Episode · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2025-10-20
Books mentioned on #831: Frank Miller, Comic Book Legend — Creative Process, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300, and Much More
Frank Miller is regarded as one of the most influential and awarded creators. He began his career in comics in the late 1970s, first gaining notoriety as the artist, and later writer, of Daredevil for Marvel Comics.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Push the Wall
Discussed“And I'm going to go to my phone because I was reading an early copy of Push the Wall, my life, writing, drawing, and the art of storytelling.”
Where to get it
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The Art of Sin City
Discussed“And I'm going to go to my phone because I was reading an early copy of Push the Wall, my life, writing, drawing, and the art of storytelling.”
Where to get it
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Frank Miller's Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye 3rd Edition
Discussed“Then this is Frank Miller's Sin City, the hard goodbye.”
Where to get it
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Frank Miller's Ronin
Discussed“and like Ronin was born that day and my storytelling style changed everything and from that I I als I helped bring the title over and helped with the Asian invasion.”
Where to get it
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Watchmen
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen is a critically acclaimed 1985 graphic novel that deconstructs the superhero genre against an alternate-history Cold War backdrop.
Discussed“Am I getting the the timeline right that you were working on The Dark Knight Returns at the same time that Alan Moore was working on Watchmen or am I getting that timeline?”
Where to get it
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Swamp Thing
Discussed“I mean, he the first time he sat down to write Swamp Thing, he changed the entire precept of the character.”
Where to get it
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Understanding Comics
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud is a seminal nonfiction book that uses the very medium it analyzes to explain the history, structure, and psychological impact of comic books.
Recommended“I mean, pick up Scott Mloud's book on understanding comics for and see how he breaks down how comics work.”
Where to get it
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Screenplay
Screenplay by Syd Field is a foundational instructional guide on the craft of screenwriting that outlines the fundamental principles of structure, plot points, and character arcs necessary for commercial filmmaking.
Recommended“At the same time, pick up Sid Fields book on screenplay.”
Where to get it
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Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life
Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life by George B.
Recommended“Uh, George Bridgeman. George Bridgeman. Yeah. There's no E in it in Bridgemond. All right. There is an in George, but no George in Bridgeman. And it's the complete guide to drawing from life. It's only about the figure.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“So, absolutely check out Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling.”
“So, absolutely check out Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling.”