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Will Eisner: A Dreamer's Life in Comics
In Will A Dreamer's Life in Comics , Michael Schumacher delves beneath Eisner's public persona to draw connections between his life and his art. Eisner's career spanned a remarkable eight decades, from his scrappy survival at the dawn of comics' Golden Age in the late 1930s to the beginning of the twenty-first century, when Pulitzers began going to graphic novels (a term Eisner is widely credited with creating). Schumacher's extensive research and interviews with Eisner's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as other comics creators who have built upon his work, create a detailed portrait of Eisner the man and Eisner the artist.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published November 9, 2010
8 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Michael Schumacher
46 books27 followersA lifelong resident of the Great Lakes region, Michael Schumacher is the author of twelve books, including biographies of Allen Ginsberg, Phil Ochs, and Eric Clapton, and the award-winning book Wreck of the Carl D. He has also written twenty-five documentaries on Great Lakes shipwrecks and lighthouses.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 24, 2011
Do people who wrote autobiographical stories lend themselves to third party biographies? Do we need a Harvey Pekar biography? Eisner certainly covered the high points/greatest struggles of his life in his work...so I'm not sure the world needed this book.
That said, this bio gave more context to Eisner's work than the documentary "Will Eisner Profession: Cartoonist," but almost too much context. In many parts of the book Schumacher shifts the focus away from Eisner to breifly profile other artists, cartoonists, and authors Eisner worked with. While helpful, this really made the bio read as if it were written about the people around Eisner, than the man himself.
For a livelier, more personal account of cartooning in Eisner's time and its emergence as an artform I'd recommend Jules Feiffer's memoir "Backing into Forward."
That said, this bio gave more context to Eisner's work than the documentary "Will Eisner Profession: Cartoonist," but almost too much context. In many parts of the book Schumacher shifts the focus away from Eisner to breifly profile other artists, cartoonists, and authors Eisner worked with. While helpful, this really made the bio read as if it were written about the people around Eisner, than the man himself.
For a livelier, more personal account of cartooning in Eisner's time and its emergence as an artform I'd recommend Jules Feiffer's memoir "Backing into Forward."
February 27, 2011
Glaring error on the publication of DROPSIE AVENUE. It was published in 1995, not after 9/11. The book is okay, but this is certainly not the biography that Eisner deserves.
January 9, 2011
I thought I knew a fair bit about Will Eisner. Many of his comics that I've read are at least quasi-autobiographical, and I had read interviews with other comic writers about his influence on their work. This book sets out to give greater insight into a comics pioneer. The subtitle is "A Dreamer's Life in Comics" and most of the book focuses on his work, not only on the comics that bear his name, but also on armed services safety manuals and other commercial work. Eisner may have been a dreamer, but the book emphasizes his pragmatism; he was proud of his business acumen, and made sure that was part of what he passed on to the young comic artists he mentored. While other artists signed their work away, he made sure he understood every aspect of the business and how it pertained to his property. Unlike many of his generation, he worked all sides of the business.
The book has a couple of flaws. It includes some photos and art, but not nearly enough. It often describes comic panels in great detail rather than simply printing the panel, ironic given the time devoted to quotes such as this one, from Rodolphe Topffer:
"The drawings without their text would have only vague meaning; the text, without the drawings, would have non meaning at all. The combination of the two makes a kind of novel."
I knew the breadth and scope of Eisner's work, but the other thing I had not previously realized was the extent to which he wanted to break new ground. I had somehow assumed that he was a pioneer because he was the first to do what he did; I didn't realize that he did it because he wanted to be a pioneer, if that makes sense. He worked until the last days of his life, striving and experimenting and breaking new ground.
In an interview about his favorite Spirit installment, "The Story of Gerhard Shnobble," Eisner said "The theme I was working with is that everyone, no matter how small they seem, has a moment of glory. I'm fascinated by the fact that the world has billions of people, each of whom does small things. And I'm convinced that small acts can have huge ramifications. I just can't get out of my mind the belief that our existence is part of a larger scheme." Schumacher does an excellent job of explaining how Eisner lived that philosophy as well as putting it to paper.
