Yes, this is quite a departure from my usual genre of review, but when I found The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics: How to Create and Sell Comics, Manga, and Webcomics by Comfort Love and Adam Withers was available, I was transported to a time in my childhood when I made magic. Well, at least I thought I made magic! There are a number of “how to” self-publishing books out there, but this one caught my eye. I haven’t really kept up with comics in quite a number of years, but I am familiar with some of the latest trends in publishing and marketing, especially given the way the boom in webcomics. So, I was really interested in what this comic-making, married couple had to offer. They did not disappoint!

There is a boatload of information here for those who are interested in creating a comic for the first time, or for those who needs some pointers in an already well-developed process. They won’t tell you what to write, draw, or publish, but they sure give you enough of the “how” to set you on as smooth a path as possible with plenty of appropriate hazard signs along the way. Want to know what’s most important in a comic? They’ve got you covered? What should you research as a writer? How far ahead should you plan? Why should an artist know publishing dimensions? What’s so important about hue and saturation for a colorist? How do I create a flat color layer in Photoshop again? How many copies should I print in a first-run and how? Why can’t I be an angry, self-entitled curmudgeon at conventions? Yup, it’s all here. Big, glossy pages, pictures, examples, and a “Pro Tip” from a host of comic industry veterans on about every other page are all here to help you on your way to comic fame (or at least a load of frustrating fun and hard work)! And if you still want more, check out comfortandadam.com for more self-publishing guides.

I definitely recommend this guide for anyone seriously considering a life in comics.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.