2Sunny Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 People here have incredible stores of knowledge as regards comics, and I can only assume some of that is from experience, but I also assume some of that comes from written sources. So . . . what books do folks here recommend if one wants to learn more about the history of comics, artists, writers, companies, etc? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dick Pontoon Posted June 12, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted June 12, 2023 jdandns, davidtere, greggy and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KCOComics Posted June 12, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted June 12, 2023 The Ten Cent plague is fantastic is your interested in golden age, crime and horror. GACollectibles, steveinthecity, jdandns and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Point Five Posted June 12, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted June 12, 2023 My favorite is Men of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones… goes deep into the 1930s Jewish roots of the comics industry, excellent golden age coverage with special attention to Siegel & Shuster’s story, and a sweeping postscript that brings you to the present day. piper, Turnando, KCOComics and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidtere Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 My personal favorite is 'All In Color for a Dime' by Lupoff and Thompson. jdandns, Robot Man and Larryw7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Aldred Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) I have this one. Great read… Comics : Between the Panels ’This lavish volume takes an in-depth look at the history of comics in a manner decidedly unlike the dry timelines and profiles of most reference-style titles. Via alphabetical entries, the authors take an irreverent, often hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at creators, companies, characters, collectors, and conventions, pulling no punches when exposing some of the darker sides of the industry. Containing countless stories gleaned from over 150 interviews of comics industry veterans, Comics Between the Panels is loaded with more than half a century of insider information on the talented and eccentric creators who forged the comics industry and art form. Features 670 illustrations and photos — including dynamic and bizarre cover art compiled under such curious headings as Atomic Bombs, Death with Indignity, Gorillas, Headlights, Hooded Menaces, and Skulls.’ https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1317323 Edited June 13, 2023 by Ken Aldred jdandns, Point Five, davidtere and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicstock Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Books I've read the last few years in no particular order... Empire of the Superheroes Slugfest True Believer My Captain America Comic Shop The Comic Book Makers The Boy Who Loved Batman Marvel Comics: The Untold Story Men of Tomorrow American Daredevil: Comics, Communism and the Battles of Lev Gleason lou_fine, jdandns and Point Five 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdandns Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Comix: A History of Comic Books in America (1971) by Les Daniels Marvel Comics: The Untold Story (2012) by Sean Howe Point Five and Larryw7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) Another vote for 'Marvel Comics:The Untold Story' by Sean Howe. A fascinating read. 'The Golden Age' by Paul Levitz, I think it's just called. There's a matching Silver Age volume, or you can buy them together as one large coffee table volume. Lots of photos, check it out before committing, because it may not be what you're looking for. For specific books, can't go better than talking to their creators. Tom DeFalco's wonderful 'Comics Creators On' series interview creators involved with a particular franchise. There's 3 IIRC, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. All are great reads, with a good mix of Legends and lesser creators of the time, many of whom went on to become legends since the books' publications. Edited June 13, 2023 by Cat Larryw7, PopKulture and Point Five 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Obscure Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Look past books per se. Seek out the EARLY issues of TwoMorrow's 'Alter Ego' magazine, the interviews by Jim Amash especially- for a wonderful period, he sought out and interviewed many, many Golden Age creators and, as such, you discover things about the publishers, the distribution and the general perception of the comics industry through these transcribed interviews. A serious gift for anyone who appreciates history. aardvark88 and PopKulture 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopKulture Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 On 6/13/2023 at 10:35 AM, Cat said: ‘The Golden Age' by Paul Levitz, I think it's just called. There's a matching Silver Age volume, or you can buy them together as one large coffee table volume. Lots of photos, check it out before committing, because it may not be what you're looking for. Those are great volumes! I think that photo-rich format is definitely worth checking out, as the captions and smaller blurbs have a high density of valuable information. Plus, since comics are a visual medium, I don’t think text and lengthy narratives alone are the best format for learning about them. My anyway. Cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAR1979 Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) On 6/12/2023 at 5:59 PM, 2Sunny said: People here have incredible stores of knowledge as regards comics, and I can only assume some of that is from experience, but I also assume some of that comes from written