Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A History of Key Elements, Creators, Events and Controversies

by Alex Grand Narrated by Alex Grand

Overview

This work dissects the origin and growth of superhero comic books, their major influences, and the creators behind them.*It demonstrates how Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and many more stand as time capsules of their eras, rising and falling with societal changes, and reflecting an amalgam of influences. The book covers in detail the iconic superhero comic book creators and their unique contributions in their quest for realism, including Julius Schwartz and the science-fiction origins of superheroes; the collaborative design of the Marvel Universe by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko; Jim Starlin's incorporation of the death of superheroes in comic books; John Byrne and the revitalization of superheroes in the modern age; and Alan Moore's deconstruction of superheroes.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A complete intensive overview of the superhero comic book industry today with its earlier roots in comic strips.”—Tom Palmer, Silver Age Comic Book inker

“WOW! Incredible insight, fair profiling, and incredibly informative! Alexander Grand has done it! Finally, an accurate in-depth book that is balanced and fair to both creators and publishers! Mr. Grand takes us on an incredibly informed journey through the history of comic books and its creators as no other book I've ever read. Taking us from the very beginning of sequential storytelling to the creation of the comic book, to the comics boom, to the near destruction of comics by Fredric Wertham, to the explosion of Marvel and the Superhero brought to us by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, to the creative wave in the 90's, to rock bottom and to the rebirth of the comic medium by independent creators. Connecting for us the use of comic books throughout popular culture and all types of media and products. I've been in the industry for 30 years and even I was finding myself being more informed with new discoveries than I could have imagined. I found it particularly original in its informative writing about creators of color, women and the comic book illustrator’s plight. Mr. Grand is a wealth of knowledge brought to us in a writing style that keeps you on a fast pace energetic ride. You'll find yourself wanting to turn the page to find out more and more and more. Controversy, Betrayal, Inspiration, Loss, Success! I couldn't put it down!”—Guy Dorian Sr., comic book professional, creator and graphic novelist

“An immersive deep dive into the history and elements of the comic book, from an expert. I was unable to put this down—well-crafted, thoughtful, and meticulously researched, Alex Grand has done a great job.”—Alex Segura, bestselling and acclaimed author of Secret identity, former co-president of Archie Comics and senior vice president at Oni Press

“This book is important. It’s going to start more arguments than it settles. That’s a good thing. Let’s hash it out. Let’s separate the lies and agendas from the truth and fairness. Thank you, Alex. This is a remarkable work.”—Jim Shooter, former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, 1978-1987

“Stories that test a protagonist’s physical and moral strengths let us escape our daily lives while fantasizing about how we might deal with disruptive events ranging from powerful entities in dynamic conflict to emotional cataclysms. Alex Grand’s Understanding Superhero Comic Books gives us insights into the history, people and creative trends of the superhero greenhouse that spawned many of today’s entertainment franchises.”—Carl Potts, former Marvel Comics executive editor, artist and writer

“An in-depth survey-with-commentary of the superhero genre, its triumphs and tragedies—those of the fictional characters and their flesh-and-blood creators—Understanding Superhero Comic Books explains how and why superheroes have had, for the past twenty years (and, really, for the past eighty years) such an enduring hold on us, and why they continue to do so. Sure, it’s quite possible that optho-neurologist Alex Grand wrote such a minutely researched and detailed book as Understanding in order to induce eyestrain and therefore send you running to his office. But that would just be a byproduct of the many joys contained in this book, Grand’s grand survey of superheroes and the medium from which they sprang.”—Danny Fingeroth, former Marvel editor and writer, author of A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee and Superman On The Couch

“In Understanding Super Hero Comic Books, Alex Grand offers a thoughtful, well-written analysis of superheroes and their impact on popular culture and history. Whether a comic book superfan or someone new to the genre, readers will find Grand’s insights into the history meaningful and illuminating. This book proves that we really do live in a superhero age!”—Bob Batchelor, author of Stan Lee: A Life and Stan Lee: The Man Behind Marvel

“This impressively researched book boasts more than 1,000 reference endnotes and a 19-page bibliography that reflect a solid grasp of the vast library of American comic books as well as a respect for academic scholarship. ... Grand’s narrative, which balances the enthusiasm of a lifelong fan with astute analysis, is accompanied by a wealth of images and reproductions of comic book panels and iconic covers. Combined, these elements make not only a well-written, smart study of superhero history and lore, but also a beautifully crafted, visually appealing volume. ...an admirable addition to the scholarship on superheroes and comic books. ... A well-researched, engaging history of American superhero comics.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Very detailed and well-researched… it is enjoyable if you know a lot about this material, and it is enjoyable if you don’t know a lot about the material…an entertaining and informative piece of comic book history”—Brian Cronin, Comic Book Resources

