Comic books in 'Comic History'

Add to cart Near Mint $17.00

1st printing. Written by Christopher Irving. Photos by Seth Kushner. We often get so caught up with the characters in comics that they seem to almost take on lives of their own. This book is a reminder to remember, or to meet, and to get to know the creators of these beloved icons and fan favorites. These are the masters of the medium, who, with their supreme senses of storytelling and imaginative skills with pen and ink, have grabbed the hearts and minds of millions of people all over the world for decades. Hardcover, 8-in. x 10-in., 240 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $35.00.

1st printing. By Jonathan Morris. From banjo-playing Nazis to gangster gorillas, superhero comics have featured some of the weirdest antagonists ever published. This definitive collection of oddball supercrooks presents the most regrettable supervillains of all, complete with vintage art, publication details, and hilarious commentary from author Jon Morris. Vintage comic book art and the author's hilarious commentary introduce you to rogues and felons such as Brickbat (choice of weapon: poisonous bricks), Robbing Hood (steals from the poor to give to the rich), and Swarm (a man made of bees. Nazi bees!). Drawing on the entire history of the medium, The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains includes characters that haven't seen the light of day in decades! Hardcover, 7-in. x 9-in., 256 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $24.95.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "George Herriman's Baron Bean: The Complete 1916 Comics!"

Story and Art by George Herriman.

Introducing a new series that will reprint early daily newspaper strips that are essential to the history of comics. Each volume will contain a full year of dailies. By reproducing the strips one per page in an oblong format, it allows us to have the experience of reading the comics one day at a time. The inaugural volume of Library of American Comics Essentials features Baron Bean by one of the greatest of all comic strip stars: George Herriman. The creator of Krazy Kat drew Baron Bean for three years, beginning in 1916.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 328 pages, B&W.

Cover price $19.99.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. "Sidney Smith's The Gumps: The Saga of Mary Gold!"

Story and Art by Sidney Smith.

In the late 1910s, Sidney Smith developed a formula of the daily strip that would make The Gumps one of the most popular comics of the 1920s and himself one of the richest cartoonists of his day. By the end of the decade Sidney Smith's The Gumps had secured a huge and loyal audience with a decade of melodrama, adventure, mystery, and comedy. So devoted were his readers, in fact, that they regularly wrote in to offer advice for his characters' love lives and business decisions and they generally treated the characters as friends and family members. In 1928-29, with the launching of what would be his most famous story, "The Saga of Mary Gold," Smith's relationship to his readers would be tested as never before. Its heartbreaking conclusion would change comics forever. Here for the first time since the story made headlines across America in the spring of 1929 we reprint the saga that Hogan's Alley magazine called "One of the Ten Biggest Events in Comics History"-a tale that has lost none of its power to captivate readers in the 21st Century.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 336 pages, B&W.

Cover price $19.99.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. "Polly and her Pals!"

Story and Art by Cliff Sterrett.

By the early 1930s Cliff Sterrett had transformed Polly and Her Pals into the world's premier surrealistic comic strip. Sterrett's Sunday pages (also being published by The Library of American Comics) have long been hailed as individual masterpieces, but his daily strips-due to their rarity-have eluded archivists for the past ninety years. The strips reprinted here-the complete year of 1933 dailies-show Sterrett at his most inventive!

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 336 pages, B&W.

Cover price $24.99.

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "1939: Alley Oop: The First Time Travel Adventure!"

Story and Art by VT Hamlin.

In 1939, Vincent Trout Hamlin had been writing and drawing the successful Alley Oop for more than five years. In Alley Oop, Hamlin created a unique concept, marrying his fascination with dinosaurs and prehistoric times to a rollicking style of storytelling and drawing that was simultaneously serious, fantastic, and loaded with slapstick. The series was set in the kingdom of Moo and starred Alley Oop, the club-wielding caveman, his girlfriend Ooola, friends Dinny the dinosaur and Foozy, and more! This volume features Oop's final Moo adventure, followed by his trips to the 20th Century and ancient Greece. Hamlin would send his characters everywhere and everywhen - but the classic Alley Oop begins with the stories contained in this volume.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 336 pages, B&W.

