Draw Fight Scenes Like a Pro

by Jeff Johnson

• Based on actual martial-arts techniques


• Great for comic-book and storyboard
artists at any level


The all-important fight scene is key to most comic books and graphic novels, whether the fight involves a superhero smashing his archenemy or some poor sap getting mugged on the street. But many artists are…well, let’s just say they're more lovers than fighters. Fortunately, Jeff Johnson, a martial-arts expert and renowned artist, is ready to show even the puniest weaklings how to draw real fights. Step-by-step instructions start with an explanation of different body types. Then the author applies these basics to actual martial arts and other fighting techniques, including karate, kung fu, aikido, fencing, street fighting, and more, while explaining how to choreograph. Extra information on composition, environment, pacing, and special effects makes this the book all artists will want on their side.

Genres: Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jeffrey “Jeff” Johnson is an American comic book artist. He is best known for his work with writer Gerard Jones on Marvel Comics’ Wonder Man and Malibu Comics’ Solitaire and with writer Chuck Dixon on Crossgen’s Way of the Rat though he has also pencilled many other titles in his long career in comics, including The Amazing Spider-Man, Green Lantern, and Weapon X.

He was about to begin a collaboration with Ron Marz on The Dragon Prince but he was hired by an animation studio. He has since worked on such cartoons as Boondocks (TV series), Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series), Brave and the Bold (cartoon), Young Justice (TV series) and Transformers: Prime. His book Draw Fight Scenes Like a Pro was published by Watson-Guptill in 2006.