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How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
Written by the iconic Stan Lee, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way is a must-have book for Marvel fans and anyone looking to draw their first comic strip.
Stan Lee, the Mighty Man from Marvel, and John Buscema, active and adventuresome artist behind the Silver Surfer, Conan the Barbarian, the Mighty Thor and Spider-Man, have collaborated on this comics an encyclopedia of information for creating your own superhero comic strips. Using artwork from Marvel comics as primary examples, Buscema graphically illustrates the hitherto mysterious methods of comic art. Stan Lee’s pithy prose gives able assistance and advice to the apprentice artist. Bursting with Buscema’s magnificent illustrations and Lee’s laudable word-magic, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way belongs in the library of everyone who has ever wanted to illustrate his or her own comic strip.
Stan Lee, the Mighty Man from Marvel, and John Buscema, active and adventuresome artist behind the Silver Surfer, Conan the Barbarian, the Mighty Thor and Spider-Man, have collaborated on this comics an encyclopedia of information for creating your own superhero comic strips. Using artwork from Marvel comics as primary examples, Buscema graphically illustrates the hitherto mysterious methods of comic art. Stan Lee’s pithy prose gives able assistance and advice to the apprentice artist. Bursting with Buscema’s magnificent illustrations and Lee’s laudable word-magic, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way belongs in the library of everyone who has ever wanted to illustrate his or her own comic strip.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1977
136 people are currently reading
5275 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,562 books2,343 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
September 24, 2012
If you are looking for a book that will show you how to draw The Mighty Thor, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, or even Captain America's Shield... well, this book isn't that one.
It's not a step by step guide on how to draw characters. It's a step by step guide on how to draw THE MARVEL WAY!!
And what does that mean?
Well, I thought it was going to show me how to draw Spidey and Shellhead, and Cap.
But no... IT shows you how to ink, draw action, start with stick figures, where to position, and what draws attention. It shows you what artists at Marvel strive to do to make their comic books and panels stand out for the enjoyment of the reader.
A very interesting book that I think would be awesome for any kid 13+, it shows you what you need to do to improve at your craft.
While, I'm not an artist, it was super fun to go through and see all the techniques. I even drew a stick figure or two.
Lately, my son and I have been bonding over superheros and while I don't have the attention-span to draw the Marvel Way.... I know there are boys and girls out there that will eat this book up.
A great manual for the artists of tomorrow.
Excelsior!!
above is the completed picture that my son and I were working on. He drew the majority while I helped with the mouths and hands. We colored and inked together. If you want to bond with your teen, pick up some packing paper and a comic book! Worked wonders for us :)
It's not a step by step guide on how to draw characters. It's a step by step guide on how to draw THE MARVEL WAY!!
And what does that mean?
Well, I thought it was going to show me how to draw Spidey and Shellhead, and Cap.
But no... IT shows you how to ink, draw action, start with stick figures, where to position, and what draws attention. It shows you what artists at Marvel strive to do to make their comic books and panels stand out for the enjoyment of the reader.
A very interesting book that I think would be awesome for any kid 13+, it shows you what you need to do to improve at your craft.
While, I'm not an artist, it was super fun to go through and see all the techniques. I even drew a stick figure or two.
Lately, my son and I have been bonding over superheros and while I don't have the attention-span to draw the Marvel Way.... I know there are boys and girls out there that will eat this book up.
A great manual for the artists of tomorrow.
Excelsior!!
above is the completed picture that my son and I were working on. He drew the majority while I helped with the mouths and hands. We colored and inked together. If you want to bond with your teen, pick up some packing paper and a comic book! Worked wonders for us :)
April 8, 2009
This is a very good little figure drawing book. I teach art in high school and have had all sorts of students buy it after seeing it in my class, but it would be appropriate for kids from late elementary up. I keep several copies of it out on TAKS testing days and kids with little to no drawing experience will happily follow the step by step to draw Spidey, but is is not just a step to step book. There is real, accurate, and practical advice about how to master the figure for more serious beginners.
