Between the panels

Whether you already read and appreciate comics or haven’t given the form a chance, Emerald City’s store manager Chad Rivard recommends Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. First published in 1993, this consideration of the comic book as an art form is itself a comic book. McCloud’s style is lucid and accessible, and there’s no denying his passion and smarts as he defines comics, explores their history (reaching back to Egyptian glyphs) and explains how we read comics to form meaning. “Most of the magic happens between the panels,” says Rivard, echoing one of the lessons of the book.

For those who live and breathe comics, another vital resource is iFanboy.com. The site includes articles, podcasts and its selection of the best illustrated panels of the week.

Can you read comic books on the iPad? Yup. Marvel, DC and other publishers have apps that enable you to read both the latest and older titles. ComiXology.com is a source for digital comics that can be read on your iPad, Kindle, Android or iPhone.

This article appears in May 3-9, 2012.