Outside the Panels: Comics, the Classroom, and the Creative Life

Curated from his writings for Graphic Policy--covering everything from a childhood love of superheroes to an ongoing exploration of more mature comics and geeky experiences--CJ Standal offers deep analysis into one of the hottest media today and the life of those who grew up loving that medium: comics.

A former high school English teacher, one who created and ran a graphic novel class, Standal reflects on his experiences designing and teaching such a unique course. Get in on the ground floor of one of the most exciting movements in education!

A critically acclaimed comic creator in the last five years, Standal covers the process of creating a comic: taking an idea from outline to script to comic page. Not only that, but Standal walks the reader through the steps of publication and running a successful Kickstarter.

With something for everyone--autobiographical essays on being a geek, analysis of some of the medium's best stories and movements, a guide on how to produce and sell comics--Outside the Panels is a treat for casual readers, educators, and creators alike!

Rebirth of the Gangster was CJ's first comic work, but he has been active as a writer in other contexts before that and will shortly release B.A.E. Wulf from Markosia Publishing. He wrote for the now-defunct Slant and is now writing for Graphic Policy; he also writes a blog at his own site, cjstandalproductions.com. He used to teach high school English, including a class on graphic novels, bringing his lifelong love of comics to academia; now, he writes and works with software full-time. When not writing, he can be found snuggling up for a good read next to his girlfriend and cat in Wisconsin.