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Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26In Push the Wall, Frank Miller chronicles the creation of his most iconic works such as Sin City, 300, Ronin, Daredevil, Wolverine and notably, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, which, alongside Batman: Year One served as the foundation for all Batman film and animated adaptations for the past forty years.
Miller reveals how he got his first breaks, how he poured his own life into his darkly realistic characters, how he fought against comic book censorship of the early 1980s, and how he introduced manga-style storytelling to US readers decade before popular anime and manga began tiptoeing into pop culture. Miller transformed the way comics are told and this is how he did it.
Push the Wall is a masterclass in the art of storytelling and an intimate look inside the mind and life of a creative genius. With over a dozen illustrations, chosen from seminal moments from Miller's art, and organised by the sixteen lessons that meant most to Miller, this reveals the man behind some of the most exciting stories of our age.
Miller reveals how he got his first breaks, how he poured his own life into his darkly realistic characters, how he fought against comic book censorship of the early 1980s, and how he introduced manga-style storytelling to US readers decade before popular anime and manga began tiptoeing into pop culture. Miller transformed the way comics are told and this is how he did it.
Push the Wall is a masterclass in the art of storytelling and an intimate look inside the mind and life of a creative genius. With over a dozen illustrations, chosen from seminal moments from Miller's art, and organised by the sixteen lessons that meant most to Miller, this reveals the man behind some of the most exciting stories of our age.
- GenresWritingNonfictionComics
224 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
2 people are currently reading
2647 people want to read
About the author
Frank Miller
1,358 books5,382 followersFrank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Frank Miller’s writing voice is that of tough guy film noir detective. He refers to the location of his Manhattan studio as Hell’s Kitchen. He recounts getting mugged, or nearly so, in Greenwich Village. His version of New York City sounds a lot like The Dark Knight’s Gotham City.
This autobiography will appeal to anyone wanting to succeed in comics or screenwriting. Best known for his comics, Miller was the screenwriter for the 1990 film RoboCop 2, (not one of the greatest films of all time). His later project, Sin City, was a successful comic and film. He has an interesting take on the comparison of film to comics. He writes, "In some ways, comics can’t compete with movies, but that’s precisely why it’s foolish to pit one form against the other, or to overstate their similarities. They are cousins, not siblings. Better the comic book cartoonist play to the medium’s own strengths, not compete with cinema. There’s no point in that, nothing to gain. Of course, we can learn from each other, but to turn one into a pale imitation of the other serves only to denigrate both. If you can imagine it, you can write it. If you have the skills, you can draw it. This notion propelled my work from then on.”
I found it gutsy that Miller spoke of his alcoholism. He insists that artists need to have clear heads and good working habits to succeed.
This autobiography will appeal to anyone wanting to succeed in comics or screenwriting. Best known for his comics, Miller was the screenwriter for the 1990 film RoboCop 2, (not one of the greatest films of all time). His later project, Sin City, was a successful comic and film. He has an interesting take on the comparison of film to comics. He writes, "In some ways, comics can’t compete with movies, but that’s precisely why it’s foolish to pit one form against the other, or to overstate their similarities. They are cousins, not siblings. Better the comic book cartoonist play to the medium’s own strengths, not compete with cinema. There’s no point in that, nothing to gain. Of course, we can learn from each other, but to turn one into a pale imitation of the other serves only to denigrate both. If you can imagine it, you can write it. If you have the skills, you can draw it. This notion propelled my work from then on.”
I found it gutsy that Miller spoke of his alcoholism. He insists that artists need to have clear heads and good working habits to succeed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was a teenager when Frank Miller was in his prime (e.g., Daredevil, Ronin, The Dark Knight, 300, & Sin City).
I bought everything he produced. I was a huge fan.
I loved this book because it reveals all the behind-the-scenes details that I had no idea about.
For example, DC Comics took a huge chance on the young Miller with their star heroes.
I didn't know that Ronin was a semi-flop, and that despite that, DC bet on Miller again for "The Dark Knight Returns."
The only reason I deducted one star is that I had hoped for more illustrations.
I knew it was a standard book (not a graphic novel), but still, it's Frank Miller, folks! C'mon!
It would have been even better if Miller had made some NEW illustrations just for this book.
Instead, the few drawings in the book are taken from his various works—nothing new.
If you overlook that slight disappointment, it's a 5-star book that should be part of your Miller collection.
DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an advanced copy.
I bought everything he produced. I was a huge fan.
I loved this book because it reveals all the behind-the-scenes details that I had no idea about.
For example, DC Comics took a huge chance on the young Miller with their star heroes.
I didn't know that Ronin was a semi-flop, and that despite that, DC bet on Miller again for "The Dark Knight Returns."
The only reason I deducted one star is that I had hoped for more illustrations.
I knew it was a standard book (not a graphic novel), but still, it's Frank Miller, folks! C'mon!
It would have been even better if Miller had made some NEW illustrations just for this book.
Instead, the few drawings in the book are taken from his various works—nothing new.
If you overlook that slight disappointment, it's a 5-star book that should be part of your Miller collection.
DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I requested an ARC thinking this was going to be Frank Miller’s life story in the form of a graphic novel. I somehow missed that it is his writing with already published pictures from time to time. So, when I opened it, I was disappointed. Then I read the first page and fell in love with it.
The advice Frank Miller gives is for everyone. Not just those that want to get into comics or writing. Mr. Miller has filled this book of stories of his life and career with great life lessons that everyone will benefit from.
Sit back, learn, and enjoy the artwork.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
The advice Frank Miller gives is for everyone. Not just those that want to get into comics or writing. Mr. Miller has filled this book of stories of his life and career with great life lessons that everyone will benefit from.
Sit back, learn, and enjoy the artwork.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy
Frank's nugget's of wisdom shine out in this memoir like bits of gold in a energetic stream.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews