Captain Action


Book Description

Captain Action, the original super-hero action figure, was introduced in 1966 in the wake of the Batman TV show craze, and later received his own DC comic book with art by Wally Wood and Gil Kane. Able to assume the identities of 13 famous super-heroes, his initial career was short-lived, but continuing interest in the hero has led to two different returns to toy-store shelves. Lavishly illustrated with over 200 toy photos, this second edition of the critically acclaimed volume by author Michael Eury chronicles the history of this quick-changing champion, including photos of virtually every Captain Action product ever released, spotlights on his allies Action Boy and the Super Queens and his arch enemy Dr. Evil, an examination of his comic-book appearances, and Action facts that even the most-diehard Captain Action fan won't know! Features a foreword, cover image, and previously unseen package illustrations by Murphy Anderson, as well as historical anecdotes by the late Gil Kane, Jim Shooter, Stan Weston (co-creator of G.I. Joe, Captain Action, and Mego's World's Greatest Super-Heroes), and Larry Reiner and Larry O'Daly, formerly of Ideal Toys, plus never-before-published and classic Captain Action artwork by Gil Kane, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino, Jerry Ordway, Paul Gulacy, Mark Sparacio, Ruben Procopio, and Tom Yeates. This revised second edition also includes behind-the-scenes material covering Captain Action's triumphant 2008 return to comics shelves in his new series from Moonstone Books, and spotlights on the new wave of Captain Action collectibles.




Mego 8-Inch Super-Heroes


Book Description

Lavishly illustrated with thousands of charts, checklists and color photographs, this is an obsessive examination of legendary toy company Mego, and the extraordinary line of super-hero action figures that dominated the toy industry throughout the 1970s. Featuring a chronological history of Mego, interviews with former employees and Mego vendors, fascinating discoveries never revealed elsewhere, and thorough coverage of each figure and packaging variant, this full-color hardcover is the definitive guide to Mego.




Silver Surfer


Book Description

Collects Silver Surfer: Black #1-5. Is this the end of Norrin Radd? In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, the cosmos’ greatest defenders were thrown through a black hole — including the Silver Surfer! But his story doesn’t end there! To beat back oblivion and avoid losing himself to the darkness, the Sentinel of the Spaceways must call on all his inner light to save his own soul! With his Power Cosmic fading and the all-consuming darkness descending, will help come in the form of an unexpected ally? When the Surfer discovers something with the potential power to turn the tide, is he prepared to pay the terrible price for awakening it? And how does the Surfer’s predicament tie in to the sinister world of symbiotes? Donny Cates and Tradd Moore take the Surfer on a journey that will change him forever!




Robin (2021-) #8


Book Description

It’s time for a rematch! Robin and Connor Hawke face off for round two in their winner-take-all battle for League of Lazarus supremacy, but with the tournament nearing its end, what surprises does Mother Soul have up her sleeve? I hope it doesn’t involve that massive, hellish pit and the immortal monster lying within it-aw beans, it’s about that, isn’t it?!




Super Powers (2016-) #4


Book Description

An evil menace stirs the sea dwellers of the Pacific Ocean as an angry Black Manta pays a visit to the evil genius Lex Luthor. Whatever underwater evil is being planned, Aquaman and his Super Friends can save the day! Or can they? Lex welcomes the return of his Legion of Doom!




The Comic Book Heroes


Book Description

The first history of modern costumed-hero comic books, from the start of the Silver Age in 1956 up to today. Focusing on DC and Marvel Comics, the story begins with the efforts of DC to revitalize such Golden Age heroes as the Flash, Superman, and Green Lantern in the wake of the anti-comic furor of the early 1950s. The authors cover the science fiction rage of the late 1950s, the birth of the experimental Marvel Comics Group in 1961, the emergence of such classic Marvel characters as the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man, the "camp" craze set off by the "Batman" TV show in 1966, and the socially conscious and politically relevant comics of the early 1970s. Later chapters describe the slump of the mid-1970s, as the medium lost touch with its young readers, followed by the comics' resurgence of the 1980s, as many new companies help DC and Marvel to extend the boundaries of the field with innovation, daring, and a new sophistication. Factually thorough and written in a lively, narrative style, this history includes behind-the-scenes glimpses at the men who wrote, drew, and published the comics, the impact of their creations on the fans, and critical assessments of the works themselves. Illustrated throughout with examples of comic book art, The Comic Book Heroes will inform and entertain both the hardcore fan and the casual reader of this most popular of American mediums.




The Art of Spawn


Book Description

A beautiful coffee table style art book featuring art from all aspects of Todd McFarlane's creations. From comics to toys to animation, this book provides a loving insight into the artwork that drives a creative empire! The Art of Spawn also includes behind the scenes and never-before-seen art from Todd McFarlane, Greg Capullo and Ashley Wood.




Comic Book Hero Toys


Book Description

POW! ZAP! eeEEYOW! This is the action toy book that fans will drool over. Banks, board games, dress-up costumes, cups, and model kits imprinted with images of villains and heroes such as Captain Action*t, the Incredible Hulk*t, Superman*t, Batman*t, and more. Over 700 color photos, descriptions and a complete price guide provide thorough identification.




Comic Books


Book Description

This book is an insider's guide to how the comic book industry works. You'll learn how comic book superheroes are created and the deeper meanings they represent. You'll follow the development of sequential art storytelling - from caveman wall paintings to modern manga and cinematic techniques. Here you will explore comics in all forms: those flimsy pamphlets we call comic books; thick graphic novels; Japanese manga; and blockbuster movies featuring epic battles between good and evil. But behind it all, you'll discover how comics are an intellectual property business, the real money found in licensed bedsheets and fast-food merchandise, heart-pounding theme park rides and collectible toys, video games, and Hollywood extravaganza featuring such popular superheroes as Spider-Man, Superman, X-Men, and Batman.




Articulating the Action Figure


Book Description

Action figures are more than toys or collectibles--they are statements on race, gender, class, body positivity and more. This collection of nine new essays and one interview argues that action figures should be analyzed in the same light as books, movies, television shows and other media. Through an examination of the plastic bodies that fill our shelves and toy boxes, "Action Figure Studies" can inform the next generation of toys.