Best Books about Comics?

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ian_house
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Best Books about Comics?

Post by ian_house »

I see alot of books by or about creators/companys/periods but never really been tempted by anything. There seem to be alot of overlapping books and I'm not sure where to start.

Has anyone read anything really quality that has added to their comics reading experience?

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Post by Tim »

That's a great question, Ian. One I'm looking forward to being answered, because maybe I'm getting old, but lately I enjoy reading about comics more than I enjoy reading comics.

I don't know any "book" books that would be what you are looking for, but TwoMorrows press puts out some wonderful stuff on comics history. "Alter Ego" is probably what they're most notable for (and I read it every month), but they also do the Modern Masters series and a bunch of other stuff.

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Post by dhudson1 »

I like "All in Color for a Dime"

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Post by X-O HoboJoe »

dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:

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Post by Drift »

Les Daniels' books about DC and Marvel history are great reads and very informative.

I have heard good things about the Dark Age.

Not about comics but comic related:

Excelsior! Stan Lee's autobiography is cool as it goes into his thought processes about his work.

Comic Wars gives some great info about the Marvel lawsuit in the 90s. Can't remember the author's name but it differs from his other stuff which is about the various conflicts in the Middle East.

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Post by Heath »

I'd still find Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics to be enjoyable to read.

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Post by ian_house »

X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?

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Post by ian_house »

All added to the mental list of things to look out for! Those were exactly the kinds of things I was looking for.

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Post by terreth »

Heath wrote:I'd still find Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics to be enjoyable to read.


His others are good too. :thumb:

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Post by X-O HoboJoe »

ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:

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Post by TKWill »

X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.

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Post by X-O HoboJoe »

TKWill wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.
Don't remember any, but I read it last in 1981 . . . :|

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Post by dhudson1 »

Steranko's History of the Comics parts 1 & 2 are also a good, fun, informative read. He says the Captain Marvel (Shazam) artists used to make fun of CM saying he had no balls. :o

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Post by dhudson1 »

TKWill wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.
Image

This is one cover version, it has been through several different printings.

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Post by X-O HoboJoe »

dhudson1 wrote:
TKWill wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.
Image

This is one cover version, it has been through several different printings.
I think he wanted Wimpy on Sea Hag [shudder]

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Post by dhudson1 »

X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:
TKWill wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote: Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.
Image

This is one cover version, it has been through several different printings.
I think he wanted Wimpy on Sea Hag [shudder]
:o :o :o :o

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Post by Steve Topper »

A couple of other recents books re: comics that I thought were very good:

The Ten-Cent Plague (historical perspective on comics history and the development of the Comics Code) by David Hadju

Men of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones

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Post by Brother J »

I remember reading the library's copy of The Comic Book Book when I was in school.

Image

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Post by Heath »

terreth wrote:
Heath wrote:I'd still find Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics to be enjoyable to read.


His others are good too. :thumb:
I have no doubt about that. I just haven't read them.

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Post by Drift »

TKWill wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
ian_house wrote:
X-O HoboJoe wrote:
dhudson1 wrote:I like "All in Color for a Dime"
Great book. :clap:
Whats this one about?
It's a brief history of early comics written sometime in the late 60's/early 70's IIRC. It claims Popeye as the first superhero. It's also where you find out Wimpy screwed the Sea Hag for a plate of hamburgers. :thumb:
pics please.
Artistic/Historic Image, but still "Not Safe For Work"

Oh sorry sea hag not sea creature

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Post by dave »

Understanding Comics by McCloud and then Filibusting Comics which is a parody...whatta hoot.

Eisner's sequential art book is another great one.

Kirby's biography is great too-I think it's called the King Of Comics. Loved it.


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