My first figure drawing prof in college recommended this book to college level beginners. I have not found a better $13 figure drawing book - though it used to be $7. Most libraries have it and I can usually find a few copies at the used book store. Written for beginners where some of the later marvel drawing books assume you know a good deal. Much more content than most of the manga drawing books.
My first figure drawing prof in college recommended this book to college level beginners. I have not found a better $13 figure drawing book - though it used to be $7. Most libraries have it and I can usually find a few copies at the used book store. Written for beginners where some of the later marvel drawing books assume you know a good deal. Much more content than most of the manga drawing books.
September 18, 2013
Classic instruction which started many artists on that long path (I bought a used copy, myself, as a child). Combine with a little Loomis, Hogarth, and some figure drawing and you are on your way to being a real talent.
This is pretty much an introduction to the Marvel 'house style' at the time, but certainly still applicable.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
This is pretty much an introduction to the Marvel 'house style' at the time, but certainly still applicable.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
June 5, 2024
a decent drawing book, especially for people new to comics or drawing. i got the impression that you're supposed to learn a step (i.e. inking or perspective) then come back to the book and learn about the next step. i think it would pair great with a Loomis method book. their composition tips are AWFUL though, look up a youtube tutorial instead (proko has good stuff)
January 12, 2012
When I was young, every little boy I knew wanted to draw comics (these days many little girls do too, and that’s awesome) but I had a serious advantage over all of them.
I was the only kid on my block with a copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
It is nearly impossible to write a book that touches upon all the essential aspects of a given art field in any relevant way. Yet, somehow Stan Lee brings us just that. It doesn’t stop with proper tools, formulas, and methods. It even approaches professionalism and best practices. All of this without going over your head, or talking down to the audience.
The coolest thing about HTDCTMW is It’s really a book about visual story telling that happens to use the comic book idiom. Pacing, mood, dynamism, framing, composition, it’s all there along with a glossary of industry terms, list of materials and constructive anatomy methods, that are still as relevant today as they were in 1977.
If you have children or young relatives who show the spark of talent for the entertainment art fields of story boarding, concept art/design, or sequential art of any kind, this is the book for them. If you want to pick up a book of sound advice and technique basics, over and over again and just be reminded of how fun illustration really is, this book is for you.
Notes: With regard to anatomy; this book only deals with idealized figure construction, but that’s fine because it was intended for a young audience that might find life drawing techniques both confining and tedious. It is just a primer, after all. HTDCTMW is not perfect, but it is perfect at what it does.
I was the only kid on my block with a copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
It is nearly impossible to write a book that touches upon all the essential aspects of a given art field in any relevant way. Yet, somehow Stan Lee brings us just that. It doesn’t stop with proper tools, formulas, and methods. It even approaches professionalism and best practices. All of this without going over your head, or talking down to the audience.
The coolest thing about HTDCTMW is It’s really a book about visual story telling that happens to use the comic book idiom. Pacing, mood, dynamism, framing, composition, it’s all there along with a glossary of industry terms, list of materials and constructive anatomy methods, that are still as relevant today as they were in 1977.
If you have children or young relatives who show the spark of talent for the entertainment art fields of story boarding, concept art/design, or sequential art of any kind, this is the book for them. If you want to pick up a book of sound advice and technique basics, over and over again and just be reminded of how fun illustration really is, this book is for you.
Notes: With regard to anatomy; this book only deals with idealized figure construction, but that’s fine because it was intended for a young audience that might find life drawing techniques both confining and tedious. It is just a primer, after all. HTDCTMW is not perfect, but it is perfect at what it does.
Read
April 21, 2020Was kinda surprised to bump into this book on GR while adding comics. I remember reading this, or rather looking through it when I was a little kid. Almost eight years ago. The thing is, I was a creative bastard back then. I used to draw stuff, build stuff, do stuff. I had tons of weird hobbies that I really really miss now. A lonely awkward kid living in a world of his own imagination. Life used to be good. God, I wanna relive those days.
