Macromedia Flash is the standard for Web animation. But as more and more animators are discovering, it can also be used to produce animations for television efficiently, inexpensively and without compromising quality. In the new book FLASH MX -- DESIGN FOR TV AND VIDEO, authors Janet Galore and Todd Kelsey focus on the evolution of Macromedia’s Flash from a fairly simple Internet animation tool to the sophisticated program that is currently being used for high-end television broadcast.

Mike and Sully will get a new look when U.S.-based manga publisher Tokyopop releases a graphic novel based on the Disney/Pixar property MONSTERS, INC. The 104-page paperback manga version of the hit CG-animated film, which features collectible stickers of the entire monster cast, will hit the shelves of bookstores and comic book retailers in October 2002, just after the film's North American DVD/VHS release.

A new book is available to teach the fundamentals of writing for feature animation. GARDNER'S GUIDE TO FEATURE ANIMATION WRITING: THE WRITER'S ROAD MAP, by Marilyn Webber, teaches how to develop marketable animation stories and scripts. The basics of writing for animated features are described along with the distinctions between animation and live-action scripts and how to examine feature animation genres. In addition, readers are given the tools to create cohesive plot structures, characters, original scenes and dialogue, including how to integrate comedy into an animation screenplay.

LEGAL ACTION COMICS, a 256-page paperback featuring comic strips by over seventy of the world's top cartooning talents, will make its debut at Comic-Con International in July 19 - 22, 2001. Contributors include the legendary Robert Crumb, Pulitzer prize winner Art Spiegelman, Robert Williams, Kim Deitch, Mary Fleener, Gary Panter, Spain Rodriguez, Jay Lynch, Tony Millionaire, Kaz, Julie Doucet and dozens of other renowned cartoonists.

Animator Michel Gagné will be releasing the first issue of ZED, his new comic series, this coming September. ZED is an ongoing comic book story featuring an alien on an intergalactic adventure full of twist and turns. "This is an all-age book, but it has a strong edge to it. Without taking myself too seriously, I want to make this an epic, and run the full gamut of emotions," says Gagné.

Debuting in April, TwoMorrows Publishing is launching its new quarterly magazine entitled, DRAW! Edited by Mike Manley, DRAW! is a professional "how-to" magazine for comics artists, cartoonists and animators. The first issue features articles by Dave Gibbons, Jerry Ordway, John Costanza, Shane Glines and many other pros sharing tips and tricks. The magazine will feature demonstrations ranging from penciling and inking techniques to coloring, lettering, storyboarding, Photoshop skills and more. Bret Blevins designed the cover for the first issue.

Pierre Lambert's new book BLANCHE NEIGE (SNOW WHITE) delves into the art behind Disney's SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. It serves as a showcase for story sketches, inspirational paintings, rough and finished animation drawings, cels and background paintings drawn from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and private collections around the world, including many never-before-published images.

Ed Hooks is bringing his "Acting for Animators" seminars to book form. Arriving in stores in December, ACTING FOR ANIMATORS explores the connections between thinking and physical action and thinking and emotion. He also includes effective character analysis and the dynamics of a scene. The book also includes a CD-Rom featuring video-clips of improvs based on the seven essentials of acting and highlights of Rudolph Laban's movement theory. Hooks has taught acting for animators' classes around the globe since 1996. His new book will sell for US$18.95.

Two new storyboarding books, STORYBOARDING 101: A CRASH COURSE IN PROFESSIONAL STORYBOARDING by James O. Fraioli and STORYBOARDS: MOTION IN ART, 2ND EDITION by Mark Simon, are currently on the shelves. STORYBOARDING 101 is written for individuals looking to break into storyboarding but don't know where to start. The book features concise information on both the mechanics of the art and how the business works. James O. Fraioli has storyboarded THE TEMP, WILD AMERICA, ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS and EIGHT HEADS IN A DUFFEL BAG.

