How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way

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· 7,651 ratings · 135 reviews

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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 w

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 :)

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Apr 07, 2009 Meredith rated it really liked it

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 beginn 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.

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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

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Aug 04, 2011 Johnny Atomic rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: children, begining artists

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 profe

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

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.

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Was 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 m

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.

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Feb 09, 2008 Cullen rated it really liked it

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 ar 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. ...more

Jul 06, 2012 Jamest. rated it really liked it

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. 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! ...more

Feb 22, 2009 Steven rated it really liked it

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.

Jul 01, 2009 Eric rated it really liked it

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. 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. ...more

Oct 16, 2021 Mike rated it it was amazing

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. 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. ...more

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" 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" ...more

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. 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. ...more

Apr 15, 2011 Bill rated it it was amazing

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.

Jan 27, 2012 Paul Smith rated it really liked it

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 17, 2012 Bee rated it it was amazing

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) 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) ...more

Jun 23, 2015 J.M. Giovine rated it it was amazing

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. 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. ...more

Feb 19, 2019 Andrew Yeager rated it it was amazing

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.

Feb 19, 2009 Dan rated it liked it

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. 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. ...more

All you'll ever need as an artist. Basically my bible. All you'll ever need as an artist. Basically my bible. ...more

Jun 08, 2020 Eric Dubay rated it it was amazing

This is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn figure drawing or has aspirations in any field of art

Jun 05, 2021 Jeff Lorentz rated it it was amazing

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. 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. ...more

I expected better and I expected more from the way the book was presented.

I am an illustration student and I got this on amazon in the hope it would awake the memory of my 'anatomy and perspective for comics' class and take me a bit deeper.

No such thing.
The book stays superficial with more images than explanations and it does not go past the bare bones.

Perspective was barely mentioned in the chapter dedicated to it. The most useful part was on the proportions to respect when sketching a face.

I expected better and I expected more from the way the book was presented.

I am an illustration student and I got this on amazon in the hope it would awake the memory of my 'anatomy and perspective for comics' class and take me a bit deeper.

No such thing.
The book stays superficial with more images than explanations and it does not go past the bare bones.

Perspective was barely mentioned in the chapter dedicated to it. The most useful part was on the proportions to respect when sketching a face.

It can work for you as introduction if you are completely extraneous to the subject, but even like that, you can find more complete books as instruction material.

I had the barest introduction to the subject and I was pretty unhappy with this, so I can imagine the reaction of someone more knowledgeable. Or even someone who anticipated to actually learn to draw Marvel-style.

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Jun 07, 2020 Altoro rated it really liked it

This is not a book on how to draw Marvel heroes, but there are plenty of useful tips and advice on how to compose your artwork to make it look in the style of Marvel comics from how they go about posing their heroes to how they direct a readers focus on the page. I found the most useful sections to myself were their action section and inking section. The big Stan Lee helped me see that my poses weren't as exaggerated as they could be to portray heroic action and that I need to work on varying th This is not a book on how to draw Marvel heroes, but there are plenty of useful tips and advice on how to compose your artwork to make it look in the style of Marvel comics from how they go about posing their heroes to how they direct a readers focus on the page. I found the most useful sections to myself were their action section and inking section. The big Stan Lee helped me see that my poses weren't as exaggerated as they could be to portray heroic action and that I need to work on varying the thickness of lines when inking.

Worth a read if you're an aspiring artist interested in what sets Marvel apart from others. I didn't give it 5 stars because I would've loved more information because I'm greedy like that but I plan on checking out his Master Class book which seems to have more information in it.

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Aug 07, 2017 Beth rated it liked it

I'll come back to this one day - 3*

I would never have bought myself this book but my mam got it for me and I couldn't leave it so I had to have a go.

I'll come back to this one day - 3*

I would never have bought myself this book but my mam got it for me and I couldn't leave it so I had to have a go.

I'm definitely better at drawing because of this book but it is so time-consuming and I honestly don't gave the time for this. I really don't - balancing two jobs is hard enough! I'm annoyed that Black Widow's not there because really I wanted to draw her as part of my gift for a birthday present for a friend but I can't and I don't even have the skills to do it. This book jumps from step 1-9 and for a novice (like myself), its too hard. I don't have any skills and this book doesn't take that into account.

So yeah. A little annoyed and frustrated.

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Dec 26, 2021 Debra Hahn rated it it was amazing

If you want to learn how to draw comics the right way. Then this is your book to
do it with. It takes you from understanding the human body, to blocking it in.
Then drawing in the details and shading. Then perspective techniques, on to
Shading, and back ground. Then on to story line, and on to designing your own
characters. A great book, that takes you from Start to finnish. A must have for
beginning Comic drawers to to more advanced artists. It also works as a great
reference book too, like I do.
Deb If you want to learn how to draw comics the right way. Then this is your book to
do it with. It takes you from understanding the human body, to blocking it in.
Then drawing in the details and shading. Then perspective techniques, on to
Shading, and back ground. Then on to story line, and on to designing your own
characters. A great book, that takes you from Start to finnish. A must have for
beginning Comic drawers to to more advanced artists. It also works as a great
reference book too, like I do.
Debra Hahn ...more

Dec 02, 2020 Mark rated it really liked it

I love Marvel Comics.
I have the artistic ability of a shrub.
That doesn't take any of the joy away from reading along and imagining all of the wonderful figures that I could draw. If I could draw.
I love Stan Lee's voice, how he talks right to the reader, from every Marvel Soapbox to every introduction to every little thing. His welcome inclusion felt uniquely personal yet made me feel a part of something bigger.
Thank you for the joy.
I love Marvel Comics.
I have the artistic ability of a shrub.
That doesn't take any of the joy away from reading along and imagining all of the wonderful figures that I could draw. If I could draw.
I love Stan Lee's voice, how he talks right to the reader, from every Marvel Soapbox to every introduction to every little thing. His welcome inclusion felt uniquely personal yet made me feel a part of something bigger.
Thank you for the joy.
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Aug 12, 2021 Marco rated it really liked it

This is more for beginners, breaking down different stages of art production for comic books; some very basic drawing advice, some a bit more advanced, concerning page layout and panel design, and some analysis of published material as examples.
At its size the book cannot offer more than an overview (and the sheer amount of art examples makes it a very quick read), but it does provide a start (and a list of suggestions to follow up) that is well worth its price as an introductory "How To." This is more for beginners, breaking down different stages of art production for comic books; some very basic drawing advice, some a bit more advanced, concerning page layout and panel design, and some analysis of published material as examples.
At its size the book cannot offer more than an overview (and the sheer amount of art examples makes it a very quick read), but it does provide a start (and a list of suggestions to follow up) that is well worth its price as an introductory "How To." ...more

Dec 12, 2020 Aelys rated it it was amazing

This is a classic essentiel for illustrating action scènes comic book style.
Written by a pioneer in his craft, it teaches hiw to give your character scenes powerful visual impact.

Not a course in art by itself. Best to use with other instruction. Students will need to look elsewhere to learn anatomy, perspective, composition, story telling.

Jul 05, 2018 Nicole rated it really liked it

A great, classic "how to draw" book. Definitely for beginners, but there are handy, comic book specific tips for artists to utilize, too. Worth having for classic drawing techniques explained in a fun and simple way.

Stan 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.

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