The book has a couple of flaws. It includes some photos and art, but not nearly enough. It often describes comic panels in great detail rather than simply printing the panel, ironic given the time devoted to quotes such as this one, from Rodolphe Topffer:
"The drawings without their text would have only vague meaning; the text, without the drawings, would have non meaning at all. The combination of the two makes a kind of novel."
I knew the breadth and scope of Eisner's work, but the other thing I had not previously realized was the extent to which he wanted to break new ground. I had somehow assumed that he was a pioneer because he was the first to do what he did; I didn't realize that he did it because he wanted to be a pioneer, if that makes sense. He worked until the last days of his life, striving and experimenting and breaking new ground.
In an interview about his favorite Spirit installment, "The Story of Gerhard Shnobble," Eisner said "The theme I was working with is that everyone, no matter how small they seem, has a moment of glory. I'm fascinated by the fact that the world has billions of people, each of whom does small things. And I'm convinced that small acts can have huge ramifications. I just can't get out of my mind the belief that our existence is part of a larger scheme." Schumacher does an excellent job of explaining how Eisner lived that philosophy as well as putting it to paper.
February 2, 2017
Some books call for retrospection, while reading. You see, while I had been a fan of Eisner's output for many years, I knew nothing about him. Sure he created The Spirit and capped his career with The Plot, but what drove him? Who was he? This book exposes that in very pleasant a quick reading prose.
For a long time now, there has been a discussion in the comic book industry about who was the inventor of the graphic novel. When I use that term, I'm not referring the books collecting the monthly outputs of the major players, but a book conceived, written/drawn from beginning to end not to be presented serially but to be put together as one coherent piece. Eisner liked to claim that throne while alive, and after his passing and reading this book I have a hard time disagreeing with him.
Eisner was never happy with the serial nature of comics nor the marginalized place pop and mass culture placed them. While the book traces his career through many ups and downs and varying experiments, a stint drawing manuals for the US Army just one of these sideline ventures, there appears to be a driving force to create larger and more literary content throughout his career. All his stories are personal if not autobiographical. Often while reading I had to put the book down and reread parts of his work, as I now had a different and more informed viewpoint to look at them through. Schumacher does a wonderful job outlining this undercurrent drive of Eisners and following it till explodes full fledged in the 1970s. While others in the industry tried to keep pulling him back to produce more Spirit material, Eisner never budged after that on what he truly wanted to do -- create more enduring work that left a significant message.
His last book The Plot does this. But, more on a review of that book.
For a long time now, there has been a discussion in the comic book industry about who was the inventor of the graphic novel. When I use that term, I'm not referring the books collecting the monthly outputs of the major players, but a book conceived, written/drawn from beginning to end not to be presented serially but to be put together as one coherent piece. Eisner liked to claim that throne while alive, and after his passing and reading this book I have a hard time disagreeing with him.
Eisner was never happy with the serial nature of comics nor the marginalized place pop and mass culture placed them. While the book traces his career through many ups and downs and varying experiments, a stint drawing manuals for the US Army just one of these sideline ventures, there appears to be a driving force to create larger and more literary content throughout his career. All his stories are personal if not autobiographical. Often while reading I had to put the book down and reread parts of his work, as I now had a different and more informed viewpoint to look at them through. Schumacher does a wonderful job outlining this undercurrent drive of Eisners and following it till explodes full fledged in the 1970s. While others in the industry tried to keep pulling him back to produce more Spirit material, Eisner never budged after that on what he truly wanted to do -- create more enduring work that left a significant message.
His last book The Plot does this. But, more on a review of that book.
January 12, 2011
Having read _Shop Talk_ and the forewords to the KSP versions of Eisner's work, and flipping through the DC versions I thought I knew a lot about Will Eisner. A lot of this book was familiar to me, but the interviews with actual people were in depth and fantastic. The bibliography for this was impressive and the research was extensive.
I am quite glad to have won this book from Goodreads.com (there's the government disclaimer) and was planning on releasing this book into the wilds of the local Library, but I'm keeping it. I know I'll be re-reading parts of this book often.
