Cartoons Books

If you're looking for a book that teaches you how to draw in Flash, this is not the book for you. It will, however, teach you the nuts and bolts of animation, the technical information necessary to make animation less time consuming, which is a must-have imo.

This book is a must for everyone who is tired of animating on paper and wishes to ditigalize their work completely in Flash or After Effects. The book covers many great aspects including; making shortcuts of your workflow with user made extensions, brilliant tips & tricks and personal advices how to make life easier for the animators.

This book is also amazing for those who already have knowledge of Flash or After Effects, but wish to enhance their skills or take their production to the next level.

After reading this book, my animation workflow and quality improved.

Best recommendations from here.


-Alex Volkov (Flash Animator)

not only did i read the book cover to cover i went back into the book and downloaded the source files and worked through the tutorials. this book is perfect for organizing and creating flash animation at a professional level which is a key foundation for any up and coming flash animator. this book teaches you industry secrets that are priceless if you are pursuing a flash animation career. thanks guys. the best flash book i have come acrossed in a long time.
josh johnson

This book is probably best for the reader who has some drawing experience, and preferably, a grasp of animation principlals as well as some Flash experience.

It should be noted, there isn't an over-arching animation project created in this book; However, readers could certainly follow along with their own project as the process is fairly linear, from the planning stages, through effectively using Flash's library and a host of useful plug-in for tasks such as timing and motion tweening. There is a fair bit of coverage of Adobe's After Effects, and the book discuses the pros and cons of doing various tasks in either software.

For Flash animators, two chapters stand out in the 300 pages: There is one chapter on how to properly use Flash's tweening tools so as to avoid the overly-precise look common with generated animations. A second is on 2D effects, covering common special effects like smoke, fire and water.

There are many books about cartoon animation in Flash. What sets this book apart from the rest is the approach the authors have taken to make this book much more than just another step-by-step book about drawing and animating characters. Foundation Flash Cartoon Animation is for the animator who needs to stretch beyond the mechanics of the Flash tools and perfect the decision-making process necessary to become a productive animator. One of the biggest questions that is answered in this book is when to use Flash and how to use it most efficiently. The next question is what tasks are beyond Flash's capabilities and when to turn to another software such as After Effects.

The authors assume that the reader has a basic knowledge of Flash and the principles of animation. Because of this, you will find only a few step-by-step examples. What they do cover thoroughly is every phase of the production process for cartoon animation from planning, storyboards and animatics to post-production and delivery. The approach for this book is to examine working examples which can be downloaded from the publisher's website.

If you have ever created a complex character animation including lip synching and facial expressions, then you know that your character must be divided into a large number of individual animated parts. This is why the authors dedicate a whole chapter to organization and using the Flash library system to build character libraries. As you progress through the process from head comps and onward, the authors show when it is best to draw from scratch and when to use Flash symbols. Storyboards and animatics are next in the production process and the book covers several decisions that must be made such as choosing between traditional, hand-drawn storyboards and the digital method in Flash.

Moving from the planning stages to character creation, the authors discuss the technical and organizational issues such as Flash file structures and project architecture. They take a look at several working examples to give the reader a comprehensive overview of this topic. One of the most helpful aspects of this book is how the authors help you decide when Flash is not enough to get the job done and how to expand Flash's capabilities with plug-ins. They discuss several of their favorites, how to find more on the web and when to make your own.

One of the most important decisions that an animator will need to make is the choice between traditional frame by frame animation and tweening. The authors share their four step process for frame by frame animation and then discuss tweening and how to avoid common mistakes.

I mentioned earlier that the authors discuss the use of a dedicated motion graphic software such as After Effects to take your Flash project to a higher level of quality and sophistication. They discuss some of the advantages to using After Effects for editing and composition such as complex camera movements and 3D effects.

Flash has been plagued by one major drawback since its conception a decade ago and that is the extreme "digital" look of the vector artwork created in Flash. The authors share several tips and suggestions for enhancing your Flash project to achieve a more "hand-drawn" appearance to your animation including line styles and color choices. They also cover the digital equivalents for traditionally hand-drawn special effects such as distortion, drag, fade in/out and blurs.

