Schedule

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Syllabus

Course Description

Fundamentals of sequential art (comic books, newspaper strips, graphic novels). Primary focus is storytelling, using ink-on-paper media. We explore narrative techniques to create a variety of moods, rhythms and passages of time. Exercises are designed to build confidence with both the tools and metaphysics of this medium. Students work on individual and collaborative projects. As the course progresses, mastery of the technical fundamentals leads to personal expression. While this is primarily a studio class, we also cover history of comics' development, industry-standard production methods and the current business environment.

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Course Outcomes Assessment

When you have completed this course you should be able to do the following things:

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Required Materials

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Recommended Reading

• Making Comics by Scott McCloud (Harper)
• Drawing Words & Writing Pictures by Jessica Abel + Matt Madden (First Second Books)
• The Comics Before 1945 by Brian Walker (Abrams Books)
• Will Eisner's Shop Talk by Will Eisner (Dark Horse)
• Writers on Comics Scriptwriting, Vol. 1 by Mark Salisbury (Titan Books)

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Grading Policy

Individual homework assignments are graded in three categories: Technical Mastery, Artistic Merit and Meeting the Deadline. Final grades are compiled from homework assignments, classroom participation and attendance. All final grades will be given at the semester's end; there are no in-completes.

Grading policy for Massachusetts College of Art's 'Art of the Comic Book' as taught by David Marshall

Grade	Range	Grade Description
A A-	(93-100) (90-92)	Excellent to Very Good; comprehensive knowledge and understanding of subject matter; marked perception and/or originality
B+ B B-	(87-89) (83-86) (80-82)	Good; moderately broad knowledge and understanding of subject matter; noticeable perception and/or originality
C+ C C-	(77-79) (73-76) (70-72)	Satisfactory; reasonable knowledge and understanding of subject matter; some perception and/or originality
D	(60-69)	Marginal; minimum of knowledge and understanding of subject matter; limited perception and/or originality
F	(<60)	Failing; unacceptable low level of knowledge and understanding of subject matter; severely limited perception and/or originality; absences in excess of allowable limit

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Late Assignments

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the designated date, unless otherwise noted. Late assignments and make-up tests will be accepted up to 1 week after the due date for half credit. Assignments may not be submitted electronically, except by prior arrangement with the instructor. All writing assignments must be typed.

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Academic Integrity

College guidelines for academic integrity are strictly enforced. Using the words, ideas, or audio/video/graphics files of others, without attributing proper credit to the author, constitutes plagiarism, which will result in failure of the project, and possible failure of the class and expulsion from the college. Students must document the original sources of all material that is not his/her own.

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Attendance

Course work is very hands-on and students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Poor attendance will affect a student’s final grade in a class as follows:

• Our college-wide standard is, that a student with more than 3 absences (2 during Summer Semester) will have their earned academic grade lowered one letter grade (ex: B+ to C+). More than 4 absences (3 during Summer Semester) will lower their grade to D.
• Students are responsible for making up assignments and communicating with their instructors regarding missing classes. All faculty members have school voice mail and email to help students contact them.
• The college does not distinguish between excused or unexcused absences.
• A student who misses all of his or her classes for two consecutive weeks will be withdrawn from the college.

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Tardiness

• If a student arrives late or leaves early from class, it is noted in the attendance roster.
• 4 late arrivals/early departures = 1 absence
• Further, if a student misses more then 30 minutes of class, he/she will be marked with a one-half absence for that class.
• 2 half absences = 1 absence

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Other Class Policies

Students must adhere to all lab rules during class. Food and beverages are not permitted in the computer labs. Respect for self, instructor, and classmates is required at all times. Students must turn off cell phones, beepers, and portable audio devices during class. You may be asked to leave the class for any of the events listed below. If you are asked to leave, you will not be allowed to return for the duration of the class and you will be marked absent for the entire class. If the problem occurs again during the semester you will be removed from the course and your tuition will not be refunded. You will be asked to leave the class if:

• You place or answer a phone call during class
• You use chat/IM or email software during a lecture or an in class assignment
• You are listening to a personal audio device during class
• You disrupt the lecture

Because of the studio nature of this class — as well as student's varying levels of experience — this syllabus is subject to change without notice.

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Assignments

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Media Exercises

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Thumbnail Processes

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Digital Production

MassArt's Tabloid Scanner

Location: Tower T308 | Make/Model: Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL

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Research Methods

As we learned from Alex Toth Critiques Steve Rude, the primary element of storytelling is credibility. Gaining trust from an audience is more important than anatomy, drafting or flashy layouts. Especially in the Google Image area, there's simply no excuse for not knowing what something looks like. While drawing "out of your head" sounds like fun, it's a lazy habit that will hurt you in the long run. Here's a checklist of methods readily available to you and your craft:

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About Your Instructor

As a student, David Marshall worked on the first MassArt Comic Book. His Senior Degree Project was the historical development of comics art, theory, commerce and technology of American comics in the 20th century. Years later, he taught intro computer arts for the Design department.

Marshall is a working author, having been published by Fantagraphics Books, SpiderBaby Graphix and FantaCo Enterprises. He is also a three-time participant of 24-Hour Comics Day. Please refer to his comic book portfolio for details.

When not doing comics, David runs his one-man creative services company Marshall Art Studio. He has over 20 years of experience in web design + development, print design, illustration and overall content beautification.

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