Will Eisner > Quotes

“Comics deal with two fundamental communicating devices: words and images. Admittedly this is an arbitrary separation. But, since in the modern world of communication they are treated as independent disciplines, it seems valid. Actually, the are derivatives of a single origin and in the skillful employment of words and images lies the expressive potential of the medium.”
― Will Eisner, Comics and Sequential Art

“We have this history of impossible solutions to insoluble problems.”
― Will Eisner

“Thus, sped by currents of curiosity afloat the swift river of rumor do secrets sail to strange ports.”
― Will Eisner, Comics and Sequential Art

“Still,[...] in all forms of comics the sequential artist relies upon the tacit cooperation of the reader. This cooperation is based upon the convention of reading and the common cognitive disciplines. Indeed, it is this very voluntary cooperation, so unique to comics, that underlies the contract between artist and audience.”
― Will Eisner, Comics and Sequential Art

“Living in a big city can be compared to existing in a jungle. One becomes a creature of the environment. The response to the rhythms and choreography is visceral and before long a dweller's conduct is as distinctive as those of a jungle inhabitant.”
― Will Eisner, City People Notebook

“You are learned in the Word of God--And if you know His Word, you know His Will.”
― Will Eisner

“Le premier titre de travail de cet ouvrage était « Shorts Subjects » car je craignais que "Minor Miracles" ne sonne religieux et limité par conséquent à des histoires étranges. Mais j’ai fini par y revenir.
J’avais l’intention de me pencher sur un phénomène de l’existence en adoptant un point de vue qui s’amplifie avec l’âge : la vie humaine est ponctuée de miracles.
Je voulais adopter ici le ton chantant des légendes populaires juives, pour retrouver une impression d’oralité plus que de lecture. Je les ai dites comme on aurait pu me les raconter.
L’écriture était facile : toutes ces histoires, ou d’autres comme elles, m’entourent depuis l’enfance.
Pour moi, le processus d’écriture commence avec les images, immédiatement suivies par le texte ou les dialogues. J’ai utilisé un crayon bleu léger pour composer les scènes et j’ai crayonné par-dessus avec un critérium 2B.”
― Will Eisner, Will Eisner : Empreintes

“The comic strip is no longer the comic strip, but in reality an illustrated novel. It is new and raw in form just now, but material for limitless intelligent development. And eventually and inevitably it will a legitimate medium for the best writers and artists. It is already the embryo of a new art form.”
― Will Eisner