics in the 80s and my fav artists were Paul Smith Sal Buscema and Byrne so the style wasn’t a problem but it was away out of my league. Thanks for posting this! Cheers form Argentina 🇦🇷

[@barkovision1048]

Great book! Keep it next to my desk along with Jack Hamm Cartooning the Head and Figure and Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth

[@JesseMoynihan]

Life changing book

[@adrianstroh3557]

Had this when when I was a kid. I still sucked at drawing. Theres an art to drawing! 😎

[@marcgeorgestewart42]

Got a copy of that book for Christmas 5 years ago

[@ishrivera7214]

Mom Jeans !!!! Lmfao

[@brianacebedo2636]

Fireside, the publisher of this book, as well as "Bring on the Bad Guys" and a few others that Jim mentions was my first entry into comics. There was no such thing as trade paperbacks in those days, Marvel was publishing monthly comics, and that's it. To get reprints of the old stuff, we had to get mass market paperbacks like the ones Fireside put out. My mom bought me the Fireside Hulk book, because it was the 70s, and I would not shut the fuck up about the Lou Ferrigno show on TV. A lifetime of being a comic book degenerate followed.

[@ChuloAA]

Huh it's interesting I picked up an even later reprint of this and it omits a good chunk of the end

[@madeinbrechin]

I’ve got a copy of How to Draw Comics The Marvel Way signed by Stan Lee.

[@zipgun7132]

I'd love to see what you dudes think of Framed Ink.

[@the_flushjackson]

Definitely picking up Octobriana 1976, missed the Kickstarter by a week. Patron of Red Room, well worth it - amazing stuff. FJ

[@briangressett902]

I use to have this book and the video tape.

[@MrGrouch86]

I got this book at the book fair in school. It's probably still at my parents house.

[@roygbiv7370]

I bought this book at 5 below the other day

[@Ayanami0001]

I used to pull this out in elementary school and try to fool kids into thinking I was drawing the Buscema sketches inside

[@evening8990]

such an important book for me, still cant draw for shit but I love those breakdown sketches

[@abcbcd7974]

Same here, but man this is 80's nostalgia bomb for me.

[@Therealmrmeow]

Don't know when I got this but pretty sure it was a present from my folks.

[@fad23]

When you pointed out the illustration of the artist at the drawing board, I'm not sure why I thought of the illustrations in The Joy of Sex. There's something about there way it looks like pencils I think, and pretty appropriate for the period it was first published.

[@mattbraun5125]

This book was huge for me but Rich Buckler's "How to Become a Comic Book Artist" was, in my 12 year old brain, even better

[@MrKago1]

lo, yeah. my copy fell apart too. I think I still have pieces of it in page protectors some where around here. I would just point out that the technique of drawing the skeletal frame first is the same technique taught in art schools when you are doing fine art. the only thing I would say they should've added to this is the concept of contrapossto.

[@cyrusgraham292]

i USED TO HAVE THAT BOOK

[@neilsanzari9723]

You guys are so lucky. When I was a teenager in the seventies, other kids would attack me in the streets for reading comics. Got into plenty of fistfights over that bs until I kicked a few of their butts, haha. Comics saved my life when my folks broke up. Talk about escapist fiction.

[@riverfoux]

Wow

[@dannycruz5446]

That spiderman/surfer page is a pastiche of a couple of pages from silver surfer #14

[@victorsixtythree]

Man, I spent so much time looking through that book when I was a kid. And I remember - page 68 (at 29:16) always looked like they printed it upside down to me. Am I wrong?

[@davedogge2280]

This is a classic book, the D.C. equivalent one is not bad either.

[@derrickthompson4146]

A favor, please check out "Rebels of the Realm" by E.Sterling Brown. Would love to see this as a graphic novel.

[@thiagovieira800]

"How to draw comics the fantagraphics way" LMAO

[@andrewgraham6339]

...but I want to draw comics the “Brian Bolland” way.

[@WarTheory]

Nice I still got “how to drama the marvel way”

[@jamestrickingtonIII]

I got this book when I was 12, skipped right to the chapter about drawing figures and ended up quitting art for 4 years because I was so frustrated my stick figures didn't look as good as the ones in the book.

[@aderemiporsche]

The irony of watching this video while paging through a Squirrel Girl comic.

[@markmayerson]

Has anyone ever noticed that page 68 is upside down? It's been like that since the book was first published and nobody ever corrected it.

[@jasonfate8026]

We have a copy in our after school program

[@loringbush3319]

I just realized that Marvel redid the book written and drawn by Dan Jurgens

[@hyperyami396]

I still don't understand why they didn't release several volumes of this type of book. If you look at comics and manga in modern times, there are so many talented artists, however the How to Draw books you find at your local bookstore are terrible. Drawing has several key principles that must be mastered in order for you to level up. Topics like Proportion, Form, Construction, Perspective, Anatomy, Gesture, Values, Color Theory, and Lighting should be explored in their own books, however you have these artists that cram everything into a single book and laugh all the way to the bank. Where's the 500-page How to Draw Comics and Manga books? How useful would it be to have ten volumes of those like an encyclopedia set for under $200? It takes time and dedication to provide example after example, with high quality illustrations to demonstrate accordingly. There are probably so many secrets and tips into making comics, but must remember that the people you empower today, might be coming to take your job away tomorrow. I know some professionals don't want to admit it, but it's true. Not every kid has the money to go to Calarts, SCAD or some overpriced art school. The same rules can be applied to free art tutorials online on KZbin and art courses you find online. Making 10-20 minute videos on how to draw an arm, leg, head, and body is beyond unacceptable and infuriating. Come check out my 2 hour course on How to Anatomy for only $39.99! It's all about how to make that quick buck for some of these guys. People that post videos on how to draw something and then they spent 10 minutes drawing their original character, so lazy. You also have to remember that professional artists talk about the point where an artist either wants to become a teacher or work in the industry, so this is why you have people that are talented illustrators, but suck at teaching and the great teachers, suck at drawing. I don't know if its a lack of passion and time for artists when creating these books that go over basic and advanced topics in such a short amount of time, or is it that their main objective is to make money. I understand you have to put food on the table, but when do we re-invent and improve the How to Draw book market. I know their are some very good instructional books at there, but they could be better. Learning styles differ, some people can pick up on concepts quickly with little help, while other need that extra attention.

[@HowdyAleck.]

The fuck aaagh this IS gonna be a long night ain't it?

[@awwn5934]

For more great pencil work maybe check out Geoff Darrow’s art book www.darkhorse.com/Books/27-573/Lead-Poisoning-The-Pencil-Art-of-Geof-Darrow-HC

[@allluckyseven]

Laughed out loud at the "How to draw comics the EXTREME way." No lessons on how to draw feet in that!

[@denzilredden5096]

Starting the day off right

[@kullenberg]

Sometimes I wonder if the current generation of Marvel artists even know about this book.

[@cjansenATL]

I believe George Bridgman taught Norman Rockwell. I thought his books were amazing.