sources. So . . . what books do folks here recommend if one wants to learn more about the history of comics, artists, writers, companies, etc? Thanks! Based on your parameters: The Comic Book Heroes - Gerard Jones, Will Jacobs (1996 edition)Marvel Comics: The Untold Story - Sean Howe I give my highest recommendation on each one of these, except 1940-1944 which for me was a bit of slog, still it is very good : American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-44American Comic Book Chronicles: 1950sAmerican Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-69American Comic Book Chronicles: 1970sAmerican Comic Book Chronicles: 1980sAmerican Comic Book Chronicles: 1990sComic Book Implosion - Keith Dallas, John Wells Edited June 13, 2023 by MAR1979 Dave2739 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJD Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 I picked a copy of this up at a flea market for $2. It's a large format book full of reproductions of comic pages along with Harvey Kurtzman's observations and reminiscences. It's EC heavy, but that's not a bad thing, especially given the role Kurtzman played there. Larryw7 and OtherEric 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclezebo Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/12/2023 at 5:21 PM, KCOComics said: The Ten Cent plague is fantastic is your interested in golden age, crime and horror. I'll agree with that.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/12/2023 at 6:04 PM, Ken Aldred said: I have this one. Great read… Comics : Between the Panels ’This lavish volume takes an in-depth look at the history of comics in a manner decidedly unlike the dry timelines and profiles of most reference-style titles. Via alphabetical entries, the authors take an irreverent, often hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at creators, companies, characters, collectors, and conventions, pulling no punches when exposing some of the darker sides of the industry. Containing countless stories gleaned from over 150 interviews of comics industry veterans, Comics Between the Panels is loaded with more than half a century of insider information on the talented and eccentric creators who forged the comics industry and art form. Features 670 illustrations and photos — including dynamic and bizarre cover art compiled under such curious headings as Atomic Bombs, Death with Indignity, Gorillas, Headlights, Hooded Menaces, and Skulls.’ https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1317323 I fully agree. My favorite book about comics. Everything you ever wanted to know about not only the comics but the hobby in general. Stories about not only the creators but about collectors and “finds” and the pursuit and hunt. HIGHLY recomended! Every comic fan should have it in their library. A real page turner! Larryw7, Ken Aldred, KCOComics and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Sunny Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Holy tons of reading Batman!! Thanks everyone. Looks like my summer, fall, and winter reading list is full Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCOComics Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/13/2023 at 8:55 PM, Robot Man said: I fully agree. My favorite book about comics. Everything you ever wanted to know about not only the comics but the hobby in general. Stories about not only the creators but about collectors and “finds” and the pursuit and hunt. HIGHLY recomended! Every comic fan should have it in their library. A real page turner! I bought a copy last night. Your interests in comics seem pretty aligned with mine, so your recommendation carried allot of weight. I have lots of travel, for work and play, coming, so it will be good for long plane rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou_fine Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 (edited) On 6/13/2023 at 6:34 AM, comicstock said: Men of Tomorrow You definitely can't go wrong with this book here, especially if you are into DC, as this book here talks about the origins of DC and the men (eg. Jack Liebowitz) who started and built up this comic book publishing company into the powerhouse that it eventually became. Edited June 14, 2023 by lou_fine Point Five 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/14/2023 at 6:10 AM, KCOComics said: I bought a copy last night. Your interests in comics seem pretty aligned with mine, so your recommendation carried allot of weight. I have lots of travel, for work and play, coming, so it will be good for long plane rides. Thanks. As much as I love comics, I enjoy searching them out and coming upon discoveries. There are many of these stories by the old timers in the hobby. A lot of folklore from the folks that were around when it happened a lot more than it does now. Let me know what you think of it. Your plane flights will zip by… KCOComics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadpoolJr. Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Was the Marvel Comics: An Untold Story the one that had some controversy when it came out because it made Stan Lee come off negatively or was that another one that came out around the same time? An interesting one I would suggest is Eric Stanton & the History of the Bizarre Underground It's more about the history of the underground fetish comics and the life of the artist Eric Stanton so not about the more mainstream topics of the comic world. Stranton was also at one point roommates with Steve Ditko with the book talking about the work they two might have done together such as Stranton apparently sometimes being the one who would draw women characters for some of Ditko's work and a possible influence in the creation of Spider-man since he had a relative that he would call, Aunt May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