This book brought back memories of those days. Reminded me that I actually used to draw. I do remember loving this book. I even created a couple of my own comic strips. Might have been pathetic, but the fact the I created them cheers me up. I should have the superheros I tried drawing lying somewhere around at home. So here's a generous five stars, if only for the nostalgic feels.
This book brought back memories of those days. Reminded me that I actually used to draw. I do remember loving this book. I even created a couple of my own comic strips. Might have been pathetic, but the fact the I created them cheers me up. I should have the superheros I tried drawing lying somewhere around at home. So here's a generous five stars, if only for the nostalgic feels.
August 21, 2008
uhhhh.... no, Marvel artists study ANATOMY before making it up with bubbles on sticks. copying other artists' renderings is a vital part of learning to draw, but that alone will not get you working for Marvel and is not how to draw "the Marvel way"
August 17, 2022
Obviously, this isn't a lecture as well, more like a practicing-tip guide for the comicbook artist to develop and improve the talent, getting the way that Marvel does it's work (at least, in the golden years) and it's narrated by Stan Lee himself. It doesn't get any better than that.
February 12, 2008
I wanted to be an artist as a kid, and I have folder after folder of my haphazardly drawn monsters and spaceships and superheroes. This book was my ultimate reference work, and I carried the old blue hardback (the cover had been lost early on) around with me everywhere. While I never attained my goal of comic artistry, I still have a copy (now paperback) of the book on my shelf. It's a nice resource for anyone interested in comics, whether you can draw like John Romita ... or if stick figures are your cup of tea.
August 1, 2016
For good or ill, this book taught me how to draw figures. Over the years I kept going back to it and trying again, getting farther and gaining confidence. We'll see if it ever culminates in an actual printed comic of my own :) I'm sure it will, even if I'm 80 years old, sitting on the back porch, still holding onto the dream.
November 13, 2018
Excellent instruction by the master.
R.I.P., Stan :-(
R.I.P., Stan :-(
June 14, 2020
Pensei que fosse encontrar neste livro alguns dos fatos e maneiras de fazer quadrinhos que fizessem dos gibis da Marvel no começo da editora terem aquelas características marcantes da Casa das Ideias. No fim das contas achei e não achei. Ou seja, encontrei algumas notas que corroboram aquilo que já sabia: o estilo dinâmico, os corpos que se dobram para caber no quadro, os super-heróis maiores do que seres humanos comum, mas nada mais surpreendente do que isso. Claro, isso porque desde o final dos anos 1960, em que esse livro foi publicado pela primeiríssima vez nos Estados Unidos, muitos outros álbuns sobre aprender a desenhar quadrinhos e muitos deles beberam na fonte de Como desenhar quadrinhos no estilo Marvel, assim sendo, as novidades minguam. Como desenhar quadrinhos no estilo Marvel serve, então, como um documento histórico, uma forma de ver como os quadrinhos eram produzidos na Era de Ouro da Casa das Ideias. O tocante é que essa forma de desenhar quadrinhos começou com o Rei, Jack Kirby, e o senhorzinho fumarento não é citado em nenhum momento deste livro. Shame on you, Stan! Shame on you!
April 16, 2023
Pomocne 🙂
July 6, 2012
As long as I can recall, I always loved art. As a child and teenager my favorite art was the comic book. I devoured them! As I could draw a little I thought becoming a comic book arist would be the greatest. I picked up this volume and found it to be a pretty good book on a lot of drawing essentials. It really taught me a lot about figure drawing in particular. Sure some of the prose is bombastic in typical Stan Lee style, but the lessons in the book are clear, concise, and important principles.
Eventually my style changed and I moved away from comic book art. However you can still see the influence of comic books and this guide in my work today. I still believe that artists working in comics are some of the finest around: the imagination needed to fill panel after panel, the sheer volume of the work they must produce, and the ability to tale a compelling story through drawing alone. All that makes me rank them with the best!
Eventually my style changed and I moved away from comic book art. However you can still see the influence of comic books and this guide in my work today. I still believe that artists working in comics are some of the finest around: the imagination needed to fill panel after panel, the sheer volume of the work they must produce, and the ability to tale a compelling story through drawing alone. All that makes me rank them with the best!
February 22, 2009
I loved and devoured this book when I was a kid (in the original edition). Alas, my drawing skills never quite developed and I put more energy into the stories than into the drawings. Still, it was a step on the path to making me an author, and I still think Buscema was one of the strongest draftsmen Marvel ever had.
October 16, 2021
This book is over 40 years old and it is still relevant today. I first came across this book when I was twelve years old and it shaped me as an artist for the rest of my life. Don't let the name fool you. This book contains foundational information for anyone who wants to improve their art wether its comic books, illustration, or fine art.
February 19, 2009
This got me drawing again for the first time since primary school, mainly by pointing out a few basic things I'd somehow never known - for one thing that drawings are things you can build, rather than just putting pencil to paper and creating masterpieces on the spot.
April 16, 2011
When I was in seventh grade, I studied this book from cover to cover and improved my drawing and visual storytelling skills dramatically. It was great then and remains so- John Buscema was an absolutely brilliant comics artist.
January 27, 2012
This book is great for those that want to learn more about creating comics. All of the techniques are presented in a straight forward manner and is easy to understand for those, like myself, who are not artistically inclined.
May 18, 2012
Easily the best How to Draw book I've read. Lays everything out in an easy to digest manner... And back in the 90s when I read it, you really could see the difference with the Marvel style (not so much now though)
February 19, 2019
It is a great read for graphic comic artists that prefer the old-school techniques of paper, penciling, and inking by hand. It is co-written by one of the greatest comic book writers and editors of all time.
February 19, 2009
It was 25 years out of date when I got it. Still, if you want to draw in the Marvel house style of the late 60's and early 70's, it would probably be a valuable resource.
May 13, 2018
All you'll ever need as an artist. Basically my bible.
July 22, 2020
introductory, of course. skimmed. the bits on drawing women are gross.
im not a marvel fan, just wanted to flip through this bc its on my recommended reading
im not a marvel fan, just wanted to flip through this bc its on my recommended reading
June 9, 2020
This is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn figure drawing or has aspirations in any field of art
June 6, 2021
Arguably the most valuable resource for the basics of comic book art. I've read this countless times over the years and I'm still learning from it. Can't recommend any higher.
December 23, 2025
If you are getting into drawing. I'll highly recommend this read.
February 20, 2022
I read this book as a tween. It's quite helpful and inspiring.
July 24, 2022
The book is okay. I think it's clearly outdated, because it was written in the 70's, so it's probably targeted to children and teens who wanted to start drawing comics JUST like the Marvel ones, that's alright; it could be helpful if you're a beginner and are looking for tips and a little bit of theory to start. Anyways, it's definitely not a good idea to take this book as a guide for real anatomy, in the chapter about human heads and faces the proportions are based only on what at the times was considered great looking, I was specially shocked with the part about portraying female faces, the author emphasizes that it's esential to keep the exact proportions declared there, because if not he female wouldn't be beautiful... (!!!) obviously the proportions were for drawing white girls with an upturned, thin nose. It literally tells you not to draw different looking eyebrows, or noses with bumps or large nostrils. Like.. what?
Anyways, this is a good book if you're a beginner who is looking for a guide with the basics to start drawing... or if you're someone who wants to copy Marvel comics and draw nothing else than Marvel white characters who look all the same.
