Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23227 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-05-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 58 minutes

Customer Reviews

Inspirational, informative, but dated...
I remember first seeing this in VHS form MANY years ago, and I enjoyed it. More as a cheerleading device than an article of information. Even when I first saw it, I realized from comic books I was reading at the time, that many of the things being said about comics in general, and Marvel specifically, were simply not true anymore. The "Marvel Way" being viewed and discussed is the way of 1970. The way of John Buscema and Jack Kirby.
There is nothing wrong with this "way", it's just not what's being asked for and wanted from artists in comics today. These are rules, and successful comics today often succeed by 'breaking' these rules. To hear Stan Lee impose what almost sounds like a mandate on drawing lips and eyelashes is almost laughable. The women being illustrated and discussed are women from 1970, which were often already basically women from 1950. And although it's refreshing to see comic book females being drawn and discussed without showing or mentioning the now commonplace trait of over-sized breasts and 8-inch waists, it's still more of a valuable record of an era in comic books than an instructional device.
HOWEVER... the illustrated use of perspective, impact, angles, technique and storytelling are still just as accurate and important today as they were then. And except for the obvious omission of computer use in comics today, also offers excellent advice on the methods and many of the tools used to construct a professional comic book. It also emphasizes the need for dedication and practice to become better skilled in this art form.
It's on this level that I found it most valuable - as a cheerleader. Any beginning artist with an ounce of talent, looking to break into the business of creating comic books will find it hard not to be motivated and encouraged by the energy and enthusiasm in this DVD. Even now, I find myself swept up in Stan's very sincere desire for me, and other artists to succeed.
There's no fancy film work here, shot on video, no real menu or extras, and the music is annoying. But it's crisp, clear and colorful. I'm very glad it's out on DVD, as pausing is much better for viewing the vast art displayed throughout.
I would recommend this for any person starting out or interested in the details of comic book art.

Good DVD for your Drawing Collection
A good way to see how things are done, but I wish they had went into a detailed step-by-step instruction of the drawings. But I would recommend this for anyone who wants to get into drawing comic books. You still have to learn perspective and anatomy and things like that in more detail. There are a lot of great books out there for that. But this is a good DVD to have in your drawing collection.

More like, "How to Talk the Marvel Way"
Way too much exposition and not enough, how you say, "Bob Ross"-style step by step instruction, but hey, that's what art school is for, right, Binky?

Anyhoo, John and Stan do an excellent job explaining the basics of figure drawing and composition choices for comic panels. Inspirational, and rather like hanging at a family gathering with the oldsters. That's my opinion/memory implant. Very 80's in video quality and the music; oy! the soundtrack! I was waiting for someone to get a pie in the face!!!