Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 20 And now, some points about inking. Inking is a complex discipline. It requires the following: 1) Control of the tools, that is, being able to make the pen or brush make exactly the mark on the paper that you want it to every time—nothing accidental. Vince Colletta could make a […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 19 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) Page twelve. Okay, this is an extended pull-back-to-reveal sequence. We see Cap using a remote control device. What is he up to? No clue yet. A skyhook-thingie pulls him up. Again, a little vertigo in this shot. You know these buildings are […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 18 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) Page nine. Panel one. Now they’re talking. Interacting. As you’d expect, Kirby shows them up close. […]
While Jack was in the hospital in Queens, Paul called me to ask if Jack had insurance through Marvel. Yes, but it was the standard major medical coverage, which only paid 80%. Paul said Jack had been enrolled in Blue Cross/Blue Shield through DC (Jack worked at both places), but he had let his coverage […]
I didn’t know Jack Abel very well during my first few years at Marvel, which were also my first few years in New York, my first time in close proximity to the majority of comics professionals. I saw Jack once in a while when I was visiting Continuity — Neal Adams’ studio. Neal rented office […]
I come from the Stan Lee school of thought regarding lettering and balloon placement. Here are the lettering notes I frequently include in my scripts: – Lettering should be clear and legible – Lettering and balloons should be as unobtrusive as possible – There should never be any question about which balloon comes next – […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 17 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) JayJay here. The blog service has been down and I have a few things that Jim wants me to post so I will be putting up several extra articles later today and tomorrow. Check back! Page Eight. Panel one. Action, a full […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 16 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) Page four. Okay, panel one we have action—full figures if you don’t count Cap’s toe. Look at the reactions of the background characters, and the Torch, for that matter. So much is expressed so simply and so powerfully. The words underscore the […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 15 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) Page three. Here’s the establish-the-big-new-location-shot, the Los Angeles Coliseum shot. Now that’s an establishing shot. If you look carefully, you can see Johnny in the lower right hand corner. That’s Kirby ”telescoping” again, establishing our featured character’s position within the location. This […]
Storytelling Lecture Series, Part 14 (Edited from the transcript of a 1994 seminar) Page two. Take a look at the second panel. The boys have landed in a heap. In order to make that clearly, Kirby treats it like action, that is, he uses the usual action depth and shows us full figures, or nearly […]