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The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist
Throughout his 25-year career, alternative cartoonist/screenwriter Daniel Clowes has always been ahead of artistic and cultural movements. In the late 1980s his groundbreaking comic book series Eightball defined indie culture with wit, venom, and even a little sympathy. With each successive graphic novel (Ghost World, David Boring, Ice Haven, Wilson, Mister Wonderful ), Clowes has been praised for his emotionally compelling narratives that reimagine the ways that stories can be told in comics. The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist is the first monograph on this award-winning, New York Times–bestselling creator, compiled with his complete cooperation. It includes all of Clowes’s best-known illustrations as well as rare and previously unpublished work, all reproduced from the original art, and also includes essays by noted contributors such as designer Chip Kidd and cartoonist Chris Ware.
Praise for The Art of Daniel Clowes:
"Even if you're not an avid reader of [Clowes’s] books and strips (your loss), this volume will entice and entertain." —The Atlantic
"The real selling point of Modern Cartoonist is the art . . . some of which [has] been little-seen even by die-hard Clowes fans." —A.V. Club
“This excellent retrospective of his work from the late 1980s onward, edited by Alvin Buenaventura, showcases his visual gifts and always evolving style; his beautiful early stuff looks nothing like his beautiful later stuff.” —Newsday
“A perfect introduction.” —NPR.org
“One of the greatest cartoonists of the past several decades finally gets his due.” —The Washington Post
Praise for The Art of Daniel Clowes:
"Even if you're not an avid reader of [Clowes’s] books and strips (your loss), this volume will entice and entertain." —The Atlantic
"The real selling point of Modern Cartoonist is the art . . . some of which [has] been little-seen even by die-hard Clowes fans." —A.V. Club
“This excellent retrospective of his work from the late 1980s onward, edited by Alvin Buenaventura, showcases his visual gifts and always evolving style; his beautiful early stuff looks nothing like his beautiful later stuff.” —Newsday
“A perfect introduction.” —NPR.org
“One of the greatest cartoonists of the past several decades finally gets his due.” —The Washington Post
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2012
17 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 4, 2020
A look into the world and work of Daniel Clowes, this book has gotten me interested in how he uses the medium of comics. It would have been better to see more of his life than images of his work, but that is nitpicking. I expected it to be more of a biography or collection, but it had some academic essays by comic geeks and they made me get more interested in the theory behind the craft. It goes into discussions about the comic as a genre and how Clowes has specifically engaged with it in his work. Overall, a good book for someone interested in comics and the creative process that goes in making them. I am really interested in reading more of Clowes’ work now.
Side note: the masculinity of the comic world kept hitting me again and again as the artists mentioned in the book were mostly male, the reviewers were male, there were random shots of tits floating around, I occasioned to see the word ‘whore’ a lot... Not to say that Clowes or the others were sexist or something (even if they were, you can’t deduce it from this book. It was a time of general cynicism towards everything)
This was pretty definitive as a book on a comic legend from the 90s. There have obviously been a lot of changes over the years and what we know of the comic geek world today is pretty different from how it was back then. I wonder what changes we’d see in a book on a comic artist from today. Say, Kate Beaton. How’d that go?
Side note: the masculinity of the comic world kept hitting me again and again as the artists mentioned in the book were mostly male, the reviewers were male, there were random shots of tits floating around, I occasioned to see the word ‘whore’ a lot... Not to say that Clowes or the others were sexist or something (even if they were, you can’t deduce it from this book. It was a time of general cynicism towards everything)
This was pretty definitive as a book on a comic legend from the 90s. There have obviously been a lot of changes over the years and what we know of the comic geek world today is pretty different from how it was back then. I wonder what changes we’d see in a book on a comic artist from today. Say, Kate Beaton. How’d that go?
March 26, 2012
Lots of amazing stuff. Still as a big fan I feel that it needed much more photos of Clowes studio, and rare and unpublished art and less reprints of old covers. Still, it's a cool book.
February 3, 2025
This book offers a comprehensive exploration of graphic novelist and comic book artist Daniel Clowes, examining his work from multiple perspectives. It features an insightful interview with Clowes himself, alongside reflections from his peers, critics, and museum curators.
One of the highlights is its deep dive into Clowes' storytelling techniques and his mastery of visual language—how he employs comic and stylistic tropes to enhance narrative impact. The book is richly illustrated with beautifully laid-out, colored, and lettered panels from his works, showcasing his distinctive use of perspective, color palettes, and design to elevate comic art.
Having previously read some of his standout works, including Wilson, David Boring, and Ghost World, I especially appreciated this detailed exposition of his artistry and biography. An excellent resource for fans and those interested in the craft of graphic storytelling.
One of the highlights is its deep dive into Clowes' storytelling techniques and his mastery of visual language—how he employs comic and stylistic tropes to enhance narrative impact. The book is richly illustrated with beautifully laid-out, colored, and lettered panels from his works, showcasing his distinctive use of perspective, color palettes, and design to elevate comic art.
Having previously read some of his standout works, including Wilson, David Boring, and Ghost World, I especially appreciated this detailed exposition of his artistry and biography. An excellent resource for fans and those interested in the craft of graphic storytelling.
March 13, 2022
me parece una buena declaración comentar lo especial que es para mí daniel clowes. me introdujo a un mundo muy nuevo y a la vez me enseño muchas aristas de este. clowes es una persona provocativa, lo políticamente correcto queda bastante extra en su obra —desquicida— es fuerte, realista y extremadamente profunda. su profundidad es una extensión de la idealización que tiene clowes del mundo y la tristeza del inconformismo con ese resultado. aunque para la mayoria clowes parece un descarado a mi me parece la persona mas sensible del mundo. conecto con esa nostalgia de lo pasado y ese miedo constante a la ausencia de un cambio. bajo esa lucidez y profundidad crea unas historietas divertidas, completamente satíricas y emocionantes. clowes no pretende dar cátedra de nada y supongo que eso es lo que tanto me gusta. su arte es tan íntegro y sensible que me muestra cosas que jamás entendí de la vida y de mi existencia. en fin, que lo quiero mucho y este librito en su honor estuvo de 10.
September 19, 2021
Handsome coffee table monograph of Clowes, with nice reproductions of his work. Lots of analytical context, as well as peer acknowledgment. Great to see some full reprints of stories that were not originally published in non-comics publications.
November 16, 2012
"Every couple of years or so, when Daniel Clowes releases a new book, one can almost sense the rectal contraction across the collective seat of our humble profession." –Chris Ware
The same could be said for the readers of Clowes' work, too -- for excitement, instead! The Art of Daniel Clowes exceeded my expectations. We’re presented with an interview, personal life information, excerpts from his work, original illustrations, unpublished stuff, action-figures and tattoos inspired from his graphic novels, and a whole lotta other awesomeness from the World of Clowes.
But not only that, this book starts from the beginning through to present day breaking down all of his work with a fine-tooth comb, using specific panels to help ‘illustrate’ (see what I did there?) one of the many contributing writers’ many points, all of whom (I’m guessing, here) have undoubtedly felt that clenched butthole syndrome that Chris Ware was talking about. Really, it’s like reading a bunch of college essays written by the cool comic nerds in class (is there such a thing?), dissecting the Clowes-God’s graphic novels, using such terminology as: ‘semi-third person past-tense narrator’, or ‘present-tense third-person objective visual narration’, and ‘narraglyphically’. I didn’t even know writing could even be broken down that far.
If you could see me when reading Art, that’d be what swooning looks like. This book is geek love.
The same could be said for the readers of Clowes' work, too -- for excitement, instead! The Art of Daniel Clowes exceeded my expectations. We’re presented with an interview, personal life information, excerpts from his work, original illustrations, unpublished stuff, action-figures and tattoos inspired from his graphic novels, and a whole lotta other awesomeness from the World of Clowes.
But not only that, this book starts from the beginning through to present day breaking down all of his work with a fine-tooth comb, using specific panels to help ‘illustrate’ (see what I did there?) one of the many contributing writers’ many points, all of whom (I’m guessing, here) have undoubtedly felt that clenched butthole syndrome that Chris Ware was talking about. Really, it’s like reading a bunch of college essays written by the cool comic nerds in class (is there such a thing?), dissecting the Clowes-God’s graphic novels, using such terminology as: ‘semi-third person past-tense narrator’, or ‘present-tense third-person objective visual narration’, and ‘narraglyphically’. I didn’t even know writing could even be broken down that far.
If you could see me when reading Art, that’d be what swooning looks like. This book is geek love.
