The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics the DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics

I've read about a dozen books on writing and screenwriting, and most have been very helpful, especially J. Michael Straczynski's "The Complete Book of Screenwriting." None of them, however, have just laid it all out like Dennis O'Neil's book. While Straczynski's tome can tell you everything you night ever want to know, O'Neil's book tells what you what you MUST know, and very clearly lays out the basics, without which your story will not work. It's short - and half illustrations at that - but insightful and concise. It is written specifically for the fast-paced, melodramatic writing style of comics, especially action comics, but it's lessons are useful in any story. I especially like that it is not about teaching you how to write, but about utilizing tools that will clarify your writing, or help to get you out of a bind.

As an experienced, published writer in just about every genre EXCEPT comics, I came to this book expecting a simple, cookie-cutter, step-by-step guide that would have all its readers producing identically-plotted stories. I was pleasantly surprised. O'Neil leaves out the obvious (i.e. Rewrites happen. Deal with it.), and focuses on the "Why" more than the "How." Is it as easy as copying an existing comic? Of course not; anyone who would say that is naive. O'Neil talks about how to READ that existing comic, not as a piece of entertainment, but as a piece of writing. I'll use this in my writing classes as well as for myself.

First off, I'd like to do the mini-review for those with limited attention spans: "Buy This Book". Following is a list of why I think you should buy this book: 1) Although it's about comic books, in my opinion, many of the lessons Dennis O'Neil teaches in this book are valuable for writing in general, especially the point he makes about never letting the reader get bored. 2) It's doesn't cost a arm and a leg. 3) It's well written. O'Neil's style is very fluid and natural, sometimes funny, and always very clear on the lessons he wants to teach. 4) It's full of examples. Almost every page in the book has an example from a comic book or script that clarifies and illustrates O'Neil's points. Half the fun in this book is reading the examples. 5) It's short. 120 pages long, and about half the book is examples. Reasons you might want to not buy this book: 1) It's pretty basic. It rehashes a lot of material experienced writers may have already learned. 2) It doesn't hold your hand. O'Neil doesn't tell you a single method and have you go through it step by step. The book is very general, and is meant to enhance your existing writing abilities, rather than give you a single recipe. ;-)

If you're a beginner when it comes to writing, as I was, then this book will be of great help. The author, Dennis O'Neil, has been writing comic books for a long time and has worked on some of my favorite Batman stories (such as the critical and commercial success "No Man's Land" series). In the book, O'Neil discusses different types of writing formats, such as plot-style and full-script, as well as the basic three act structure used in everything from screenwriting, playwriting, (and yes) comic book writing. On the downside, it's a little short and can be read through quickly. But don't let that stop you from buying it. There's a lot of information within its pages for people who don't really know the basics of comic book writing.