Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art (1993)
by Scott McCloud
Wowow, i've been hooked recently, devouring every comic book mulch has been giving me. This was one that i've had on my radar since art school, it was referenced a lot in certain foundational design courses. I'm glad to have found it again, especially now, it seems to capture perfectly what my interest in design had been in the first place, to communicate and be understood.
I like how functional everything feels in this, there is a ton of poetry to scott's understanding of how a comic 'works' but it never feels like he is grasping to produce affect that isn't (shouldn't) be there. The whole thing is also hopeful which is comforting right now.