World Encyclopedia of Comics

[drewincanada]

I was paging through my copy of The World Encyclopedia of Comics today and feeling a little nostalgic. If you don't know the book, here are the details:

 

The World Encyclopedia of Comics

Edited by Maurice Horn

Published 1976 by Chelsea House Publishers

Hardcover: 9" x 12"

790 pages

 

I bought my copy when it was published in 1976. I was 19 at the time and it was an eye opener. It was my introduction to McCay, Herriman, Outcault's Yellow Kid, Marston's Wonder Woman, to name a few... and gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of my favourite 60s Marvel artists.

 

The commentary isn't particularly objective, and the reproduction of the artwork isn't very sharp, but it was a landmark book in its day and it's still an invaluable resource.

 

I believe that an updated version was published in the late 1990s.

[alxjhnsn]

The two that I really enjoyed early on were:

 

• All in Color for a Dime - paperback with a color insert section
  
• Steranko's History of Comics Vol 1&2 - man, I wish he'd finished the series. Wonderful books.

 

 

[drewincanada]

I remember both but read neither, Alex. Do they stand up today, and is it worth picking up used copies?

 

 

[Bird]

This made me dig out my wife's book from college - The Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics. I am bringing it to work and hope to kill some serious time perusing it at my desk!

[alxjhnsn]

I remember both but read neither, Alex. Do they stand up today, and is it worth picking up used copies?

 

I think both are excellent. There's newer research of course, but I found them both to be fascinating.