If you ever thought about writing a web comic, graphic novel, comic book, etc, this book will be your main reference.
Along with Making Comics and Reinventing Comics, you will be set. Perfect for the one starting out, as well as for the seasoned pro who may need some help.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in a deeper meaning of not only comics, but storytelling itself. Most insightful and very well researched.

McCloud was always one step ahead of me, tearing down my preconceptions about where comics have been, while opening my eyes to where they have the potential to go.

This book is so good that it changed my whole outlook on comics. I had a strong opinion of what I liked, but then I read this book, and I realized that what I liked was only a small portion of the pie. I now have an extremely broad palate of artistic resonance which is greatly enhanced in some of the comics I have read. Many books I have enjoyed the most had art which before would never have tickled my proverbial fancy. Oddly enough my original tastes in art (ie. Frazetta) remained unchanged. If anyone is looking to broaden their artistic horizons, I greatly recommend this book (and its sister/brother Reinventing Comics), to all who are in need of some colour in their lives again! A+++

I bought this way back in 1993 (2nd printing) when it was only available in speciality stores and It's one of the best books I have found on comics, art and how our society views comics. Scott McCloud's simplistic art is coupled with words of wisdom that should be taken to heart by anyone, even those not interested in comic books!

This book has my highest reccomendation. My copy is all dog eared after being read dozens of times.