Cover price $24.99.

Volume 5 - 1st printing. "1930: The Bungle Family!"

Story and Art by Harry J. Tuthill.

Art Spiegelman called The Bungle Family "the most underrated comic strip in our history." Bill Blackbeard wrote, "There has been nothing like it in comic strips since." Hogan's Alley magazine proclaimed, "The Bungle Family was about as wholly an adult comic strip as the field has ever known." Yet only sporadic examples of Harry J. Tuthill's masterpiece have been available to modern readers. Until now! This volume-collecting the complete 1930 dailies-remedies that situation.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 336 pages, B&W.

Cover price $24.99.

Volume 6 - 1st printing. "1917: Baron Bean!"

Story and Art by George Herriman.

The New York Journal of Books says that the first volume of LOAC Essentials (Baron Bean 1916) "sets the standard for archival and reprint quality." The Washington Times writes that it's "beautiful. It showcases Mr. Herriman's developing style and his move toward a combination of absurdity, surrealism, and art deco." Volume Six presents the second year of George Herriman's much-lauded pre-Krazy Kat masterpiece.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 328 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 7 - 1st printing. "1929: Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan of the Apes!"

Story and Art by Hal Foster and Rex Maxon.

The first 300 daily Tarzan comics ever produced, all in one place! LOAC Essentials brings you all of Hal Foster's first comics work, reproduced from ERB's syndicate proofs. In addition, this book includes "The Return of Tarzan," "Beasts of Tarzan," and "Son of Tarzan," each drawn by Rex Maxon.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 328 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 10 - 1st printing. "1933: Detective Dan, Secret Operative 48!"

Story and Art by Norman Marsh.

Considered the first comic book with original material ever produced, 1933's "Detective Dan, Secret Op. 48" was a landmark. It only lasted one issue before morphing into the Dan Dunn newspaper strip. A blatant copy of Chester Gould's Dick Tracy (Norman Marsh had been an art assistant to Gould), Dan Dunn was a rough and tumble Secret Service agent who exacted violent retribution on any criminal who dared cross his path. This book reprints the entire first year of daily comics.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 344 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 11 - 1st printing. "1945: Cap Stubs and Tippie!"

Story and Art by Edwina Dumm.

Collecting the works of one of the most important female cartoonists of all time, Tippie will appeal to comics readers, students of women's studies, and dog lovers. Edwina Dumm was the country's first female full-time editorial cartoonist, and one of its first female syndicated comic strip creators. Tippie is truly a Library of American Comics Essential, providing a crucial reading experience and offering perspective on the early work of women in the field. LOAC Essentials reprints, one year at a time, the daily newspaper strips that are essential to comics history, in a format that preserves, as closely as possible, the original reader experience.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 384 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 12 - 1st printing. "1918: Baron Bean: The Complete Third Year!"

Story and Art by George Joseph Harriman.

Reprinted for the very first time, these century-old strips comprise a key early work from the creator of Krazy Kat, perhaps the most lauded cartoonist of all time. This book concludes a three-volume LOAC Essentials sub-series by presenting the final year of Baron Bean, one of Herriman's richest and funniest creations, second only to Krazy Kat, whose citizens occasionally grace these panels.

The New York Journal of Books said that the first volume of LOAC Essentials (Baron Bean) "sets the standard for archival and reprint quality."

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 328 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 13 - 1st printing. "1938: Charlie Chan: The First Year of Comics from the Creator of Kerry Drake!"

Story and Art by Alfred Andriola.

As a famed hero of the mystery novels by Earl Derr Biggers, Inspector Charlie Chan reached even greater heights in a series of popular movies. As actor Sidney Toler was preparing to replace Warner Oland as the wily police detective in 1938, Alfred Andriola was tapped to create a newspaper strip version of the character. The pride of the Honolulu Police Department uses his intellect more than his fists to solve cases of international intrigue, and the syndicate's initial promotion called Charlie Chan "a new mystery strip, totally devoid of guns and gangsters" to separate it from Dick Tracy and his many hard-boiled imitators. Featuring the first complete year of daily strips, from October 1938 to November 1939, this volume offers readers exciting adventures, snappy dialogue, and arresting art.

