The Cartoonist's Workbook Drawing, Writing Gags, Selling

These are two of the most comprehensive and entertaining cartooning books available. Duane Barnhart, a highly successful teacher, syndicated cartoonist, and illustrator, provides interesting bits on cartoon history and step-by-step lessons on human characters, animals, and imaginary beings. The book attempts to engage the student by having cartoon characters do the teaching. This is alternately whimsical and tedious. Hall's book manages to pack far more material in a cleaner format, while still making the reader laugh on every page. Thus, one learns that of 6000 submissions to King Features Syndicate, only three are accepted, and one learns how to make snacks while preparing one of those submissions. Two fine books, but Hall has the edge.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.