DC COMICS' HOW-TO BOOKS
Thursday, April 5, 2001

Watson-Guptill Publications announced Wednesday a new series of how-to/instructional books to be produced by and published in conjunction with DC Comics.

The first book in the series, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics, to be published in June, is written by editor Dennis O'Neil and has an introduction by Stan Lee.

Here's how the book is described:

"The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics examines the creation of the various genres and formats of comic books, using examples by writers such as Neil Gaiman, Archie Goodwin, Mark Waid, Peter David, Scott McCloud, Chuck Dixon and Mark Evanier, who contributes an essay on writing humor for comics. Illustrated with famous DC Comics super-heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics features work by artists like George Pérez, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Neal Adams, Walter Simonson, Steve Rude, John Byrne, Alex Ross and others."

Watson-Guptill Publications marketing manager Ali T. Kokmen said, "It's thrilling to be involved with this project, and we're honored that DC chose to work with us on it. Being able to tap into DC's tremendous pool of talent and experience is simply wonderful. And to launch with a book by Dennis O'Neil, a true living legend? It does a grown-up fan's heart proud."

DC Comics executive editor Mike Carlin said, "DC has been publishing comics for over 65 years from super-hero and high fantasy to romance and westerns... from war and horror to slice-of-life dramas and everything in between. We've worked with thousands of writers and artists, and we've never stuck to one particular 'house style.' There is no one way to do a story in words and pictures... but with the Creating Comics series, we're looking to explore the numerous different methods that comics can be born."

The second volume in the DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics series will be The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics by artist Klaus Janson, to be published in the fall. Future volumes will include books on inking, coloring, and lettering.

Dennis O’Neil
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics

For any writer who wants to become an expert comic-book storyteller, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics is the definitive, one-stop resource!

In this valuable guide, Dennis O’Neil, a living legend in the comics industry, reveals his insider tricks and no-fail techniques for comic storytelling. Readers will discover the various methods of writing scripts (full script vs. plot first), as well as procedures for developing a story structure, building subplots, creating well-rounded characters, and much more. O’Neil also explains the many diverse formats for comic books, including graphic novels, maxi-series, mega-series, and adaptation. Of course, there are also dozens of guidelines for writing proposals to editors that command attention and get results.

For more than 20 years, Batman editor and writer Dennis O’Neil has put the “dark” in the Dark Knight and has been the guiding force behind the Batman mythos. He has been called a master of the comics form, and the dean of American comics writers. A best-selling novelist and screenwriter, O’Neil currently teaches a course in comic book writing at Sarah Lawrence College. He lives in Nyack, New York.

All characters, names and indicia are trademarks of DC Comics © 2000. All rights reserved.

Watson-Guptill
128 pages, 7 1/2 x 10 1/2
70 black-and-white illustrations
0-8230-1027-9
$19.95/$30.95 cn (paper)
US and Canada Distribution
Available June 2001