A key early work from the creator of the long-running detective series Kerry Drake presented in a format that is as close as one can get to experiencing it as a daily comic.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 328 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Volume 14 - 1st printing. "1928: Barney Google for President and Other Classic Comics from the Roaring '20s!"

Story and Art by Billy Debeck.

Reprinting four classic Barney Google stories that define the strip! Barney and his horse Spark Plug get involved in all sorts of hijinks and schemes when they enter the Million-Dollar Cross-Country Marathon, decide to swim the English Channel, and when Barney joins the Secret and Mysterious Order of the Brotherhood of Billy Goats (in DeBeck's send-up of secret societies and fraternal lodges), culminating in Barney Google's historic run for President of the United States in 1928! Library of American Comics (LOAC) Essentials reprints, in yearly volumes, the daily newspaper strips that are essential to comics history, strips that are unique creations in their own right, while also contributing to the advancement of the medium. Available in December.

Hardcover (Horizontal Format), 11 1/2-in. x 4 1/2-in., 352 pages, B&W.

Cover price $29.99.

Add to cart Near Mint $24.00

Add to cart Near Mint $24.00

LIMITED HARDCOVER EDITION with custom endpapers - JUST 500 COPIES!

1st printing.

By Gle Cadigan. Art and cover by Dave Cockrum. Introduction by Alex Ross.

From the letters pages of Silver Age comics to his 2021 induction into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, the career of Dave Cockrum started at the bottom and then rose to the top of the comic book industry.

Beginning with his childhood obsession with comics and continuing through his years in the Navy, The Life and Art of Dave Cockrum follows the rising star from fandom (where he was one of the "Big Three" fanzine artists) to pro-dom, where he helped revive two struggling comic book franchises: the Legion of Super-Heroes and the X-Men. A prolific costume designer and character creator, his redesigns of the Legion and his introduction of X-Men characters Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird (plus his design of Wolverine's alter ego, Logan) laid the foundation for both titles to become best-sellers. His later work on his own property, The Futurians, as well as childhood favorite Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, plus his five years on Soulsearchers and Company, cemented his position as an industry giant.

Featuring artwork from fanzines, unused character designs, and other rare material, this is THE comprehensive biography of the legendary comic book artist, whose influence is still felt on the industry today! Written by Glen Cadigan (The Legion Companion, The Titans Companion Volumes 1 and 2, Best of the Legion Outpost) with an introduction by Alex Ross.

Hardcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 160 pages, full color.

NOTE: Limited to 500 copies.

Cover price $36.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $21.00

Add to cart Near Mint $21.00

1st printing.

By Gle Cadigan. Art and cover by Dave Cockrum. Introduction by Alex Ross.

From the letters pages of Silver Age comics to his 2021 induction into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, the career of Dave Cockrum started at the bottom and then rose to the top of the comic book industry.

Beginning with his childhood obsession with comics and continuing through his years in the Navy, The Life and Art of Dave Cockrum follows the rising star from fandom (where he was one of the "Big Three" fanzine artists) to pro-dom, where he helped revive two struggling comic book franchises: the Legion of Super-Heroes and the X-Men. A prolific costume designer and character creator, his redesigns of the Legion and his introduction of X-Men characters Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird (plus his design of Wolverine's alter ego, Logan) laid the foundation for both titles to become best-sellers. His later work on his own property, The Futurians, as well as childhood favorite Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, plus his five years on Soulsearchers and Company, cemented his position as an industry giant.

Featuring artwork from fanzines, unused character designs, and other rare material, this is THE comprehensive biography of the legendary comic book artist, whose influence is still felt on the industry today! Written by Glen Cadigan (The Legion Companion, The Titans Companion Volumes 1 and 2, Best of the Legion Outpost) with an introduction by Alex Ross.

Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 160 pages, full color.

Cover price $27.95.

1st printing. The Life and Art of Murphy Anderson is a lavishly illustrated autobiographical memoir of the man whose style defined the DC look for a generation of fans! For the first time, comics historian R.C. Harvey has compiled an exhaustive look at the varied career of this cartooning legend, best known for his ground-breaking work at DC Comics in the 1960s on such characters as Superman, Hawkman, Adam Strange, the Atomic Knights, and others! Murphy's recollections are peppered with comments and insights about the state of the art and behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes about other artists he encountered, and illustrated with a generous sampling of work from every phase of his career, particularly at Fiction House, Ziff-Davis, and DC Comics, all direct from his personal archives. It's the ultimate look at the career of one of comics' top talents! Softcover, 8-in. x 11-in., 160 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. His World is a penetrating biographical portrait of pioneering cartooning legend Wallace Wood, generously illustrated with gorgeous art as well as little seen personal photos and childhood ephemera. This collective biographical and critical portrait explores the humorous spirit, dark detours, and psychological twists of a gifted maverick in American pop culture. Contributions by Bill Gaines, Grant Geissman, Larry Hama, Paul Kirchner, Trina Robbins, John Severin, Tom Sutton, Al Williamson and more! Hardcover, 9-in. x 12-in., 304 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $39.99.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. The Life and Legend of Wallace Wood Volume 2 is a stunning portrait of one of the most mythic figures in American cartooning. Bursting with artwork and photos along with the remembrances of friends, colleagues, and loved ones discussing the spirit, the psychological twists, the struggles with censorship and alcoholism and the slide into pornography of this complicated maverick of American pop culture. Compiled over more than three decades, The Life and Legend of Wallace Wood Volume 2 completes this remarkable portrait of a legendary comics creator. Hardcover, 9-in. x 12-in., 232 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $39.99.

1st printing. By Peter Benjaminson. The first biography of a major American cultural symbol ever written, The Life and Times of Betty Boop describes Betty Boop's incredibly active romantic and family life as revealed in her numerous comic strips, comic books, cartoons, and movies since 1930. Award-winning author Peter Benjaminson details the creation of Betty Boop, based on two African American female entertainers who were the human models for Betty's character. He explores the many alterations of Betty's appearance, attitudes, and behavior over the years. Benjaminson also reveals the stories of the women who provided her with a speaking and singing voice, along with the backgrounds, intentions, and careers of Betty's numerous creators and animators. The Life and Times of Betty Boop indulges in the controversies surrounding the character, including her adventures with Felix the Cat (a four-year daily comic strip production). Benjaminson illuminates social trends that have kept Betty popular for nearly a century, including her recent transition from a helpless sex object to a feminist icon and her massive popularity with young American women. Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 240 pages, PC. Cover price $19.95.

1st printing.

Written by Todd James Pierce. Art by Ward Kimball.

Besides Walt Disney, no one seemed more key to the development of animation at the Disney Studios than Ward Kimball (1914-2002), Kimball was Disney's friend and confidant.

In this engaging, cradle-to-grave biography, award-winning author Todd James Pierce explores the life of Ward Kimball, a lead Disney animator who worked on characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, the Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter. Through unpublished excerpts from Kimball's personal writing, material from unpublished interviews, and new information based on interviews conducted by the author, Pierce defines the life of perhaps the most influential animator of the twentieth century.

Hardcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 320 pages, Text Only.

Cover price $30.00.

1st printing.

Written by Trina Robbins. Art and cover by Anne Timmons and Mo Oh.

In 1938, Lily Renée Wilheim is a 14-year-old Jewish girl living in Vienna. Her days are filled with art and ballet.

Then the Nazis march into Austria, and Lily's life is shattered overnight. Suddenly, her own country is no longer safe for her or her family. To survive, Lily leaves her parents behind and travels alone to England. Escaping the Nazis is only the start of Lily's journey. She must escape many more times-from servitude, hardship, and danger. Will she find a way to have her own sort of revenge on the Nazis?

Follow the true story of a brave girl who becomes an artist of heroes and a pioneer in comic books.

Softcover, 6 1/2-in. x 9 1/2-in., 96 pages, full color.

Cover price $7.95.

1st printing.

By Adam Geczy and Jonathan McBurnie. Cover by Josh Boyer.

Critical studies of the graphic novel have often employed methodologies taken from film theory and art criticism. Yet, as graphic novels from Maus to Watchmen entered the literary canon, perhaps the time has come to develop theories for interpreting and evaluating graphic novels that are drawn from classic models of literary theory and criticism.

Using the methodology of Georg Lukács and his detailed defense of literary realism as a socially embedded practice, Litcomix tackles difficult questions about reading graphic novels as literature. Whether looking at graphic novel adaptations of Proust or considering how Jack Kirby's use of intertextuality makes him the Balzac of comics, this study offers fresh perspectives on how we might appreciate graphic novels as literature.

Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 270 pages, Text (with full color and B&W Illustrations).

Cover price $29.95.

1st printing.

By Paul Levitz.

The Little Books are a spinoff of the larger DC series from Taschen but focused on one superhero per book. It covers from the Golden Age to the Modern Age with a short introduction by Paul Levitz and captions throughout. Text in English, French, and German.

Softcover (Flexicover), 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. He made his debut in late 1940 in Captain America Comics #1, fighting Nazis at every turn. Twenty years after World War II, he was found frozen in ice. Now a man living in the wrong time, he became the leader of the Avengers, and fought some of the Marvel Universe's greatest villains: Red Skull, Baron Zemo, Batroc the Leaper, MODOK, and even Cap's former sidekick, now known as the Winter Soldier. With 192 pages of images and text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of Captain America is your ultimate guide to comics' greatest super patriot! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

2022 Edition was Originally Only Available in the Mighty World of Marvel Box Set

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. He made his debut in late 1940 in Captain America Comics #1, fighting Nazis at every turn. Twenty years after World War II, he was found frozen in ice. Now a man living in the wrong time, he became the leader of the Avengers, and fought some of the Marvel Universe's greatest villains: Red Skull, Baron Zemo, Batroc the Leaper, MODOK, and even Cap's former sidekick, now known as the Winter Soldier. With 192 pages of images and text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of Captain America is your ultimate guide to comics' greatest super patriot! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color.

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. They debuted in Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, and have gone on to be iconic not only as a team, but as individuals. Reed "Mister Fantastic" Richards, Sue "Invisible Girl" Storm, Johnny "Human Torch" Storm, and Ben "The Thing" Grimm are all iconic heroes, who love and fight with each other as only families can - and they take down otherworldly bad guys like Dr. Doom and Galactus in the process. More than 50 years, thousands of comics, four animated and four feature films later, they remain one of the most enduring and exciting super-teams in pop culture. With 192 pages of images and text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of Fantastic Four is your comprehensive guide to this famous foursome! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

2022 Edition was Originally Only Available in the Mighty World of Marvel Box Set

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. He made his debut in 1963, in Tales of Suspense #39, wearing a cumbersome gray exoskeleton that looked more like a robot than a man. After a re-design, he became an integral member of the Avengers, and he fought evil at every turn - as well as his intense personal demons. More than fifty years and countless comics adventures later, Iron Man became a box-office smash, and one of the most popular super heroes in the world. Softcover (Flexicover), 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color.

2022 Edition was Originally Only Available in the Mighty World of Marvel Box Set

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. Since his debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962, Spider-Man has been a hero to millions. Peter Parker was an ordinary teen who received powers from a radioactive spider, and failed to stop the man who would murder his uncle. This led him on a singular quest to take on the mantle of Spider-Man and rid New York City of the bad guys, and we've been rooting for him ever since. For more than 50 years he's been a star of comic books, television, movies, and Broadway, and now, with 192 pages of images with text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of Spider-Man is your authoritative guide to the everyman super hero! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color.