I will also look at other Michael Schumacher books like The Edmund Fitzgerald (there's a song about it) and his humor guidebook.
I am quite glad to have won this book from Goodreads.com (there's the government disclaimer) and was planning on releasing this book into the wilds of the local Library, but I'm keeping it. I know I'll be re-reading parts of this book often.
I will also look at other Michael Schumacher books like The Edmund Fitzgerald (there's a song about it) and his humor guidebook.
March 2, 2020
Superb biography of the comic book legend, covering all aspects of his life and the effect he had on the comic book industry. Schumacher does an excellent job chronicling Eisner's life and how it affected his work, from growing up Jewish in Anti-Semitic neighborhoods to the lose of his daughter, all which fueled many of his classic works, from "A Contract With God" to "Into the Heart of the Storm". He shows a complex professional who truly believed comics could be elevated to a higher art form and did a lot to bring them there. A fantastic read from beginning to end, especially for comic book fans.
November 22, 2022
A long examination of one of the greatest American artists, often shuttled to the 'Humor' section. There is a lot included. Including much that shouldn't have been.
I've been a fan of Eisner as soon as I first saw his Spirit work as a wee child. As the decades passed, I got to read all that I could find (From The Spirit to P*S to the graphic novels), spent a little time with Eisner and study his amazing skills at storytelling. However, despite reading the many interviews and over views of Eisner work, I never could understand how it all actually connected. Moreover, how The Spirit and P*S came about and published. I also really wanted to know the exuberant reappearance of Eisner in the '70s. The author answers all of this.
The narrative is written well, but there are areas that are weak. That gets lost in the larger mistakes made.
1) The author is not alone as a contemporary writer of people's lives that does the dashed job of losing sight of the subject and wandering far afield and seems to nearly forget just what the subject is. A good 5th of the book shouldn't be included due to this.
2) Here's still another recent author that has many pages of footnotes, yet clutters the narrative directly quoting, titles and authors of books. A decent editor should have corralled this.
3) Here's still another recent writer who swings the political sword. If only the author had noted Eisner's effort for most of his life of producing content keeping political views to himself.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.
I've been a fan of Eisner as soon as I first saw his Spirit work as a wee child. As the decades passed, I got to read all that I could find (From The Spirit to P*S to the graphic novels), spent a little time with Eisner and study his amazing skills at storytelling. However, despite reading the many interviews and over views of Eisner work, I never could understand how it all actually connected. Moreover, how The Spirit and P*S came about and published. I also really wanted to know the exuberant reappearance of Eisner in the '70s. The author answers all of this.
The narrative is written well, but there are areas that are weak. That gets lost in the larger mistakes made.
1) The author is not alone as a contemporary writer of people's lives that does the dashed job of losing sight of the subject and wandering far afield and seems to nearly forget just what the subject is. A good 5th of the book shouldn't be included due to this.
2) Here's still another recent author that has many pages of footnotes, yet clutters the narrative directly quoting, titles and authors of books. A decent editor should have corralled this.
3) Here's still another recent writer who swings the political sword. If only the author had noted Eisner's effort for most of his life of producing content keeping political views to himself.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.
March 2, 2019
Uma biografia de Will Eisner que é também uma grande homenagem aos quadrinhos. Passando da era de ouro dos quadrinhos de heróis até a "invenção" da Graphic Novel, Eisner fez de tudo na arte sequencial (o que não é o mesmo que falar que tudo que ele fez foi bom). O livro apresenta, além de detalhes extensos da vida de Eisner, bons exemplos dos trabalhos gráficos dele. Vale muito pra quem saber mais sobre a vida desse artista ou simplesmente quer entender melhor o universo dos quadrinhos.
September 9, 2018
Definiria como uma ambientação geral do cenário dos quadrinhos, claro com o foco no Will.
Em várias partes a narrativa era tediosa.
Em várias partes a narrativa era tediosa.
August 9, 2022
A very detailed account of Eisner's life. It suffered a bit from extensive name-dropping in a few sections, but was still fairly interesting to see the arc of his life and career.