May 27, 2013
Absorbing a full-on collection of Clowe's work made me realize just how much I adore his flat, vibrant pop style, his compulsion towards the strange and absurd, and the unexpected ambivalence and delicacy of his characters. In addition to being able to better appreciate his art and the world of comics, the compendium also offered a view of the man behind the page--a solitary, intense Chicagoan, almost always captured involuntarily in photographs, with an unwavering dedication to his craft since a very young age. With a lovely balance of artist interviews, comic reviews and analysis, and gorgeous prints, The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist was satisfying all around. A great coffee-table book purchase!
December 29, 2015
It's always fun to see original art from work meant only to be seen in printed form. Obviously this isn't actual original art, but the artwork is photographed in such a way as to show the human hand that created it (blue-lines, corrections, etc.). For anyone obsessed with Clowes, this book will serve you well.
There's not quite as many "deep cuts" (stuff a fan hasn't seen before) as I'd hoped, but still a very worthwhile collection. My favorite parts were the photos of actual objects (usually bizarre tchotchkes) that inspired specific characters or drawings.
The essays are mostly interesting, especially those written by Clowes' friends (like Chris Ware) sharing anecdotes that give a peek into his personality. There was only one that was so boringly academic as to be hardly readable.
There's not quite as many "deep cuts" (stuff a fan hasn't seen before) as I'd hoped, but still a very worthwhile collection. My favorite parts were the photos of actual objects (usually bizarre tchotchkes) that inspired specific characters or drawings.
The essays are mostly interesting, especially those written by Clowes' friends (like Chris Ware) sharing anecdotes that give a peek into his personality. There was only one that was so boringly academic as to be hardly readable.
May 8, 2025
This beautiful book offers a comprehensive overview of cartoonist Daniel Clowes' career through "The "Death-Ray." Stuffed with art, interviews, essays and ephemera, it offers a deep dive into Clowes' meticulous vision.
The art is exquisite throughout, showing everything from early sketches to commissioned illustrations and New Yorker covers. It's also successful at conveying the craft with which Clowes works and thinks. (As you can tell, I'm a big fan. Even if I don't always understand what's happening in his books, I think he certainly does.)
Some of the early work is provocative for provocation's sake; there are definitely pages of juvenilia and over-the-top titillation. So be warned if that's a deal breaker for you.
At its best, though, Clowes work deconstructs those concepts, scrutinizing weirdness and alienation and male rage. (Although I think his strongest works, "Ghost World," "Patience" and "Monica," balance his point-of-view with female perspectives.)
His drawings are a pleasure to look at; they balance an ease of line with a push to fill the page, and so this book offers discoveries deep into the margins. The essays are strong too, with Chris Ware and Chip Kidd among those contributing reflections.
The art is exquisite throughout, showing everything from early sketches to commissioned illustrations and New Yorker covers. It's also successful at conveying the craft with which Clowes works and thinks. (As you can tell, I'm a big fan. Even if I don't always understand what's happening in his books, I think he certainly does.)
Some of the early work is provocative for provocation's sake; there are definitely pages of juvenilia and over-the-top titillation. So be warned if that's a deal breaker for you.
At its best, though, Clowes work deconstructs those concepts, scrutinizing weirdness and alienation and male rage. (Although I think his strongest works, "Ghost World," "Patience" and "Monica," balance his point-of-view with female perspectives.)
His drawings are a pleasure to look at; they balance an ease of line with a push to fill the page, and so this book offers discoveries deep into the margins. The essays are strong too, with Chris Ware and Chip Kidd among those contributing reflections.
January 11, 2020
It's insane but I completely forgot that I went to the associated exhibition when it debuted in Oakland. I was drinking and doing drugs back then and probably slightly blotto when I went which would explain the lack of memories. AT ANY RATE, Clowes is far & away one of my favorite & most influential artist-writers ever and I relished being able to dive into original art, odds & ends, the essays on narration – but it all left me wanting more of the unseen stuff, i.e. the Boredom board game, more sketchbook pages, some of the smaller bits like the unused Victor Banana j-card art blown way up instead of postage stamp-sized... I would have gladly substituted a lot of the text for that stuff. Still, killer book, and inspired me to return to Todd Hignite's truly indispensable In The Studio.
December 29, 2025
Having not read any of Clowes work but have a lot of it on my wishlist, I feel that I am now equipped to take a deep dive into his work with a slightly nuanced understanding of how his mind works when it comes to his art and stories. It serves as a great teaser to his work without spoiling any story beats because ts more of a gallery or showcase! and a great showcase at that. It's a joy flicking through seeing the unpublished art and clowes mind working away in his sketchbook work.... always ove a peak into a sketchbook! 5 star art!!
This will be definitely worth another read after I have read some of his works.
.....So which graphic novel shall I begin with?!
This will be definitely worth another read after I have read some of his works.
.....So which graphic novel shall I begin with?!
May 31, 2025
This collection includes a number of really interesting essays about Clowes’ work that both validated and further explained what I was noticing when I read his work a number of years ago. I tried once before to read his early work and got distracted so I’ll want to go back to that now and also read the original Eightball which will also give me a chance to relive the books I read in their original serialized form.
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August 18, 2025the ephemera is the coolest part! I agree with other reviewers, too much reprinting of stuff that a clowes-head like me already has. Also, some of the essays are really fucking annoying- comic criticism operates at a frighteningly low levels of the intellecutal discipline- it's about as stupid as what you'd hear in the art gallery world. Just drivel. Sub-media-studies level discourse. Glad I bought this at a discount :D
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June 9, 2018This book is very good i love every thing
June 1, 2022
Gorgeous art layout. Essays are eh.
January 10, 2025
5 star biography/essay/comic retrospective - 2 star digital formatting by Amazon.
January 23, 2016
A good survey of Daniel Clowes’ career, with plenty of biographical insights.
I used to live for the next issue of Eightball. I found his drawing style engaging — not true for me with many comic artists — and his sensibility was exactly on target. The fact that he once drew the House of Boris sign, then a North Side Chicago landmark, sealed the deal. Clowes is near the top of my list of all-time favorite cartoonists, which for the record also includes (not in exact order):
Charles Addams
R. Crumb
Ernie Bushmiller
Gary Larson
Bill Watterson
Roz Chast
Chris Ware
Bil Keane
Charles Schulz
Gahan Wilson
Jack T. Chick
I used to live for the next issue of Eightball. I found his drawing style engaging — not true for me with many comic artists — and his sensibility was exactly on target. The fact that he once drew the House of Boris sign, then a North Side Chicago landmark, sealed the deal. Clowes is near the top of my list of all-time favorite cartoonists, which for the record also includes (not in exact order):
Charles Addams
R. Crumb
Ernie Bushmiller
Gary Larson
Bill Watterson
Roz Chast
Chris Ware
Bil Keane
Charles Schulz
Gahan Wilson
Jack T. Chick
December 3, 2012
This is an outstanding retrospective of Clowes' work. I particularly loved the essay by Chris Ware; I felt invited as an awkward observer to their journeys and genius. (Also, it was a relevation to finally match Clowes up with the artwork on The Earwax Diner menus--of course!). Pick up this book and marvel.
March 14, 2013
Definitely enjoyed the retrospective approach to Clowes' body of work from his early childhood doodlings to his forays into the fields of album and poster design. What I could have used a wee bit less of were some of the deconstruction focused text passages that were an absolute slog to read through.
April 1, 2015
This book was a time portal to the early '90s for me. I'd forgotten what an impact Clowes had on me when I came across a couple issues of "Eightball" as a comic-loving teenager.
I doubt that many high-schoolers today can know the particular type of boredom we had in those pre-internet days, which Clowes tapped into like no other...
I doubt that many high-schoolers today can know the particular type of boredom we had in those pre-internet days, which Clowes tapped into like no other...
March 20, 2014
A couple of the essays are a little much, but mostly this is a fascinating insight into Clowes and his work, with lavish and generous amounts of reproduced artwork and associated bits and pieces. Clowes is a genius, and this book is an absolute delight.
December 30, 2013
I love Dan Clowes and the first half of the book I really enjoyed. The second half where it goes more into depth about his later works like Wilson, David Boring, Ice Haven is just ok since I am a bigger fan of his Eightball stuff.
August 11, 2016
A great collection of pictures, extracts, interviews etc that I found really satisfying and intriguing as a fan of Clowes work.
July 23, 2017
Christmas came early this year!
August 22, 2013
A beautiful book and a worthy subject, but I would have preferred more art and less analysis. Even fellow cartooning heavyweight Chris Ware has remarkably little of interest to say about Clowes.
June 6, 2014
I just want to be Daniel Clowes' best friend. Like his original best friend, before he had any other friends.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews