"Secret History Of Marvel Comics" YouTube Channel: 10-Part "Making Of..." Series

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. As we move closer to the debut of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics", me and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo go at it for 10-Part "Making Of..." video series on the book's new YouTube channel. Details here...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/10-part-making-of-video-series-on.html

 

Part 1 sees me and Michael reminisce about how the concept of the book came to be. And each day, we'll post a new video, leading up to our Book Release Event in NYC on Sat Oct 12 at the Society Of Illustrators, where we'll be joined by famed artists Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg to discuss their memories of working for Martin Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s.

 

Thanks,

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

[Prince Namor]

Great stuff!

[ComicConnoisseur]

I will check it out!

[Dick Pontoon]

 

Part 1 sees me and Michael reminisce

 

I've read several of your books. You must have a good copy editor.

 

 

 

[Ditko37]

Hi all. Here's the 2nd YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/2nd-video-for-making-of-series-on.html

 

In Part 2 of 10, me and co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo break down how the book is structured, and what each of its three sections has to offer. (Did we mention that it was "lavish?")

 

Thanks,

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. Here's the 3rd YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/3rd-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 3 of 10, co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I speak about researching the book, separating fact from fiction, so that you have the most accurate history of the origins of Marvel Comics to date. Myth-blowing!

 

Thanks,

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

[Ditko37]

Here's the 4th YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/4th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 4 of 10, co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I discuss some of the specifics about owner Martin Goodman's business practices - e.g., shell companies and flooding the market - that began in the businesses that preceded the birth of Marvel Comics.

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[BitterOldMan]

Is the infamous Atlas implosion of 1957 included?

 

Unfortunately, I already made a commitment to attend the CGC boardies dinner on Saturday evening and will be going up to Cooperstown on Sunday morning.

 

Book certainly looks great. I will be certain to purchase a copy later.

[comicalgems]

Thought it was the OU Quarterback when I saw the poster's name.

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. Here's the 5th YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/5th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 5 of 10, co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I discuss the multitude of the moonlighting artists who worked for Marvel Comics in its earliest days, and in owner Martin Goodman's other publishing endeavors, like his pulps and magazines.

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[Doc McCoy]

Hi Blake, no criticism here, just asking because I've already read it and would like to know:

 

How will your book be different than Sean Howe's Marvel Comics: The Untold Story?

 

It seems as if you are touching on many of the topics that he addressed in his book.

 

Thanks.

[Dick Pontoon]

Previous thread on the Secret History containing this quote from co-author Doc V.

 

Hi folks,

 

Yes, I did read Sean's book. I think it turned out fantastic. We had lunch together in his book's earliest stages and I recall asking him if he knew what he was getting into!

 

I can only speak about inaccuracies in the 1930's through 1950's material and there was minimal as he ran a lot of that early stuff by me as he was writing it. Most of that early stuff was ok. Off hand, the only thing we differed on was the occupation of Martin Goodman's father.

 

As far as the differences between our books, they are completely different animals. The funny thing is that early reports of his book had it as "our" title! He got Harper Collins to change it as we had ours planned and solicited before his.

 

Sean's book was the entire history of Marvel Comics. Our book is a dual book. The first half is a Martin Goodman publishing history up to 1957, specifically focusing on his non-comic book publications like his pulps, magazines and paperbacks. The second half of the book is an art section that showcases hundreds of illustrations comic book artists moonlighted over in the non-comic book publications.

 

As for where we cover the same ground? I think Sean covered in 10 pages what we spend 300 on!

 

Doc V.

[Doc McCoy]

Previous thread on the Secret History containing this quote from co-author Doc V.

 

Hi folks,

 

Yes, I did read Sean's book. I think it turned out fantastic. We had lunch together in his book's earliest stages and I recall asking him if he knew what he was getting into!

 

I can only speak about inaccuracies in the 1930's through 1950's material and there was minimal as he ran a lot of that early stuff by me as he was writing it. Most of that early stuff was ok. Off hand, the only thing we differed on was the occupation of Martin Goodman's father.

 

As far as the differences between our books, they are completely different animals. The funny thing is that early reports of his book had it as "our" title! He got Harper Collins to change it as we had ours planned and solicited before his.

 

Sean's book was the entire history of Marvel Comics. Our book is a dual book. The first half is a Martin Goodman publishing history up to 1957, specifically focusing on his non-comic book publications like his pulps, magazines and paperbacks. The second half of the book is an art section that showcases hundreds of illustrations comic book artists moonlighted over in the non-comic book publications.

 

As for where we cover the same ground? I think Sean covered in 10 pages what we spend 300 on!

 

Doc V.

 

Thanks DP!

[Ditko37]

Here's the 6th YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/6th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

It's one of favourites because co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I discuss the 72-hour "Scanning Marathon" Weekend that brought to light a million more surprises...and how we figured out how to cram as much as we could into 304 pages.

 

Thanks,

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[Prince Namor]

Hi everyone. Here's the 5th YouTube video in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/5th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 5 of 10, co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I discuss the multitude of the moonlighting artists who worked for Marvel Comics in its earliest days, and in owner Martin Goodman's other publishing endeavors, like his pulps and magazines.

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

As much as I'm looking forward to the story, I can't wait to see the art in this book!

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. Here's YouTube video #7 in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/7th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 7 of 10, co-author Dr. Michael J. Vassallo and I discuss the surprises found when uncovering the artists who moonlighted for Martin Goodman's other publishing endeavours; Marvel mainstays like Jack Kirby, Alex Schomburg, and Bill Everett, but also the EC Comics gang and non-comic-book luminaries like Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey) and Hank Ketcham (Dennis The Menace).

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. Here's YouTube video #8 in our 10-part video series on the making of our upcoming book, "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/8th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 8 of 10, we discuss the bare-knuckle, drop 'em fist fights while "arguing" over what was going in the book, and how we had to strangle the page count DOWN to 304 pages.

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[Ditko37]

Hi everyone. 2nd last video on the book's new YouTube channel featuring me and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave)...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/9th-video-in-making-of-series-on-youtube.html

 

In Part 9, we discuss our favorite memories of putting the book together, and acknowledge each others' unique contributions. (And get ready for Part 10 - the outtakes!)

 

Thanks,

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

 

[Ditko37]

"Nothing good happens after 2 A.M." - Ted Evelyn Moseby.

 

Hi everyone. Want to watch two men die a thousand deaths on camera as they struggle to string two sentences together back in early August while attempting to film the 10-part (in one night) "Secret History Of Marvel Comics" video series late into the evening and early morning? Of course, you do. (At least Blake is wearing a cool t-shirt and they're surrounded by Michael's MarvelMan-Cave materials to protect them.) Here's the Outtakes video...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/video-outtakes-in-making-of-series-on.html

 

It's all leading up to tomorrow night's Official Book Release event at the Society of Illustrators, with guests Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg discussing their memories of working for Martin Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s! The event even made the NY Post...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.ca/2013/10/book-release-event-featured-in-fridays.html

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com

[Ditko37]

Today's New York Post will make Syd Shores more famous than ever! Check out Page #37 of the paper as our Book Release Event on Saturday dominates the "Hot Picks" section...

 

http://secrethistoryofmarvelcomics.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-york-post-hot-picks-for-book.html

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Blake Bell

http://www.blakebellnews.blogspot.com