Spider-Man creator Lee sets out to teach everything he knows about drawing and comic book characters. The book focuses primarily on action-adventure comics, but touches upon other genres and styles, such as romance, humor, horror, and the widely influential manga style.

A brief history of comic books-- by a guy who lived them -- Tools of the trade -- The basics: form, perspective & foreshortening -- The human head -- Amazing anatomy, action & acting -- Characters & costumes -- Bring on the backgrounds -- The life behind the layouts -- Peerless penciling -- Imaginative inking -- Lively lettering -- Crafting the color -- Commanding covers -- Getting work -- Suggested reading, websites, schools & suppliers.