When I was 12, my friend, Harry, and I created a comic story called Super Fido. It followed an alien superhero who came to Earth disguised as a dog. His companion, Foolish Dan, bumbled into one ridiculous situation after another—from accidentally spilling growth serum on his hand to having fish swim through his head (in one ear and out the other). We drew Super Fido on light grey construction paper, and our classmates eagerly awaited each new page. Around this same time, a teacher assigned our class a “comic book” project. Each story had to be told one panel per page, drawn on lined paper and cut into four equal parts. Mine was The Amazing Angelo—a trapeze artist whose ropes snap mid-performance, forcing him to invent new and increasingly creative ways to survive. (My teacher couldn’t find “Grappling Hook” in the dictionary, and made me spell it “Grapple Hook.”)
According to comic book philosopher Scott McCloud in his book, Understanding Comics, this was the start of my professional comics career. Personally, I absolutely love McCloud’s work – and that publication in particular; however, I thought this statement was a load of crap.
That is—until I read his new book.
The Cartoonist’s Club, written and illustrated by McCloud and fellow creator Raina Telgemeirer (Smile, The Babysitter’s Club) chronicles the journey of a group of grade school kids who collaborate to create comics. Encouraged by their teacher/advisor, Fatima, Makayla, Howard, Lynda, and Art discover how to express themselves in comics, which involves the “rules” in Understanding Comics (Rule one: There are no rules.), personal stories, and the adventure of a comic book convention.
Telgemeirer and McCloud said they created The Cartoonist’s Club as an “Understanding Comics” lesson for kids who dream of creating comics. They are currently on tour promoting it as just that (I was in the audience at such an event in Chicago in April.); however, this book is much MUCH more than a tutorial on how to create comics.
Understanding Comics and its sequels are packed with insight and guidance. The Cartoonist’s Club, however, goes deeper. It injects nostalgia into the narrative. Any artist (or writer) – of any age – who has ever created anything and/or tabled at a public venue will find a great deal of familiarity here. (I am not ashamed to admit that my personal memories were so strong that by the time I finished reading the book, I was tearing up.)
The Cartoonist’s Club is a joyful, moving journey into the heart of comic creation—told through the eyes of beginners, but able to resonate deeply with professionals. Telgemeier and McCloud have built something that teaches kids how to begin and reminds seasoned creators why they started.
It turns out Scott McCloud was right all along.
4 out of 4 Stars
Creative Team: Raina Telgemeirer (writer/artist) and Scott McCloud (writer/artist)
Publisher: Scholastic
Click here to purchase.
