I have a bit of a confession to make: I'm not that big of a fan of Understanding Comics.

Blasphemous I'm sure, but this is just how I feel. Reading Understanding Comics made me feel like I was watching an autopsy of my beloved art form. Sure it is the best book on Comics and Comic-theory, but I prefer to let the magic live instead of dissecting what I'd fashioned through blood, sweat, and tears up to that point. I've even read it religiously every year hoping that I'd be mature enough to gleam the true magic I'd been missing. Each year I'd walk away disappointed.

Don't get me wrong - that didn't stop me from trumpeting it as a must read to comics fans or artists. And the sequel, Reinventing Comics was an equally compelling and exciting argument for the future of the artform. But I never felt they lived up to the pedigree they'd received. When I heard Scott MCloud's latest book in this series (called "Making Comics") was due for a September release I made a note to investigate out of industry obligation.

With all of that weighty confessional said, Making Comics is the real deal. Go out there and pick this up right now.

Maybe my excitement here is because I wasn't expecting much. Reinventing Comics didn't fall far from the first book's point of view. Making Comics feels like a better, cleaner, more intense experience then either of his previous titles. This is the kind of book that makes you want to draw non-stop for days on end. It makes you want to pour your soul onto bristol. I makes you want to thank goodness for people like Scott McCloud.

There is something special in these pages that isn't inside any other comic creation overview. It does what it does with wit and precision, and makes me look back at Understanding Comics in a new light. That book is very good, but it was the stepping stone to the masterpiece that is Making Comics. Without a doubt, I will re-read this each year and I can be sure that I won't walk away without learning something exciting and new.

Sincere thanks Mr. McCloud.