August 30, 2012
With the exception of the novel's villains, who are largely caricatures motivated by greed or a lust for power, Eisner's characters in A Life Force are complex individuals trapped in a harsh world of daily survival, forced to make decisions that under other circumstances they might never have faced. They are the victims of life -- not the one they were raised to believe was possible, but the one they are forced to live. The Depression and the European immigration to New York City brought on by Hitler's persecution of the Jews brings into fine focus the way otherwise decent human beings discover sometimes shady ways of surviving. People find ways to rationalize their behavior and overlook the behavior of others, all for the sake of survival. They are no different from the cockroaches scurrying around the dark corners of the city, struggling to stay alive.
August 4, 2019
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. I'm a big fan of graphic novels and their history and thought I would enjoy this look at one of the pioneers, and I'm pleased to say that I was correct about that. I learned a lot about Will Eisner and his work, and I came away with admiration for both his art and his business sense. He's a great example to artists of all types that you don't have to sign away your art in order to make a living with it. My only quibble with the book is that I would have liked seeing more of his art. Long descriptions of some of his comic panels could have been replaced with his actual work and produced a stronger book in my opinion.
March 15, 2015
Will Eisner's life spanned the history and evolution of comics, from the cheap disposable entertainment of the 1930's to the award winning graphic novels we're familiar with today. Very early on Eisner recognized comics as a unique storytelling medium with potential far beyond what was being produced in the late 1930's. At the age of 19 and with $15 he started his own comics studio where he created his now famous "The Spirit." The biography goes on to cover his life during the war years, the comic book scare of the 1950's and Eisner's own ground-breaking graphic novels. If you liked "The Ten-Cent Plague" or Michael Chabon's "Kavalier and Clay," I think you'll enjoy this one.
December 28, 2010
I'm really glad I won this book through Good Reads first-reads. It’s not the type of book I would normally pick up but it was really interesting. I'm a big fan of the Contract with God trilogy so it was interesting to learn more about the author’s life. He is a big part of making graphic novels what they are today. In fact he is the person credited with coining the term "Graphic Novel". I would recommend this to anyone interested in the history of graphic novels.
October 30, 2011
This is a fascinating biography of Will Eisner, who had an enormous impact on the early days of comics and the development of the graphic novel later in life. One thing that keeps being mentioned over and over again was that Eisner was a businessman first and foremost. He wouldn't work with anyone unless he had a contract with the details worked out. Most comic artists weren't that great as business people and suffered from their ignorance.
December 28, 2010
It was an ok book, I really like Will Eisner, I am a great comic book fan and all the other books related to it, it was really detailed, but I miss having more pictures of his work, I draw some myself and have always been interested in all of this kind of reading matter. If you are into this kind of art and comic anything this is a good book to have.
July 3, 2011
A very good bio and history both of Eisner and the comics industry itself. There's enough info here to truly flesh out the significance of Eisner's work (especially his autobiographical graphic novels like A Contract with God) without losing the reader in minutiae.
Highly recommended for anyone thinking of a creative career as well as comics fans. Now to go and read The Spirit....
Highly recommended for anyone thinking of a creative career as well as comics fans. Now to go and read The Spirit....
August 28, 2012
Exemplifying Will Eisner's skills as a businessman and a successful promoter of a more mature vision of comics. Describes much of his later works as erratic in quality and content, but celebrates his support of the art.
August 16, 2016
Wonderful account and real life history of Will Eisner's lifelong quest to have comics accepted as a legitimate art form. Especially fascinating since I was interviewed for the book having witnessed some of this firsthand as a student of Eisner's and then as his studio assistant.
January 28, 2016
The book was a pretty comprehensive overview of Eisner's work. I especially liked learning more about the Eisner & Iger shop from the 1930's, a place I'd read about quite a bit in reading other comic histories/biographies, but didn't know that much about.
December 7, 2010
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. I will review it once I've received it, and read it.
Read
July 12, 2011It's a great biography. Super researched so a little long.
August 25, 2023
Uma extensa e detalhada biografia de Will Eisner. Conta-nos a história e o desenvolvimento das histórias de quadradinhos até à criação da "Graphic Novel" e o contributo dado por Will Eisner.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews