Marvel Comics

The Untold Story

By: Sean Howe

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 17 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The defining, behind-the-scenes chronicle of one of the most extraordinary, beloved, and dominant pop cultural entities in America’s history - Marvel Comics - and the outsized personalities who made Marvel, including Martin Goodman, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby.

“Sean Howe’s history of Marvel makes a compulsively readable, riotous and heartbreaking version of my favorite story, that of how a bunch of weirdoes changed the world…That it’s all true is just frosting on the cake.” (Jonathan Lethem)

For the first time, Marvel Comics tells the stories of the men who made Marvel: Martin Goodman, the self-made publisher who forayed into comics after a get-rich-quick tip in 1939; Stan Lee, the energetic editor who would shepherd the company through thick and thin for decades; and Jack Kirby, the WW II veteran who would co-create Captain America in 1940 and, 20 years later, developed with Lee the bulk of the company’s marquee characters in a three-year frenzy.

Incorporating more than 100 original interviews with those who worked behind the scenes at Marvel over a 70-year-span, Marvel Comics packs anecdotes and analysis into a gripping narrative of how a small group of people on the cusp of failure created one of the most enduring pop cultural forces in contemporary America.

©2012 Sean Howe (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Wow, ruly fascinating and sooo damned frustrating!

This was such a pleasure to listen to. The reader did a fantastic job and kept my attention the entire book, THANK YOU!
......

The original book must have been something quite interesting and perhaps quite frustrating as well.

I am glad to have experienced the audio version as my eyesight has become compromised a few years ago making a long read like this rather difficult.

The writer seems to have a fairly profound knowledge of Marvel's history, and of several artists and writers; this may not please everyone, but then again it does not seem to be a fanzine extolling the beautiful attributes of the company.

I dont see any personal attack or vendetta towards Stan Lee, his legacy is/was built by his working with those that helped him personally become what he became, not everyone does this, nor desires to such a thing... so no SL bashing as I'm sure his tenure was not entirely bliss.

I do feel more sorry for Jack, as he seems to be Stan's whipping boy for most of his term at Marvel, but then again when studying the great controversy and government mandated comic burnings and broad sweeping changes going on in the comic industry, maybe they were all scared and kind of running around the office with scissors. :-/

This is truly a very fine review of Marvel and I'm glad to recommend it to anyone interested in media history topics!

Cheers
JR

Amazing!

I’ve read a lot of marvel comics and have researched their history and I still didn’t know the majority of the information in this book. They do a great job telling the behind the scenes story of marvel. Starting with Martin Goodman founding the company as timely comics and their story in the 40s all the way through to the marvel cinematic universe.
Great for long time fans and new fans alike.

A very thorough history of Marvel

For being only 20+ hours long, this book crams a ton of history in. Now I just need to find a book about the behind the scenes when the movies started being made. Highly recommend

The Surprisingly Complete Story

I bought this book so I could learn the history of one of my favorite comic book industries, and I got more than I could chew at first, but then I was learning a lot about my favorite creators and writers throughout the years

I learned about Ditko, Kirby, Simon, and the rest of the alumni of the Marvel Bullpen. What was interesting was the 80’s and 90’s era of the company, and the rise of Image Comics. Must buy if you are a comics fan, or a fan of the industry in general.

You won’t regret it, true believers!

Make Mine MARVEL: THE UNTOLD STORY!

A great, detailed overview for both Casual & Non-Casual Fans Of The Comic Book Medium.

Second time listening!

The real life story of Marvel... I always tell people to read this. It's great even for the casual Marvel fan! It's seriously like Mad Men, with so many twists and turns, intrigue, humor, and human drama. At times it makes me straight up *guffaw* and at other times cry.

Understanding what was going on behind the scenes in the offices, culture, and industry at large gives so much more context to the comic runs. You finally have the answers to *why* certain characters were created, died, came back, disappeared, crossed over, evolved, etc. To learn Marvel history is also to learn some DC (Distinguished Competition) history, and genesis of your favorite independent publishers and niche imprints.

Five stars across the board. Enjoy!

Good History of Merry Ol’ Marvel

I found it a little slow in the beginning but it really picked up after Shooter joins the Company. The author seems to take no sides in the who created who debate. The last part after the image guys left seemed a bit rushed. After reading the book, I think there are more inherent dangers to working for a public company like Marvel.

Comprehensive hstorynof a company

Interesting historical tidbits that are not PSAT of the camonabout marvel.thenarratim was clear and emotive

Good comprehensive history of marvel comics.

Enjoyed this greatly, the ups and downs were completely displayed. would recommend to any fan.

Well.... that was depressing

Long story short. Don't create characters for a big-name comic book publisher. The people who might have created your favorite Marvel character(s) probably live or have died without being given their proper due.