Comics: A Global History, 1968 to Present

Comics: A Global History, 1968 to Present examines the evolution of comics across multiple countries and continents during a transformative period in the medium. The book tracks major developments in American superhero comics, European albums, manga, alternative comics, and underground movements. The authors present parallel narratives of how comics progressed in different regions, highlighting key creators, publications, and cultural moments that shaped each tradition. Technical innovations, shifting artistic approaches, and changes in production and distribution methods are documented through specific examples and representative works. This history maintains focus on comics as a visual medium while considering their relationship to concurrent social movements, technological advances, and economic factors. The scope encompasses mainstream commercial success stories alongside experimental and independent works from various nations. The book positions comics as a vital form of contemporary artistic and cultural expression, tracing their development from counterculture origins to current prominence in global media. Through its international perspective, the work reveals how different comics traditions influenced and responded to each other while maintaining distinct regional characteristics.

Readers note this book provides detailed coverage of comics beyond the mainstream American superhero genre, with strong focus on European and Japanese works. Many appreciate the emphasis on underground/alternative comics and social movements that influenced creators. Likes: - High quality reproductions and images - Coverage of lesser-known international artists and movements - Clear organization by decade and region - Analysis of cultural/political context Dislikes: - Text can be dense and academic in tone - Some readers wanted more coverage of webcomics and digital formats - Price point considered high by some ($45+) - Limited discussion of comics before 1968 One reader commented: "Finally a comics history that gives equal weight to works from different continents rather than just focusing on Marvel/DC." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (32 ratings) The book scores highest among academic readers and comics historians, with slightly lower ratings from casual readers seeking a lighter overview.

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🗸 While most comic histories focus heavily on superhero comics, this book dedicates significant coverage to underground comix, European albums, and manga, showing how these different traditions influenced each other globally. 🗸 The book begins in 1968, a pivotal year that saw the rise of underground comix in the US, student protests in Europe, and the emergence of gekiga (dramatic, adult-oriented manga) in Japan. 🗸 Co-author Dan Mazur is not only a comics historian but also creates his own comics and runs the Boston Comics Roundtable, an independent comics community organization. 🗸 The book explores how political movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s influenced comics worldwide, from feminist underground comics in the US to left-wing manga in Japan. 🗸 Rather than treating comics as a purely American art form, the authors examine parallel developments across continents, showing how creators in different countries were often working on similar innovations simultaneously.