Ultimate Comic Book "BOOK" Review

[Forbush-Man]

Hi Folks,

 

I thought this might be a good place/idea for an on-going thread for books written about comics. Post your reviews of books you've read about comics here!

 

My first choice would be Steranko's "History of the Comics", volume # 1.

 

This came out in 1970. Before this book, most comic book-'books" were some slight comentary about comics with reprints of those comics. The Steranko History of the Comics was the first in-depth look at comics as a media with insight to thier beginings, not to mention the first detailed look at their Grand-Parents: The Pulp Magazines.

 

Many books have come out since but, and I can only tell you from my own expirence ( I was fourteen at the time), this book opened my eyes to our hobby. While it's not perfect, and there are some mistakes, reading this book will leave you with a sense of wonder & appreciation for comics and our hobby!

 

Please feel free to suggest books you've found to be informative, entertaining and enlightning to others who appreciate the medium.

 

Enjoy!

[gpanalysis]

The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide - just AWESOME!

 

http://www.slingsandarrowspublishing.com/

 

Like a film guide for comics.

 

Regards

GP

[rjpb]

For lots of great reprints in color ( taken from scans of the original comics!)- The Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics can't be beat. Worth buying for the reprints of Sheldon Meyer's Scribbly/Red Tornado story arc from All-American alone!

[ComicBookGuy]

1. The Warren Reader

2. A History of Mad (I believe that's the title; yellow cover, published in the 1990s, square shape [packed away so I can't get to it!])

3. Excelsior by Stan Lee

4. Photo Journal of Comics

5. Berni Wrightson: A Look Back

6. The Merchant of Dennis by Hank Ketcham

 

All very informative books that focus on one aspect of comics successfully, not necessarily a general overview of the medium.

[spendthrifty-migration]

- 'The Great Comic Book Heroes' by Jules Feiffer: his recollections of being a kid growing up in the golden age -- including aged samples of his original comic work -- were inspiring to a wannabe cartoonist.

- And ditto on Steranko. I can still picture the gorgeous full-page reproductions of Sky Wolf, Uncle Sam, Mary Marvel, etc. And the tragic tale of Jack Cole.

 

Aaron

[ComicBookGuy]

Welcome to the Boards! I just got here a week ago and am in up to my knees already. What do you collect?

[Kevin Boyd]

Two books that haven't been mentioned yet:

 

The Comic Book Heroes : The First History of Modern Comic Books - From the Silver Age to the Present by Gerard Jones and Will Jacobs

 

Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones

[spendthrifty-migration]

Thanks, Comicbookman.

 

I just discovered this site and have wast -- er, spent -- so much time browsing all the great info and gorgeous covers...

 

I collect a hodgepodge but focus on Dell, Gold Key, Dennis the Menace, and anything quirky and, yes, cheap!

 

Aaron

[ComicBookGuy]

Thanks, Comicbookman.

 

I just discovered this site and have wast -- er, spent -- so much time browsing all the great info and gorgeous covers...

 

I collect a hodgepodge but focus on Dell, Gold Key, Dennis the Menace, and anything quirky and, yes, cheap!

 

Aaron

 

I'm a huge Dennis the Menace fan. I posted the Hawaii issue on the thread about grails and the first Christmas giant from 1955 on the Christmas covers thread. I am thinking of starting a Dennis the Menace thread when I get the chance and put the first ten of each in high grade up.

[spendthrifty-migration]

That'd be cool. Here's another I'd like to see: Adventures of Little Archie. Those early Bolling issues were great. The covers are underrepresented on the GCD (www.comics.org).