This book was a joint effort of several authors. Tim Jones is an Emmy Award-winning producer and writer and head of production at ANIMAX Entertainment. Barry J. Kelly is an Emmy Award-winning editor and artist and is also a member of ANIMAX Entertainment. Allan S. Rosson is animation director at ANIMAX Entertainment and has over twenty years experience as an animator. David Wolfe was an animator at ANIMAX Entertainment and is now with Cartoon Network Studios.

Jim Davis has once again used his expertise to charm and captivate our minds in his explosive 10th collection of comics. His wit and humor make America's favorite fat cat come to life, now more gluttonous and hilarious than ever before. My only complaint is that the Sunday strips are not printed in color, but overall this is a wonderful arrangement of comics.

Garfield is a puffed up caricature of all cats. They truly believe that the world revolves around them and their food better be there when they want it. Like Garfield, my cat, appropriately named Sassy, wants attention when she wants it and then will bite you when she is done. Yet, like Garfield, she is a lovable creature that would be missed if she was gone. Garfield is funny, a bit demented and always a good read.

My book title is Garfield makes it Big. It is about a fat cat that does not like to do anything. It's a good book because he sleeps all of the time. The mice are his friends. He likes lasagna so every time John cooks it Garfield eats it. The authors name is Jim Davis. I would recommend this book to the people who like comely. My name is Bryant Mathaw Stevens. Hop you like this book.

It is hard for me to pick out a favorite Garfield book because everything Garfield does makes me laugh. "Garfield Makes It Big" is a non-stop laugh riot. One of my personal favorite moments in Garfield history is when Jim Davis used the classic Xmas story "T'was the Night Before Christmas" and just visualized the story using his comic characters. It was both funny and appropriate at the time he did that back in '83. I love Garfield's neverending practical jokes on Jon, like loosening up the top of the salt shaker. And of course I just love it when Nermal comes to visit and manages to make Garfield look bad in front of Jon's eyes. The reader also sees Garfield attempt to mail Nermal to Abu Dhabi for the first time. And of course there are the times that Garfield terrorizes the mailman. I love it when Jon takes Garfield on vacation. The strip where Jon tries to board the plane in peace is hilarious because he doesn't want to be known for having to sit in third class. Whenever I am down, I can always count on Garfield making me laugh.

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

The Garfield comic strip about a male loser who owns a fat cat and an ignorant, slobbery dog strikes a responsive chord in cat owners everywhere. It is not because they identify with a man who cannot do anything right or recognize their pet dog. It is because Garfield is the exaggerated epitome of a cat whose life revolves around eating, sleeping and getting into things. I have owned approximately ten cats in my life and I recognized a bit of Garfield in every one of them. I enjoyed this book, even though the actions of his owner reach beyond the absurd.

Unfortunatly, this was actually when Garfield books were starting to fall a bit flat on ideas and the 1990's books weren't as good compared to the mid to late 1980's books but this book is still very funny, but overall if you're a Garfield fan, this book is highly recommended.

"Garfield Says a Mouthful, No 21" wasn't the funniest Garfield book I've read, but it's still entertaining. I nice addition to a collection and a must for Garfield fans. I recommend.

Out of all the Garfield books I think I liked this one the most. But still I give all of them 5 big gold stars! -Kacey 5th grade

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Garfields first 6 books were good.
Now... here comes GARFIELD SITS AROUND THE HOUSE. Funnier and fatter, see garfield as he goes fishing, asks 'Have you kicked your dog today?' and eats his cake for his 4th birthday but eats the candles on fire as well. I really enjoyed it. It is one of my favorate books. I'm the only peson in my class who likes Garfield. It is so good.
It has comic from 11 January 1982- 15 August 1982.
It is good!

I'll never forget the first time that I read this book back in the 7th grade when my younger brother checked out at the library and this book is Garfield's best book yet cause the drawings were getting better and they were starting to come up with more ideas.
The funniest moments were when Garfield ate the whole cake when the candles were still lit on the cake, when Odie eats Garfield's burger and says ribbit, his bad case of Monday's, or when Garfield beets on Odie.

If you love Garfield books, then this book is highly recommended cause it is the funniest book of the early 1980's.

Garfield:He opens his mouth.Odie:he takes the hamburger!Garfield says:What the? Odie says:RIBBIT. That was a comic from Garfield sits around the house.

Jim Davis' early books contain some of his best jokes. Add this one to your collection!

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Jon:Oh great. A new mouse hole.Sound:plit Jon:what's that? Garfield:Standard lease agreement.That's a comic from ton's of fun.

This book was about a cat named Garfield, a dog named Odie and Jon, Garfield's owner.They are very funny but some jokes are not.I'd give it four stars. I liked it a lot. I recommend it.

It's the funniest Garfield yet!!!

This book is great! He even goes on a trip to a island called Guano-Guano!And makes Odie have peanut butter,peforming on the fence is in this book tons of fun! A garfiled book that you will enjoy!

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Agnes greets me each and every day (she's on my toolbar)...what better way to share with my friends, then to get them a set of this special collection of the heart warming and fun adventures of Agnes and Trout and all the life's lessons they impart on us. Do yourself a favor...make this your coffee table book...your guests will thank you!

Tony Cochran has his finger on the pulse of his heroine. He is witty, sardonic, wise and hilarious. In fact, I think he has a camera pointed at a friend, who I was sure had a unique personality. Now I find that the author knows her too. Agnes is charming and frustrating at the same time. Her view of life never wavers, unless it suits her needs. Her friend, Trout, has a hard row to hoe, but she is faithful to their friendship in spite of it all. Her comments always bring things back into focus. I find myself nodding my head and laughing at each page.

The second book of collections from the comic strip by Tony Cochran is just as brilliant as the last. I love his characters, especaily Agnes - a spunky young girl who makes best she can by using her resorces of wit and sarcasm. The best part of the comic is the writing. Sharp, realistic, and fun. Can by enjoyed by all ages.

I bought this one never having read a single Agnes cartoon before, just because I liked her pointy little toes and frizzy hair...she just had to be wonderful. I was right. Agnes is smart and funny and kooky and this book is refreshing enough to read a second and third time.

Agnes: I Have Tampered With The Divine Plan is cutting-edge humor in the form of an Agnes comic strip collection. Agnes is a young girl with a name far older than she is; she is given to deep thoughts and lengthy ramblings, when she is not gluing Froot Loops on hats, or practicing a dance number in a vain attempt to impress a teacher asking her to multiply 14 x 13. As a strip, Agnes is a much-needed antidote to overly warm and fuzzy scenarios flooding the newspapers, as its young heroine does not enjoy the security of many of her comic strip peers - she lives in a trailer with her elderly grandmother, who tries to stretch diminutive family funds and enrich quality of life through culinary creations a la spam. Agnes' personal poverty, not to mention her biting insight into the world around her, limits her friends circle of friends to one person: the tomboyish Trout, named after one of her father's favorite hobbies (she was only a few numbers away from being named "Powerball"). Together, this duo of unlikely girlfriends produce a dynamic reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes, particularly when one contrasts Agnes' contemplative albeit self-absorbed musings to Trout's more practical and simple realism-based approach to life. Yet Agnes is a unique formula all its own, one in which the quest for self-identity, rather than rampant misbehavior, is the central tenet of the main character's personal struggles. And it's sidesplitting, milk-snorting, feel-sorry-for-the-goldfish-drowned-in-tomato-sauce-but-can't-help- laughing-about-it funny. Highly recommended.

My youngest son was a big fan of Sherman's Lagoon, but I had never paid any attention until we got this volume. It was fantastic! We will be collecting all of the volumes.

I bought one collection to try, then wound up purchasing the entire published collection of Sherman Lagoon books for my 13 year old son who absolutely loves them. The setting is the ocean world, but all that transpires reflects the "real" world above. The humor is insightful, a bit cynical and the characters colorful. We're waiting for more....

The third book of Jim Toomey's (yes, aztecprincess, he IS darn sexy) hilarious strip "Sherman's Lagoon" shows no signs of waning or staleness. Few strips can achieve -- or surpass -- the surreality of Calvin and Hobbes, and this is one of those few. ("Liberty Meadows" is another, sadly not in books yet...)

It features doofus, perpetually human-hungry shark Sherman; irritable wife Megan (don't cross her if you value your life); Fillmore the nerdy and cultured sea turtle; Hawthorne the malicious and loudmouthed little hermit crab; and recurring character Ernest, sarcastic and geeky little fish.

Among the crazy adventures are: Bill Gates buys the island, Megan thinks she's pregnant, Fillmore actually gets a date (something is wrong, of course), the return of irritating Thornton the warm-weather polar bear, Hawthorne's annual shell-changing--and of course, lots of Sherman-chases-beach-apes-aka-humans and Hawthorne-pinches-beach-ape-toes!

The pop culture references in the isolated tropical island make a bizarre combo (Starbucks, for example) and the sight of a shark at a computer should theoretically be strained and overdone. However, given the colorful personalities and kooky situations at Kapupu Island, even sea boogers will find this entertaining in Toomey's skilled and skewed imagination!

It's not often that something this clean and inoffensive appeals to a bunch of South Park fans, but Sherman's Lagoon has done it. It has been impossible to keep my hands on since my friends have discovered it, and we really do keep pointing out, "Have you read THIS one?" This book is a keeper.

It must really BOGGLE the mind to think that such a handsome hunk like him could come up with such wacky, off-the-wall comedies under the sea! There's plenty of satire, parody, slapstick, lowbrow humor, and oooh...even a little risqueness to boot! (You just DON'T want to know WHERE the geeky Ernest holds his secret club!) Real sly, man.

Here in the third book, Sherman is his usual old man-eating self; Megan remains a shrewdish old missus; Fillmore continues to be your bookish cynic who just can't get a date; Hawthorne is still a stubborn and selfish old crab as usual; and the bespectacled Ernest is the very same computer-savvy nerd as ever before.

In other words, they are quite the same sea-dwelling characters we all know and love. Yet they are all caught up in the newest and silliest adventures - this time, in the show biz, the big romantic getaways, and the fishing contests. Why, they are even invaded by sea boogers, space dogs, and Bill Gates as well as a beached whale being talked out of a suicide and Megan getting PREGNANT!!! So just kick back and enjoy such a crazed fantasy world so lovingly conjured up by the Playgirl candidate!;)

This book is full of the funniest illustrations that will make anyone laugh and real wine appreciators fall out of their chairs!

Is this the book that Clos Du Bois winery commissioned some 10-15 yrs ago? It had such cartoon depictions as "This wine is immature" and " This wine is passed its prime" I enjoyed it so much, while having wine tasting parties, then someone "borrowed" it.

a must read for anyone who enjoys wine and espically those who like to talk about it. Great gift for the wine snob you know.

Is this the book that Searle illustrated some 10-15 years ago? I enjoyed sharing it with many winetasting friends. It contained such depictions as "this wine is passed its prime" or "This wine is very immature" I loaned to someone and never got it back. If this is the book, I want it!!!

A great book that is a must for "winelovers" with illustrations that only a crazy Englishman could think about in the wicked world of winetasting!

Alison Bechdel has really outdone herself in this latest collection of DTWOF. The clear (but not in-your-face) theme in this one is the chronic anxiety that underlies everyday life, but an anxiety Bechdel thinks has been manipulated and artificially enhanced by the current "war on terror" culture in which we live. Enemies abroad and domestic, heightened security alerts, on-going vigilance against the homeland's enemies, suspicion, paranoia, anger, aggressiveness, and on top of it all the oppressiveness of war: these are internalized sources of anxiety that play themselves out here in the on-going stories of the DTWOF regulars. The trenchant humor is still present, but there's little light-heartedness, and Bechdel makes all of her adult characters--even Stuart, easily one of the most lovably unflappable of them all--look slightly haggard.

Some of the vignettes: Raffi, son of Clarice and Toni, is imbibing macho norms of honor (aka violence) at school and on computer games; Ginger is dealing with self-absorbed students indifferent to social injustice and clueless about the war, but up in arms about class requirements; Sidney comes down with breast cancer, and her oncologist, a walking encyclopedia of martial slogans ("war on cancer"), progressively riles Mo, who's already wigged-out about the state of the world; and relationships (I won't give away which ones) are seriously threatened by loneliness and desperation-inspired infidelities. Everyone feels the pressure. As Ginger tells Mo at one point, "I'm managing. When my panic about Bush provoking a nuclear terrorist attack gets too intense, I switch to my fear of being rounded up and shipped to a gulag for intellectuals in Kentucky" (p. 119).

Still, there's hope. Sparrow and Stuart become parents--life renews itself--and Ginger falls in love (with Samia, a voluptuous and uninhibited middle eastern woman, of all people!). And then there's Cynthia, a red-white-and-blue student of Ginger's who's discovering that the world isn't as simple as she once thought.

Bechdel is angry in this volume, and she pulls no punches (not that she ever has). Perhaps the single best panel is #409, "We interrupt our regularly scheduled comic strip for this important message" (the panel title itself gestures as the panicky headlines loved by the media)in which the characters speak to readers directly about the anxiety that's the theme of the book.

An excellent, excellent piece of work.

The author warns us that she's not going to make us laugh very much. But there were one or two good chuckles for me anyway. The characters continue to lead believable, interesting lives and they face the sort of dilemmas that don't crop up in everyone's life, actually, as well as the moral posers that do. I hope I can interest my kids in the series at some point.

My only complaint is that the books don't come out more often! Other than that, Bechdel's humorous social commentary is as fresh as ever. I've been a fan for over 15 years and am always impatient for the next book to come out. Sure, I can go online and read the strip there, but it seems more gratifying to me to read them all at once in book form.

The graphic novel, Invasion of the Dykes to Watch Out For, by Allison Bechdel, confronts contemporary societal issue such as the "War on Terror," breast cancer, homosexuality, rampant consumerism, motherhood, and popular culture. Bechdel's use of humor challenges authority by refusing to take it seriously. She attacks the deliberate choices people make: hypocrisies, affectations and mindless following of social expectations. The text does not do away with women's feelings of powerlessness; instead it highlights the political nature of women. Invasion of the Dykes to Watch Out For inspires as well as entertains.

I had never heard of Alison Bechdel or Dykes to Watch Out For until I was fortunate enough to hear her speak at a diversity conference I attended. She was witty and poignant and I picked up this book and bought it. So I started at the end of a series which I have now gone back and read from the beginning and I love it! This particular book was a great collection (obviously enough to hook me in) that made me laugh, think, and reflected moments in my own life, despite my being heterosexual. What I love about her characters is they are real, smart, interesting women. What I hope for is the day when they are present in the comic pages of national newspapers rather than just liberal lesser known publications. One day we won't have to have a special Lesbian/Gay genre...it will just be incorporated into mainstream media the way the heterosexual experience is today. Support such a world by investing in her work and supporting others like her. Open your mind to new experiences and laugh a little in the process.

Ridiculously entertaining, sometimes poignant, always satisifying, fun for the whole family! You know it's great. You know you want it. Buy it, now!

Bill Holbrook has an astonishing ability to condense a complex idea into the limited confines of the daily comic strip format. His uncanny knack for blending the world of anthropomorphic animals with computers and life in the 21st century is unmatched by any other working cartoonist today. Add Kevin & Kell: Quest For Content to your bookshelves today! You won't regret it!

Kevin and Kell is the greatest comic I have seen in a long time. The main charaters are a loveable inter-spieces family of rabbits, wolves, and a hedgehog. The strip pursues issues such as workplace stress and dating with humor and honesty. Kevin's (the older rabbit) job as a forum sysop provides sharp internet puns. Everyone in this strip is wildly orginal, from Coney, the cute but carnivourus baby rabbit, to Fenton, Lindsfarne the hedgehog's nerdy but loveable bat boyfriend. What can I say? Kevin and Kell rocks my world!

Bill Holbrook is a very funny man, as anyone who sees "On the Fastrack" or "Safe Havens" in the papers will know. With "Kevin & Kell" he's found a completely new outlet: online syndication to Web sites and Forums instead of newspapers. Not only do we get a fresh strip every morning, we can talk to the author and other fans on the Forums that carry it. And the world that Holbrook has created will draw you in. Sure, it's talking animals...but you can get eaten. A world where corporate headhunting is just that, where your co-workers can smell fear, where predation is a business technique...this is far funnier than Dillbert!

Who says a mixed marriage can't work? Since burly six-foot rabbit divorcee Kevin met sweet, widowed wolf Kell online, they've been deeply in love.

Of course, there is the social predjudice against heribvores and carnivores marrying, the inlaws, the problems with the kids whom aren't sure they like their new step parents, but hey, life's not just a bed of roses. If it was, Kell would starve.

If you like humor about computers, school, work pressures, friendships, and the chance of being eaten for dinner, this strip is for you.

I discovered Kevin and Kell a few weeks ago, and can't get enough. Check it out at kevinandkell.com, and you'll probably be buying the books too.

Oh yeah. Showed this book to my wife, and she immediately wanted to know when I was getting the other three. Answer: ASAP.

Kevin and Kell are great.