Cartoon and Story Illustration (1945) comic books

Possibly the earliest art instruction publication to deal extensively with the comic book field.

Cartoon and Story Illustration (1945) by Robert Peterson. Published by MSR Publications, New York. Possibly the earlies art instruction publication to deal extensively with the comic book field and to promote comic book illustrating as a profession. Covers scripting, continuity, illustrating, and inking techniques. Includes action adventure, a Tarzan-like page, and costumed hero pages. Five instructional chapters cover: 1) Newspaper Syndicate Strips; 2) Comic Book Magazines; 3) Advertising Strips; 4) General Illustration; and 5) Writing Story Strip Continuity. Robert Peterson (show in a photo at this drawing board) is described as having "had many years experience in the comic field as a writer, artist and editor. From the introduction: "Over 15 million "comic book" magazines are published each month. The comic book field is one of the largest markets in America for the free lance artist and writer, and the stepping-stone to newspaper-strip and advertising illustration, as well as general magazine illustration. There is a lack of writers and artists who can handle this rather specialized work. Consequently, the field is wide open. It is the purpose of this book to teach you how to write comic book continuity if you are a writer, and how to illustrate the continuity if you are an artist, and to open an interesting and profitable new field to you--with the hope that both you and the industry may benefit thereby." We'll never know how many budding artists were influenced by this how to book. Maybe this was the doorway that brought your favorite artist into comics! We can only wonder! Published by MRS Publications, 8.5-in. x 11-in., 52 pages, no cover price.