Add to cart Very Good $3.10

1st printing. By Michael Heatley. Superheroes - fictional characters fighting evil with superhuman powers, gadgets, and way-out weapons - have fascinated us ever since Superman first donned his cape and tights back in 1938. The Little Book of Super Heroes charts the growth of the genre, profiling the most notable superheroes and giving insight into their creation. It's topped off by quotes, trivia and a guide to collectables from Marvel Comics to Corgi Batmobiles. Hardcover, 6-in. x 6-in., 128 pages, full color.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.99

Add to cart Very Fine $7.99

1st printing. By Paul Levitz. The Little Books are a spinoff of the larger DC series from Taschen but focused on one superhero per book. It covers from the Golden Age to the Modern Age with a short introduction by Paul Levitz and captions throughout. Text in English, French, and German. Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

1st printing. By Roy Thomas. Iron Man! Thor! The Hulk! Wasp! Ant-Man! These five iconic characters made their debut as the first incarnation of the most exciting super-team ever assembled in September 1963, in The Avengers #1. From Captain America to Black Panther to Beast and Mockingbird and She-Hulk, they gained and lost members, added former super villains to the team, and fought every threat imaginable, each one bigger than the last. From the West Coast to the Secret teams (not to mention the Dark and Young and Mighty and All-New), The Little Book of Avengers is your definitive guide to the greatest super-hero team the world has ever seen! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

1st printing. By Paul Levitz. The Little Books are a spinoff of the larger DC series from Taschen but focused on one superhero per book. It covers from the Golden Age to the Modern Age with a short introduction by Paul Levitz and captions throughout. Text in English, French, and German. Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, full color. Cover price $9.99.

Add to cart Very Fine $6.30

1st printing.

By John Johnston.

This is a trip down memory lane, looking back over some of the Patterson family's most memorable moments. Creator Lynn Johnston's commentary adds a behind-the-scenes element, as she describes some of her thoughts about the strip over the years.

Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 212 pages, PC/PB&W.

Cover price $14.95.

1st printing.

By Michelle Nolan.

For the better part of three decades romance comics were an American institution. Nearly 6,000 romance comics were published between 1947 and 1977, and there was a time when one of every five comics sold in the U.S. was a romance comic.

This first book devoted entirely to the rarely studied world of romance comics features information on several types of romance comics and their creators, plus the history, numbers, and publishing frequency of dozens of romance titles.

Hardcover, 256 pages, PC/PB&W.

1st printing.

Written by Roger Hill. Art and cover by Mac Raboy. Edited by Jon B. Cooke.

Beginning with his WPA etchings during the 1930s, Mac Raboy struggled to survive the Great Depression and eventually found his way into the comic book sweatshops of America. In that world of four-color panels, he perfected his art style on such creations as Dr. Voodoo, Zoro, The Mystery Man, Bulletman, Spy Smasher, Green Lama and his crowning achievement, Captain Marvel Jr. Raboy went on to illustrate the Flash Gordon Sunday newspaper strip, and left behind a legacy of meticulous perfection.

Through extensive research and interviews with son David Raboy, and assistants who worked with the artist during the Golden Age of Comics, author Roger Hill brings Mac Raboy, the man and the artist, into focus for historians to savor and enjoy.

This full-color hardcover includes never-before-seen photos, a wealth of rare and unpublished artwork, and the first definitive biography of a true Master of the Comics!

Hardcover, 160 pages, full color.

Cover price $39.95.

1st printing. By Lance Parkin. For three decades comics fans and creators have looked to Alan Moore to map out the state of the art of the medium. In works such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell he has redefined the possibilities of the genre,attracting literary plaudits and a mainstream audience. Yet his career is a perfect illustration of grand imagination smashing headlong into corporate mediocrity. A principled eccentric, rooted in a very English counter-culture, to this very day he lives in the town of his birth, Northampton, professing greater interest in performance art, magic, and erotica than he does a business he regards as exploitative and derivative. Moreover, his journey from the punky art labs of the 1970s to the bestseller lists has seen him embroiled in fierce feuds with some of the entertainment industry's biggest companies. Now, in anticipation of his 60th birthday, Moore aficionado Lance Parkin goes in search of this extraordinary gentleman, and reveals a writer quite unlike any other working today. Hardcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 400 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $29.95.

1st printing. By Mike Benton. A behind-the-scenes look at comic collecting! Includes hints and advice on collecting vs. investing, organizing your collection, protecting your collection, where do prices come from, a guide to price guides, making money in comics, predicting the future, investing in Marvels, the trap of the first issue, and investing in the '70s!, A fun read and look back at the growing hobby of comic book collecting from the 1980s. Softcover, 58 pages, B&W. Cover price $12.95.

1st printing. By Craig Thompson. Brought together for the first time in a single volume, lost classics from recent decades of underground and independent British and American comic-strip art, including outrageous sex stories of trendsetting Vice.com founder Gavin MacInnes (PERVERT), the miraculous-in-the-mundane diary comics of John Welding (Goathland), and Paul O'Connell's chilling yet darkly funny cut-ups, The Sound of Drowning. Also Through the Habitrails, the little-known masterpiece by Jeff Nicholson, early work from publishing sensation Craig Thompson (creator of Blankets and Habibi). And mercilessly accurate parodies of bestselling graphic novels such as Art Spiegelman's Maus and Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library and Jimmy Corrigan. Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 512 pages, B&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Fine $5.80

Add to cart Fine $5.80

Add to cart Very Good $7.10

1st printing. Edited by Glenn Yeffeth. Through in-depth analyses of the comics, films, and cartoons, leading writers discuss, debate, and celebrate the American myth and legend of Superman's media empire. Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 230 pages, Text Only. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $16.00

Add to cart Near Mint $16.00

1st printing. Edited by Lou Tambone and Rich Handley. Foreword by Bob Rozakis. The Joker has been a goofy trickster, a giggling lunatic, a psychopathic killer, a methodical mastermind, a failed comedian, and an unstoppable force. It all depends on the writer and artist telling the story. He's the Clown Prince of Crime, the Man Who Laughs, an agent of chaos. He has no special abilities or superpowers, but also no moral code or grip on reality. The Joker is charismatic, terrifying, unpredictable, and downright hilarious. The only method to this criminal's madness is that there is no method. This anthology offers more than twenty perspectives on the yin to Batman's yang, written by respected comic creators, historians, and industry insiders. So step right into the mouth of madness. The joke's on us, and we'd like to let you in on it. Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 218 pages, Text. Cover price $24.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $19.00

Add to cart Near Mint $19.00

1st printing.

By Craig Rousseau.

Manga is a form of Japanese narrative art that has grown over the centuries to become a global phenomenon in the post-World War II era. Initially referring to graphic novels and comics, manga has expanded beyond its original forms to include animation, fashion, and new media. Arranged into six thematic chapters, each opening with an essay, followed by interviews and art selections, this revealing study traces the origins of manga and explores its role in society, and its appearance in different media, from video games to street art, as well as its growing international reach.

The voices of manga artists and editors are reflected throughout the book, along with critical analysis by leading scholars.

Hardcover, 320 pages, PC/PB&W.

Cover price $39.95.

1st printing.

By by Paul Gravett.

This lavishly illustrated volume presents an accessible and entertaining introduction to the development and diversity of manga from the 1940s to the present.

It features striking graphics and extracts form a wide range of manga, covering as such themes as: the specific attributes of manga in relation to American and European comics; the life and career of Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy and originator of story manga; boys comics from the 1960s to the present; the genre of girls' and women's comics; the darker, more realistic themes of gekiga violent samurai, disturbing horror, and apocalyptic science fiction; issues of censorship and protest; and manga's role as a major Japanese export and global influence.

Softcover, 9 1/21-in. x 11-in., 176 pages, PC/PB&W.

