Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art is written and drawn by Scott McCloud. It explores the definition of comics, the historical development of the medium, its fundamental vocabulary, and various ways in which these elements have been used. It discusses theoretical work on comics (or sequential art) as an art form and a communications medium. It also uses the comic medium for non-storytelling purposes.

This detail-packed textbook includes a history of comics that reaches back to pre-Columbian picture manuscripts and Egyptian monuments and a running analysis of comics as art, literature, and communication.