Comic books in 'Big Book of TPB Factoid Books'

1st printing. Written by Jonathan Vankin, Paul Kirchner, Steve Vance and Anina Bennett. Art by various. Cover by Glenn Barr. Things go from bad to worse in this compendium of the best of the worst of practically everything! An array of comics' most talented artists--Eddie Campbell, Joe Sacco, Phil Jimenez, Colleen Doran, Darick Robertson and many more--turn their attentions to legendarily terrible "bad guys" (both real and fictional), artists, scientific movements, places and historical events. From Dracula to Liberace, from Las Vegas to Stalinist purges, no stone is left unturned! Mature Readers. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Bronwyn Carlton. Introduction by Luc Sante (author of Evidence and Lowlife). From the cradle to the grave (with an emphasis on the latter), this Factoid Book covers everything you ever wanted to know about death and dying, but weren't morbid enough to ask. If it has to do with the hereafter, you'll find it here with art by Robin Smith, Rebecca Guay, Steve Dillon, John Estes, Phil Winslade, Randy DuBurke, Richard Piers Rayner, Linda Medley, Glenn Barr, Tristan Schane, and dozens of others. Cover by Tom Taggart. Mature Readers. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 224 pages, B&W. Cover price $12.95.

1st printing. Introduction by Ricky Jay (author, illusionist and scholar of the unusual). In the newest Factoid Book, legendary cartoonist, author and master of the macabre Gahan Wilson guides readers through the world of "freaks"--a world of sideshows, spectacles and evolutionary anomalies going back to the middle ages, with biographies of dozens of the most eminent of these special people. With Wilson's uniquely skewed perspective and the talents of a host of collaborating artists, including Glenn Barr, Rick Geary, Rick Parker, Frank Quitely and Mary Wilshire, this remarkable work is a fascinating look at a bizarre, forbidden aspect of the human condition. Cover by Tom Taggart. Mature Readers. SC, 8 1/2 x 11, 224pg, B&W, Big Book Format. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Joel Rose. Art by over 57 of the world's best comics artists. THE BIG BOOK OF HOAXES is an entertaining encyclopedia of the most amazing deceptions, fables, and cons in the history of the world. Reporting on the unbelievable scams that have fooled people throughout time, this fascinating book documents the "true tales of the greatest lies ever told." From Orson Welles' War of the Worlds invasion to the actual sale of the Brooklyn Bridge to the woman who was impregnated by a six-foot rabbit, this black and white volume reveals just how gullible and manipulative man can be. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Paul Kirchner. Art by over 70 of the world's best comics artists. Whether cursed by fate, stupidity, or genetics, THE BIG BOOK OF LOSERS tells the tales of real people who were forced to endure a damned existence. Exploring the unfortunate adventures of those who could not catch a break, this amazing reference book documents the stories of people who have lost in life, sports, business, and politics. From President Garfield, who died after several incompetent doctors turned a small bullet wound into a huge, festering malady to the woman who burned her husband's life savings in the oven, this tome shows that some people are just destined to come out on the bottom. Also included in this book are the most legendary loser products such as New Coke, the female urinal, and the paper dress. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Jonathan Vankin. Art by over 50 of the world's best comics artists. THE BIG BOOK OF THE 70'S is a comprehensive and educational journey back to the most tumultuous and tacky decade of modern history. Using comic strips to revisit the "Me" Era, this entertaining cultural history text looks at the origins and emergence of such oddities as the pet rock, bell bottoms, mood rings, disco, streaking, and running. But at the same time deeper issues like Vietnam, the women's movement, terrorism, and the gasoline shortage are also treated with the respect that they deserve. A roller coaster ride through a time of extreme change and diversity, this book shows not only the fads and phenomena of the seventies but also how they have affected today's society. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Doug Moench. Art by over 60 of the world's best comics artists. Introduction by Rev. Ivan Stang of the Church of the Subgenius. Featuring allegedly true tales of treachery from the information underground! The newest 'Factoid Book' from Paradox Press is filled with answers to questions keeping many people awake at night: Did man ever really land on the moon? What part did the Nazis play in the formation of the CIA? Whatever happened to the Holy Grail? What's the truth behind the deaths of JFK, RFK, MLK Jr., Malcolm X and Karen Silkwood? Is there a UFO coverup? These topics and more are explored by writer Doug Moench and artists Brett Ewins, Rick Geary, Michael Avon Oeming, Kevin O'Neill, Richard Piers Rayner, Baron Storey, Bryan Talbot and more! It's a bold venture into another fascinating aspect of the human condition! Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 224 pages, B&W. Mature Readers. Cover price $12.95.