Cover price $24.95.

1st printing.

By Frederik L. Schodt. Foreword by Osamu Tezuka.

This is an introduction into the world of Japanese comics - a.k.a. Manga! Includes 96 pages from Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix, Reiji Matsumoto's Ghost Warrior, Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versalles, and Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen.

Softcover, 260 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

NOTE: "COMICS! They're so much more than illustrated stories. They're a key to understanding a nation's people and it's culture. Slashing samurai, gorgeous geisha, nefarious ninja, rambunctious robots, and much more... Congratulations to Frederik L. Schodt for introducing us to the wonderful world of Japanese comics in this beautiful book. Excelsior!" Stan Lee

Add to cart Fine $35.00

Add to cart Fine $35.00

2nd and later printings.

By Frederik L. Schodt. Foreword by Osamu Tezuka.

This is an introduction into the world of Japanese comics - a.k.a. Manga! Includes 96 pages from Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix, Reiji Matsumoto's Ghost Warrior, Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versalles, and Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen.

Softcover, 260 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

NOTE: "COMICS! They're so much more than illustrated stories. They're a key to understanding a nation's people and it's culture. Slashing samurai, gorgeous geisha, nefarious ninja, rambunctious robots, and much more... Congratulations to Frederik L. Schodt for introducing us to the wonderful world of Japanese comics in this beautiful book. Excelsior!" Stan Lee

1st printing.

By Frederik L. Schodt. Foreword by Osamu Tezuka.

This is an introduction into the world of Japanese comics - a.k.a. Manga! Includes 96 pages from Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix, Reiji Matsumoto's Ghost Warrior, Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versalles, and Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen.

Softcover, 260 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $14.95.

2nd and later printings.

By Frederik L. Schodt. Foreword by Osamu Tezuka.

This is an introduction into the world of Japanese comics - a.k.a. Manga! Includes 96 pages from Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix, Reiji Matsumoto's Ghost Warrior, Riyoko Ikeda's The Rose of Versalles, and Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen.

Softcover, 260 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. By David Yurkovich. Writer David Yurkovich (Less Than Heroes) has collaborated with over a dozen of the comic industry's best-known writers and authors to produce a benefit project for writer Bill Mantlo. Mantlo was a prolific author who wrote almost exclusively for Marvel throughout the 1970s and into the late 1980s. He scripted nearly every major Marvel character including Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the Hulk, and brought toy products like Rom and Micronauts to Marvel. Mantlo's creations include Cloak And Dagger. In the early 1990s, Mantlo sustained severe head injury after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. He has required full-time nursing care ever since. This book is a retrospective of Mantlo's career, with comments and reflections from many of his industry colleagues, as well as members of Mantlo's family. Includes a 12-page section of previously unpublished Mantlo material, and features an introduction by Bill's brother and guardian, Michael Mantlo. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $7.50.

1st printing.

By Dewey Cassell and Aaron Sultan.

Marie Severin was born into a family of artists, and she made friendships in comics that have lasted a lifetime. She colored the horror, science fiction, and war comics of the legendary EC line, and spent thirty years working for Marvel Comics, doing everything from production and coloring to penciling, inking, and art direction. This loving tribute contains revealing and often amusing insights of her close friends including Stan Lee, Al Feldstein, Roy Thomas, John Romita, Jack Davis, Jack Kamen, Tony Isabella, Gene Colan, Jim Mooney, Joe Sinnott, Mark Evanier, and David Anthony Kraft, plus an extensive commentary by Marie herself.

Softcover, 8-in. x 11-in., 176 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $24.95.

NOTE: All Text is in Spanish.

1st printing.

A look at the amazing highlights form the career of one of the most celebrated science fiction artists of all time from 1985 to 2005. Featuring pieces and behind-the-scenes break downs of Xenozoic Tales, Conan, Tarzan, The Spirit, Predator, Star Wars, Turok and many more pop culture giants that Mark Schultz has lent his incredible talents to.

Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 212 pages, PC/PB&W.

NOTE: All Text in is Spanish.