How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling

Noir Comics

This book is a great inspiration for sequential artists who wish to work in the noir comics genre. The artist/author demonstrates the process of effective line weight and black placement design considerations. This speaks to lighting, mood, and dramatics. I recommend any artist wishing to push into this area of comics have this book on their shelf. Martinbrough gives insightful talk about his process. More so in the images rather than the text, but over all very useful reference.

MUST BUY!!!

How to Draw Noir Comics is an excellent instructional book. Great for all levels of experience, and a nice read even if you're not interested in learning how to draw using the noir style. As a non-artist who cannot draw a straight line w/a ruler, I found Mr. Martinbrough's comments to be extremely insightful and helpful.

A reviewer

Martinbrough shows how to get various kinds of dramatic effects in the noir style using the simple tools of ink and pencils, pens, and brushes. Additional work of this foremost artist/illustrator can be seen at the website verge.tv. But his work is already familiar to many in DC Comics and Marvel Comics and also the films Batman, X-Men, and others. Starting with how to visual a script 'or any text' to create noir illustrations for it, Martinbrough moves on to the fundamental of page layout and then the techniques of graphically portraying action and developing a series of illustrations generating drama. Panel design, backgrounds, and rhythm are among the specific topics covered with corresponding illustrations. While cautioning the illustrator should never forget text that is going to be inserted into many noir illustrations, in a series of three simple illustrations Martinbrough demonstrates choices that can be made in panel design or organization affecting the effects or prominence of elements of the noir illustration. In discussing 'Designing the Covers,' he notes, 'Remember, the more detailed your cover, the harder it becomes to convey a clear message of what the story is about.' The reader benefits not only from Martinbrough's exceptional talent putting him at the top of his profession, but also from his experience in the field of comics and films working on projects involving various persons 'e. g., writer, director' and thus various considerations. The expert instruction is capped off by a 16-page graphic novel titled 'The Truce' combining all the considerations and techniques Martinbrough has covered in the earlier sections.

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