"A masterful exploration of the pivotal moments and influencers that have sculpted modern superhero comic books… enlightening and a pleasure to read... Grand proves to be a maestro, offering a magnum opus on the history and metamorphosis of superhero comic books.”—Literary Titan

“I found [Understanding Superhero Comic Books] to be a fine update of the kinds of general histories we got in the 70s and 80s, incorporating 40 years of subsequent scholarship on topics like Victorian and Platinum Age comics, controversies surrounding the Marvel method, and the evolution of superheroes in the media age. I particularly enjoyed Grand's chapter connecting themes and tropes from the classic adventure comic strips like Little Orphan Annie and Dick Tracy to subsequent developments in superhero comic books. Anyway, congratulations Alex, and thanks again!”—Rob Salkowitz, writer for Forbes and ICv2

“Immerses readers in a riveting exploration of the genre’s evolution… The pages of the book come alive… Each chapter unfurls the tapestry of creativity and innovation that has defined the superhero landscape… A treasure trove for newcomers and veterans alike… It offers readers an in-depth look into the evolution of superhero comic books within the United States, crafting a narrative that is as enlightening as it is captivating… Not just a book; it’s a time capsule, an adventure, and a celebration of the creative minds that have shaped our beloved superheroes.”—Associated Press

Kirkus Reviews

2023-09-15
Grand explores the history of the medium in this nonfiction work.

The author was first introduced to comic books as a kid in 1982 when he read the backstories of his favorite He-Man action figures through a series of promotional Masters of the Universe mini-comics published by Mattel. Comic books would play a central role in his life for the rest of his childhood and teenage years. Even after graduating from medical school and joining a medical practice, the supernatural lure of comic books remained ever-present. With a sound research background honed during his postgraduate studies, Grand began a multiyear study of the history of comic books that has culminated in this work. The book begins with the origins of the medium, Victorian-era visual sequential art (“proto-comics”) like Rodolphe Töpffer’s newspaper comic strip, Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. Dividing comic book history into eight eras, the author explores the development of the form from its early 20th century roots through the present. The “Golden Age” of the 1930s and 1940s moved away from the comedic sensibilities of earlier works toward violent stories featuring superheroes like Captain America and Batman, featuring characters with “superhuman abilities, costumes/code names, and a mission of justice.” As society and culture developed in the mid-20th century, so too did comic books—they adapted to the television culture of the 1950s and 1960s, and later to the cynicism of the 1970s with the rise of antiheroes, “good-guy type of killers who got the job done.” The 1980s and 1990s (the “Dark Age” and “Extreme Age,” respectively) saw the growing popularity of dark, brooding themes, as well as “over-the-top anatomy, weaponry, and sexuality combined with sales-driven gimmicks,” culminating in the current “Movie Age,” characterized by CGI, special effects, and blockbuster films.

While Grand acknowledges that this is not “a complete history of comics,” it is nevertheless a thorough one, covering many of the larger trends as well as artists, authors, and publishers who helped to shape the superhero genre. A thoughtful final section on diversity explores representations of women and Black people in comic books throughout the 20th century and the intersection of comic book narratives with social issues like civil rights, women’s rights, and multiculturalism. This impressively researched book boasts more than 1,000 reference endnotes and a 19-page bibliography that reflect a solid grasp of the vast library of American comic books as well as a respect for academic scholarship. Also included are the perspectives of insiders like comic artist Guy Dorian Sr. and wholesale comics distributor Bud Plant, who were interviewed by the author, as well as legendary artist Jim Steranko, who writes the book’s foreword. Grand’s narrative, which balances the enthusiasm of a lifelong fan with astute analysis, is accompanied by a wealth of images and reproductions of comic book panels and iconic covers. Combined, these elements make not only a well-written, smart study of superhero history and lore, but also a beautifully crafted, visually appealing volume. And while admittedly not comprehensive (the text largely ignores the history of underground and alternative comix and Japanese Manga), this is an admirable addition to the scholarship on superheroes and comic books.

A well-researched, engaging history of American superhero comics.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192051887
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/15/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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