In short, I would advice this book to beginners (not sure about absolute beginners though), people who want to learn the basics of persepctive, those who want to add a little bit of more dynamism to their figures, to learn composition (this part was actually quite helpful) and to learn the basics of anatomy distribution; I would never recommend it to someone who wants to learn anatomy itself, or good character design theory.
Anyways, this is a good book if you're a beginner who is looking for a guide with the basics to start drawing... or if you're someone who wants to copy Marvel comics and draw nothing else than Marvel white characters who look all the same.
In short, I would advice this book to beginners (not sure about absolute beginners though), people who want to learn the basics of persepctive, those who want to add a little bit of more dynamism to their figures, to learn composition (this part was actually quite helpful) and to learn the basics of anatomy distribution; I would never recommend it to someone who wants to learn anatomy itself, or good character design theory.
September 27, 2024
How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, John Buscema y Stan Lee, calificación 3.5/5 estrellas.
No lo he puesto en práctica lo leído de este manual, no quiero gastar material, tiempo y yo soy ya viejo pero en mis veintes años hice un fan comic, pero me hubiera gustado dibujar desde los 15 años bastante bien, para hacer fancomics para mi entretenimiento y si fueran buenos compartirlos.
Solo son fantasías pero si aun me sobrara tiempo y aprendiera a dibujar o con la tecnología de inteligencia artificial que convierta los textos en arte, haría bocetos, fanart, comics de los siguientes guiones o borradores qué he leído.
Twilight of the Superheroes de Alan Moore, su propuesta detalladas ya publicadas por DC.
JLA/Avengers trama de Gerry Conway de 1983.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. El Screenplay por Wes Craven y Bruce Wagner.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 6. Draft por Rachel Talalay y Michael Almereyda.
Nightmare 13: Freddy Meets Jason, un Draft.
"ALIEN III": por WILLIAM GIBSON, un Draft.
ALIEN III screenplay por D. T. Twohy.
The Hunt: Alien vs. Predator, un draft.
Labyrinth draft de Laura Phillips y Terry Jones.
RoboCop II: The Corporate Wars, script de Edward Neumeier.
Alien III. Screenplay de John Fasano y Vincent Ward.
DAY OF THE DEAD tercer draft de George A. Romero.
Friday The 13th: Part 13 script por Aaron Guzikowski.
Buckaroo Banzai Against The World Crime League, fan script por Ernest Cline.
Haría comics de libros y película que son de dominio público como:
Dracula.
Night of the Living Dead.
No lo he puesto en práctica lo leído de este manual, no quiero gastar material, tiempo y yo soy ya viejo pero en mis veintes años hice un fan comic, pero me hubiera gustado dibujar desde los 15 años bastante bien, para hacer fancomics para mi entretenimiento y si fueran buenos compartirlos.
Solo son fantasías pero si aun me sobrara tiempo y aprendiera a dibujar o con la tecnología de inteligencia artificial que convierta los textos en arte, haría bocetos, fanart, comics de los siguientes guiones o borradores qué he leído.
Twilight of the Superheroes de Alan Moore, su propuesta detalladas ya publicadas por DC.
JLA/Avengers trama de Gerry Conway de 1983.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. El Screenplay por Wes Craven y Bruce Wagner.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 6. Draft por Rachel Talalay y Michael Almereyda.
Nightmare 13: Freddy Meets Jason, un Draft.
"ALIEN III": por WILLIAM GIBSON, un Draft.
ALIEN III screenplay por D. T. Twohy.
The Hunt: Alien vs. Predator, un draft.
Labyrinth draft de Laura Phillips y Terry Jones.
RoboCop II: The Corporate Wars, script de Edward Neumeier.
Alien III. Screenplay de John Fasano y Vincent Ward.
DAY OF THE DEAD tercer draft de George A. Romero.
Friday The 13th: Part 13 script por Aaron Guzikowski.
Buckaroo Banzai Against The World Crime League, fan script por Ernest Cline.
Haría comics de libros y película que son de dominio público como:
Dracula.
Night of the Living Dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews