Following up on an earlier post on graphic novels, I have since read Persepolis, put the sequel to it on hold at my local library, and just finished Reinventing Comics. Persepolis is great, wonderful art and a compelling story.
Reinventing Comics will take another reading before I feel like I understand it all: the book comes in two parts, a review of the past and preview of the future. The past section is fine, lots of stuff to learn from and like. But the forward-looking part was published in 2000, and reliant as it is on the internet as a key component, it seems a little dated. I don’t think it can be helped: McCloud is quick to admit to the “under construction” aspects of this part of the book and promises updates at his website. A quick glance tells me he’s walking the walk: he sees digital delivery and micropayments as a Great Leveller for comics artists and creators, and right now you can get Part two of his novella The Right Number for a cool quarter (US$.25).