1st printing. From Al Capone to Bugsy Siegel to John Gotti, people have a strange fascination with the dark doings of lawbreakers. Much is known about these "big" criminals, but what of the ones we never hear about? What about the little ones, the clever ones, the unusual ones? Following its foray into the little-known worlds of weirdos, freaks and others, Paradox Press plunges into the underworld with this definitive guide to unscrupulous characters. Meet the forgotten legends among America's most wanted: "Pittsburgh" Phil: the original "out-of-town hit man." Phil belonged to Murder Inc., a real organization of paid mob killers. When he was finally arrested, he broke down and lost his mind. Or did he...? "Honest" John Kelly: the first income tax preparer for the Ringling Bros. Circus. According to him, the circus mysteriously lost elephants, lions and rhinos all over the country. Fortunately, these were able to be claimed as business losses and tax deductions. Louie "Pretty" Amberg: the ugliest gangster in New York. He actually bought a laundry company just so he could use the laundry bags to dump all the corpses he was generating. These malefactors and others populate The Big Book of Little Criminals in humorous and informative short stories by a number of authors of true crime, crime fiction and comics: George Hagenauer, Carl Sifakis, Joel Rose and Tom Peyer. Little Criminals includes the art of Ty Templeton, Rick Parker, Frank Quitely, Marshall Rogers, Alec Stevens, and many others. Cover by Tom Taggart. 192-page softcover, Mature Readers, Big Book Format (black & white with color covers, 8 1/2" x 11", squarebound). Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Jonathan Vankin. Art by over 50 of the world's best comics artists. A riveting look at the power of greed, sex and perversion, THE BIG BOOK OF SCANDAL uncovers the sordid details of the most shocking and public scandals of all time. Focusing on the indiscretions of the rich and famous, this book combines fact and humor to reveal the skeletons in the closets of Hollywood, politics, society and business. From philandering presidents to sinful celebrities to duplicitous businessmen, this illuminating volume uses the sequential art form of comic strips to expose the dishonorable and document their disgrace. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Adapted by Robert Loren Fleming and Robert F. Boyd, Jr. Introduction and commentary by Jan Harold Brunvand (author of The Vanishing Hitchhiker and The Choking Doberman). This Eisner Award-winning Factoid Book contains 200 stories that have circulated across metropolitan areas, all invariably sworn to be true. "The Poodle in the Microwave," "The Mouse in the Coke Bottle" and "The Accidental Cannibals" are just a few of the legends presented in the premiere volume of this innovative line, featuring art by Art Adams, Christian Alamy, Terry Austin, Jackson Guice, Phil Jimenez, Kevin Maguire, Kevin Nowlan, Val Semeiks, Ty Templeton, and many others. Cover by Gregory Homs. Mature Readers. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 224 pages, B&W. Cover price $12.95.

2nd and later printings. Adapted by Robert Loren Fleming and Robert F. Boyd, Jr. Introduction and commentary by Jan Harold Brunvand (author of The Vanishing Hitchhiker and The Choking Doberman). This Eisner Award-winning Factoid Book contains 200 stories that have circulated across metropolitan areas, all invariably sworn to be true. "The Poodle in the Microwave," "The Mouse in the Coke Bottle" and "The Accidental Cannibals" are just a few of the legends presented in the premiere volume of this innovative line, featuring art by Art Adams, Christian Alamy, Terry Austin, Jackson Guice, Phil Jimenez, Kevin Maguire, Kevin Nowlan, Val Semeiks, Ty Templeton, and many others. Cover by Gregory Homs. Mature Readers. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 224 pages, B&W. Cover price $12.95.

1st printing. Written by John Wagner. Art by over 50 of the world's best comics artists. Distinguishing fact from fiction, THE BIG BOOK OF MARTYRS is a comprehensive study of the most popular and least-known saints who stood firm in their beliefs in the face of persecution. Told through the medium of comic strips, this black and white book documents the lives of religion's greatest heroes in a manner that is both inspirational and educational. Treating this subject matter with the reverence that it deserves, this volume includes the true histories of such legendary martyrs as John the Baptist, St. Agnes, St. Paul, Joan of Arc, St. Thomas More, and Edith Stein. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing.

Written by Joel Rose.

Featuring art by over 57 of the world's best comics artists.

From the gangs of ancient India to the modern mafia, THE BIG BOOK OF THUGS offers a historical and insightful overview of the most notorious gangs and mobs since the beginning of time. Analyzing the infamous group dynamic, this engrossing book delves into the immoral actions and tainted motivations of these organized packs. But neither romanticizing nor condemning their actions, this black and white comic text is an accurate portrait of the toughest mobs ever to walk the mean streets and rule the back alleys.

Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W.

Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Steve Vance. Art by over 60 of the world's best comics artists. THE BIG BOOK OF VICE examines humanity's worst habits in all their sinful glory. Ranging from true acts of debauchery to harmless infatuations, this guilty pleasure exposes the negative aspects of alcohol, gambling, tobacco, prostitution, drugs, pornography, candy, pinball machines, comic books and video games. Also expanding its reach to touch on the dens of immorality and the greatest advocates of errant behavior, this comic-style book includes special features on Las Vegas, Sodom, Phoenix City, Larry Flynt, Carrie Nation, and Timothy Leary. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by John Whalen. Art by over 60 of the world's best comics artists. Based on thorough research, THE BIG BOOK OF THE WEIRD WILD WEST presents an unabashed look at the violence, tragedy and strangeness of the American frontier. Using humor and wit to depict tales of cannibalism, gunfights, decapitations, curses, ghosts, cults, lynch mobs, alcoholism, prostitution, and airships, this amusing and informative tome presents the West in an unflattering but accurate fashion. Also included in this black and white comic strip book are the true histories and adventures of such western legends as Jesse James, Doc Holiday, Butch Cassidy, and the infamous Donner Party. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Based on the stories by the Brohters Grimm. Adapted by Jonathan Vankin. Featuring the art of over 50 different top comics Artists. Featuring the original, uncensored bedtime stories in all their "grim" glory! Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing. Written by Carl Posey. Introduction by cartoonist, novelist, and self-confessed weirdo Gahan Wilson. From Nikola Tesla to Isadora Duncan, from William Burroughs to Salvador Dali, this outrageous volume demonstrates that some of the most noteworthy people in history also may be the most peculiar. Featuring 67 short bios of notable weirdos by as many artists, including Dave DeVries, Hunt Emerson, Rebecca Guay, Peter Kuper, Joe Staton and Mike Zeck, The Big Book of Weirdos, like all Factoid Books, is 100% true, and proves that truth is indeed stranger--and weirder--than fiction. Cover by Tom Taggart. Mature Readers. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 224 pages, B&W. Cover price $12.95.

1st printing. Written by Doug Moench. Art by over 40 of the world's best comics artists. As the companion to THE BIG BOOK OF CONSPIRACIES, this intriguing text examines the strange phenomena and bizarre happenings that have occurred around the world and in outer space. Using sequential art and text to present these mysterious occurrences in an easily accessible manner, this black and white volume touches on such legendary curiosities as alien abductions, crop circles, alternate dimensions, space/time anomalies, synchronicity, and UFO sightings. Never preaching but simply introducing facts and theories, THE BIG BOOK OF THE UNEXPLAINED is a thought-provoking and entertaining text on paranormal mysteries. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.

2nd and later printings. Written by Doug Moench. Art by over 40 of the world's best comics artists. As the companion to THE BIG BOOK OF CONSPIRACIES, this intriguing text examines the strange phenomena and bizarre happenings that have occurred around the world and in outer space. Using sequential art and text to present these mysterious occurrences in an easily accessible manner, this black and white volume touches on such legendary curiosities as alien abductions, crop circles, alternate dimensions, space/time anomalies, synchronicity, and UFO sightings. Never preaching but simply introducing facts and theories, THE BIG BOOK OF THE UNEXPLAINED is a thought-provoking and entertaining text on paranormal mysteries. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95.