Animation-Books.com, in association with ANiMATO!, the animation magazine,
has announced the results of an internet poll of the best animation books
of all time, and THE ILLUSION OF LIFE: DISNEY ANIMATION by Frank Thomas and
Ollie Johnston tops the list. While the list may be biased toward more
recent, easily available English publications, few would argue that this,
for once, is a solid list, and every title belongs in one's animation
library. According to Animation-Books.com, "Polling for the

John Libbey & Company Ltd. has published WALT DISNEY AND EUROPE by Robin
Allan. The work is a study of the way Europe and European culture
influenced Walt Disney and his artists in the making of the Disney animated
feature films from SNOW WHITE to THE JUNGLE BOOK. The book is 368 pages,
and lavishly illustrated in black and white and color with many
illustrations that have never been published. Paperback: ISBN
1-86462-041-2; £22.50; Hardback: ISBN 1-86462-040-4; £40.00. Robin Allan

Amy Boothe Green and her husband, Walt Disney Pictures publicist and vice
president of studio communications, Howard Green, will appear in person to
sign copies of their book, REMEMBERING WALT: FAVORITE MEMORIES OF WALT
DISNEY, on Saturday, August 21 at The Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square
at Disneyland in Anaheim, California from 1:30-3 pm. For the book, the
authors interviewed more than 100 individuals about their experiences with
Walt Disney, including Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, animators Frank Thomas

The Welsh Animation Group, an association of Welsh animators created to develop an international animated film festival in Wales, has published the first issue of their newsletter, WAG NEWSLETTER. This new group centered in Cardiff has emerged for a number of reasons. Siriol’s Robin Lyons first discussed, “The need for a lobbying pressure group and, just as importantly a forum for animators,” as stated in the publication’s editorial written by Dave Berry.

In October 1999, Disney publishing house Hyperion will publish PAPER DREAMS
- THE ART AND ARTISTS OF DISNEY STORYBOARDS by John Canemaker. The book
provides a behind-the-scenes look at the development of stories,
situations, and personalities for many of Disney's animated films, from
PLANE CRAZY through TARZAN. It also includes information about many little
known story artists and writers. Artists covered include Bill Peet, Ted
Sears, Pinto Colvig, Earl Hurd, Webb Smith, Carl Barks, Harry Reeves, Homer

Taking advantage of the buzz around the upcoming release of the English
version of PRINCESS MONONOKE directed by Hayao Miyazaki, which is due to be
released on October 29, 1999, Stone Bridge Press and Miramax Press are both
releasing tie-in books. Stone Bridge Press is publishing HAYAO MIYAZAKI:
MASTER OF JAPANESE ANIMATION by Helen McCarthy. The book mixes film-by-film
summaries with insider interviews and discussions of art, plot, production
qualities, and themes. It is a 216 page, 7x9" paperback with more than 70

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. continues its support of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund with the 1999 Spring Breaks. Over the last several years, Diamond has redoubled its efforts to turn these regional industry gatherings into fund-raisers for the CBLDF through live and silent auctions, special giveaways, and other events. This year, the Spring Breaks raised more than $2,400 to benefit the Fund. The Spring Breaks are the natural descendants of the annual Diamond Retailer Seminars and are sponsored by Diamond in conjunction with DC, Dark Horse, Image, Marvel, and other publishers.

Disney Press has released a package called DISNEY'S ANIMATION KIT by Don Hahn that is intended for ages 8 and up. Priced at $19.95 the package includes the following:


18 pieces of 3-hole punched white paper

4 cels

1 Blue pencil

1 Graphite pencil

1 Flipbook featuring Mickey Mouse from "The Brave Little Tailor"

1 Blank Flipbook

6 non-smudge markers (red, yellow, green, blue, violet, black)

1 plastic "peg bar"

1 68 page workbook

A number of animation books have recently been released just in time for the holiday season. Great Plains Publications has published Gene Walz's "Cartoon Charlie: The Life and Art of Animation Pioneer Charles Thorson," a detailed biography of the Golden Age animation artist filled with many never-before-seen illustrations.