by Emil Favila, Reporter

Ever since I picked up my first issue of Alias in 2003 from Marvel, Brian Michael Bendis has been one of my favorite writers.  There was just something to his writing that felt very real that that the reader could connect with.  I had never cared for Spider-Woman till then.  Then there was his run on Daredevil, Marvel Knights and of course his legendary run on Ultimate Spider-Man.  You could say Brian Michael Bendis pretty much set the standard for how comics would be written from the early 2000’s till now. Before we dive into Bendis’ road to success,  there is a  forward from Joe Quesada.  He gives a little insight to how, in his beginnings as a comic book artist, he was taught one very important lesson.  Despite a whole class of talented artists, only a few of them would make it according to his professor.  He tells a fictional story of two artists, both talented.  One is more talented than the other but doesn’t work as hard.  In the end, the less talented artist comes out on top.  This story can be applied to almost any dream job you have in life, whether it be a writer, artist, musician, or any working professional for that matter.

Throughout Bendis’ book he makes one very important point when becoming a writer, you have to REALLY love doing it.  You have to be at a point where you are willing to do it for free and in your spare time.  He emphasizes that a great writer reads and writes ALL the time.  The way a writer reads a book is not gonna be the same way a casual reader reads a book.  He dissects the piece of work and learns from it.  As a musician myself, I find myself analyzing a song far more than a normal listener would as a way to gain knowledge and inspiration.  I feel Bendis really hit the nail on the head when it comes to working towards something you’re passionate about.

Another major point in the book is how thinks of artists as more collaborators than translators of his Words For Pictures.  He describes in detail the two types of collaboration techniques, Marvel style and Script.  Marvel style gives less details to the artist about what will translate over to panel.  This method allows the artist to put the story in his vision.  Script is more direct with pictures drawn out like you’d see in a movie script.  The best part about this book is how he gets opinions on the two styles from friends he knows in the industry such as Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man), Mike Allred (Silver Surfer), Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men), and many others on their preferred ways of collaboration.  By gathering information from other artists, writers, and editors, Bendis is able to communicate the many different views of the do’s and don’ts of the comic book industry.

From time to time, other writers, editors, and even his wife, Alisa Bendis give insight into the business and write part of the book. Fraction talks about his process for writing Hawkeye and how every writing style does not have to be the same for every book.  He talks about experimentation and daring to think outside of the box.  Editor Diana Schultz explains how your writing can’t please everyone.   Much the same way you would not book a folk band at a metal concert, what is great to one person may not be the case for someone else. Lastly there is his wife and business partner, Alisa Bendis.  Reading her interview on the business side of things, you could totally see how she is literally his better half.  Without her, Bendis would not be where he is today.

If you were ever curious about breaking into comics, I would recommend checking out Words for Pictures.  If you are trying to break into the world of comic books, then I would say you MUST READ this book.  Be sure to pick up your copy of Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels from Watson-Guptill publishing July 22nd!

Rating:

ComicsOnline gives Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels 5 out of 5 perfect drafts.

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