Set the Action! Creating Backgrounds for Compelling Storytelling in Animation, Comics, and Games

Introduction

Permit me, if you will, the chance to paint with words an all-too-familiar picture: a young illustrator is waiting in line at a comic book convention, hoping to speak with the senior editor of Whatever’s Awesome This Month Comics. As the line gets shorter and shorter, the young artist beams with confidence. He knows full well that his portfolio, filled with powerful figures in exciting action sequences, will knock this particularly stodgy editor’s socks off. Finally, he stands in front of the editor, who turns each page slowly, studying every panel, while our hero stands quietly, waiting for some much expected praise and recognition. Putting the portfolio down, the editor looks up, locks eyes with our friend, and says, “That’s nice, ...