Understanding Superhero Comic Books

A History of Key Elements, Creators, Events and Controversies

De: Alex Grand

Narrado por: Alex Grand

This work dissects the origin and growth of superhero comic books, their major influences, and the creators behind them. It demonstrates how Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and many more stand as time capsules of their eras, rising and falling with societal changes, and reflecting an amalgam of influences. The book covers in detail the iconic superhero comic book creators and their unique contributions in their quest for realism, including Julius Schwartz and the science-fiction origins of superheroes; the collaborative design of the Marvel Universe by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko; Jim Starlin’s incorporation of the death of superheroes in comic books; John Byrne and the revitalization of superheroes in the modern age; and Alan Moore’s deconstruction of superheroes.

©2023 McFarland (P)2024 McFarland

Just Wow

Incredible information, well thought out and informative. I would recommend to anyone with interest in the subject

Authors Should Not Narrate Their Books

Hire a narrator, for goodness sake! Lots of interesting information and history in this book, but the author/narrator speaks in a monotone voice and does not pause between subject matter. This makes it very difficult to follow on audio.

A very deeply researched historical text

Mr Grand has written the definitive book on the history of comics. He is very professional, but that adds to the charm of the book in my opinion. Well done.

Top Notch All The Way

Dr. Grand has written and performed a great history of not just comic book superheroes, but the entire industry. I loved the narrative thread he kept through the history, while all the facts felt fresh and relatable. Top notch.

This is for comic book fans, and so much more!

I just wrapped this one up by Alex Grand. It does precisely what the title says it will. A detailed journey through the history of comic books. As a child of the 70s, it was a wonderful trip back in time, opening insights to a point in my life when comic books were everything to me. Yet, there was a whole host of things going on behind the scenes that I knew nothing of -creation, theft, hilarity, innovation, stardom, racial tension, legal battles, ego battles, sexuality, and censorship. I found revelations that stunned me, made me laugh, and others that angered me. Alex Grand laid it all out in a manner that held my attention all the way through. A thought-provoking testament on human nature, American business practices, and the power of the imagination.