DC Showcase Presents All Star Comics


Book Description

Written by PAUL LEVITZ and GERRY CONWAY Art by WALLACE WOOD, JOE STATON and others Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND The JSA's 1970s adventures from ALL-STAR COMICS #58-74 and ADVENTURE COMICS #461-466 are collected in a value-priced Showcase edition! Don't miss the team's battles with the Psycho-Pirate, Vandal Savage, the Injustice Society and more. On sale SEPTEMBER 21 - 448 pg, B&W, $19.99 US




The Justice Society Returns!


Book Description

Looking to conjure up a demon to aid them in World War II, a group of Nazi spies accidentally release Stalker, a being of immense power who is obsessed with destroying all life. Quickly mobilizing, the Justice Society of America splits up into small teams in order to thwart the evil missions of the villain's disciples across the globe. But after successfully defeating a crazed, homicidal mob and saving the lives of FDR, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, the JSA are still unable to take down Stalker. Now with their numbers depleted, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Sandman, Starman and the rest of the JSA fight one last battle for the fate of the world.




All New, All Different?


Book Description

Taking a multifaceted approach to attitudes toward race through popular culture and the American superhero, All New, All Different? explores a topic that until now has only received more discrete examination. Considering Marvel, DC, and lesser-known texts and heroes, this illuminating work charts eighty years of evolution in the portrayal of race in comics as well as in film and on television. Beginning with World War II, the authors trace the vexed depictions in early superhero stories, considering both Asian villains and nonwhite sidekicks. While the emergence of Black Panther, Black Lightning, Luke Cage, Storm, and other heroes in the 1960s and 1970s reflected a cultural revolution, the book reveals how nonwhite superheroes nonetheless remained grounded in outdated assumptions. Multiculturalism encouraged further diversity, with 1980s superteams, the minority-run company Milestone’s new characters in the 1990s, and the arrival of Ms. Marvel, a Pakistani-American heroine, and a new Latinx Spider-Man in the 2000s. Concluding with contemporary efforts to make both a profit and a positive impact on society, All New, All Different? enriches our understanding of the complex issues of racial representation in American popular culture.




The Art of Jack Kirby


Book Description

"The Art of Jack Kirby" is a comprehensive, illustrated exploration of the career of Jack Kirby, widely regarded as one of the most influential and important comic book artists of all time. Featuring hundreds of full-color images of Kirby's iconic artwork, the book follows his journey from his early work in comic books and wartime propaganda to his revolutionary contributions to the superhero genre at Marvel Comics, including co-creating characters such as Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Silver Surfer, Thor, and the X-Men. In addition to showcasing Kirby's 50+ year career, the book delves into his artistic process, his creative vision, and the impact he had on the comic book industry as a whole. It includes insights from interviews with Kirby, offering a deeper understanding of his artistic philosophy and motivations. Significance: "The Art of Jack Kirby" is an essential resource for anyone interested in comics, art, or American popular culture. It is valuable documentation of Kirby's immense talent and lasting influence on the medium. Its limited-edition nature makes it a coveted collector's item, but its informative content and captivating visuals ensure its enduring relevance for newcomers and seasoned Jack Kirby's work fans. Published by Blue Rose Press in 1992, the book is a pioneering work in comic book publications. It is the first large-format book dedicated to a single American comic book artist, Jack Kirby. What makes it truly unique is that it was also the first attempt to compile a comprehensive bibliography of Kirby's extensive body of work (the Kirby Booklist), encompassing characters he created and offering detailed statistics about his lifetime contributions to the comic book industry. This book not only celebrated Kirby's remarkable artistic legacy but also set a significant precedent for future examinations of comic book creators and their profound impact on the medium.




Comics through Time [4 volumes]


Book Description

Focusing especially on American comic books and graphic novels from the 1930s to the present, this massive four-volume work provides a colorful yet authoritative source on the entire history of the comics medium. Comics and graphic novels have recently become big business, serving as the inspiration for blockbuster Hollywood movies such as the Iron Man series of films and the hit television drama The Walking Dead. But comics have been popular throughout the 20th century despite the significant effects of the restrictions of the Comics Code in place from the 1950s through 1970s, which prohibited the depiction of zombies and use of the word "horror," among many other rules. Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas provides students and general readers a one-stop resource for researching topics, genres, works, and artists of comic books, comic strips, and graphic novels. The comprehensive and broad coverage of this set is organized chronologically by volume. Volume 1 covers 1960 and earlier; Volume 2 covers 1960–1980; Volume 3 covers 1980–1995; and Volume 4 covers 1995 to the present. The chronological divisions give readers a sense of the evolution of comics within the larger contexts of American culture and history. The alphabetically arranged entries in each volume address topics such as comics publishing, characters, imprints, genres, themes, titles, artists, writers, and more. While special attention is paid to American comics, the entries also include coverage of British, Japanese, and European comics that have influenced illustrated storytelling of the United States or are of special interest to American readers.




Comics Shop


Book Description

ESSENTIAL COMICS VALUES ALL IN COLOR! COMICS SHOP is the reliable reference for collectors, dealers, and everyone passionate about comic books! THIS FULL-COLOR, INDISPENSABLE GUIDE FEATURES: • Alphabetical organization by comic book title • More than 3,000 color photos • Hundreds of introductory essays • Analysis of multi-million dollar comics' sales • How covers and splash pages have evolved • An exclusive photo to grading guide to help you determine your comics' conditions accurately • Current values for more than 150,000 comics From the authoritative staff at Comics Buyer's Guide, the world's longest running magazine about comics, Comics Shop is the only guide on the market to give you extensive coverage of more than 150,000 comics from the Golden Age of the 1930s to current releases and all in color! In addition to the thousands of comic books from such publishers as Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image, this collector-friendly reference includes listings for comic books from independent publishers, underground publishers, and more!




Enter the Superheroes


Book Description

Ever since the first appearances of Superman and Batman in comic books of the late 1930s, superheroes have been a staple of the popular culture landscape. Though initially created for younger audiences, superhero characters have evolved over the years, becoming complex figures that appeal to more sophisticated readers. While superhero stories have grown ever more popular within broader society, however, comics and graphic novels have been largely ignored by the world of academia. In Enter the Superheroes:American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature, Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci arguethat superheroes merit serious study, both within the academy and beyond. By examining the kinds of graphic novels that are embraced by the academy, this book explains how superhero stories are just as significant. Structured around key themes within superhero literature, the book delves into the features that make superhero stories a unique genre. The book also draws upon examples in comics and other media to illustrate the sociohistorical importance of superheroes—from the interplay of fans and creators to unique narrative elements that are brought to their richest fulfillment within the world of superheroes. A list of noteworthy superhero texts that readers can look to for future study is also provided. In addition to exploring the important roles that superheroes play in children’s learning, the book also offers an excellent starting point for discussions of how literature is evolving and why it is necessary to expand the traditional realms of literary study. Enter the Superheroes will be of particular interest to English and composition teachers but also to scholars of popular culture and fans of superhero and comic book literature.







Fantastic Finds


Book Description

Fantastic Finds is an engaging and entertaining collection of real-world stories of people who discover gold amongst the unwanted. You'll read how a $700 auction gamble turns into a $38,500 sapphire bracelet or how one intrepid seeker found two rare carnival glass bowls in one day. Of course, some of the tales are sentimental journeys, where found pieces prove to be touching and priceless. Big or small, prized or priceless, Fantastic Finds tells the tales that make us all yearn for the hunt. And the reward.




Picker's Pocket Guide - Comic Books


Book Description

COMICS PACK PUNCH! Comic book values are soaring. Superman's debut, Action Comics #1, sold for $3.2 million. The first appearance of Batman in Detective Comics #27 fetched $1 million. Exceptional examples? Certainly, but you don't need X-ray vision to see everyone from collectors to savvy investors covets vintage comic books. Discover for yourself what insiders have long known with this hands-on, how-to guide to picking comic books. You'll uncover: • The best comics to hunt, from the 1930s-1980s and beyond • Where to find hidden treasures • Practical strategies for buying and selling comic books • How to flip comics for profit and fun • Common reprints and facsimiles • Restoration and repair Whether for pleasure or profit, the Picker's Pocket Guide is a real find.