Comic Book History of Comics

The Comic Book History of Comics presents its subject matter in comic book form, telling the story of how sequential art and graphic storytelling developed across different cultures and time periods. The book traces the evolution from early cave paintings through newspaper strips to modern graphic novels. Fred Van Lente and artist Ryan Dunlavey chronicle the key figures who shaped comics as both an art form and an industry. They explore the origins of superheroes, underground comix, manga, and other major movements in the medium. The narrative covers pivotal moments like the comics code controversy, the rise of Marvel Comics, and the emergence of alternative comics scenes. Technical innovations, business developments, and cultural shifts that impacted comics receive equal attention. This meta approach - using comics to tell the history of comics - allows for direct demonstration of different styles and techniques while examining their historical context. The book raises questions about art, commerce, and the complex relationship between popular culture and society.

Readers found this comic to be an accessible introduction to comics history, though some noted its focus on American superhero comics over other genres and regions. Likes: - Clear explanations of legal battles and creator rights issues - Humor and meta approach of telling comics history through comics - Ryan Dunlavey's illustrations help explain complex industry concepts - Effective coverage of the Golden and Silver Age periods Dislikes: - Limited coverage of underground comix, manga, and European comics - Some found the jokes and puns distracting from the historical content - Several readers noted factual errors and oversimplifications - Too brief coverage of modern webcomics and digital publishing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads wrote: "Perfect for comics newcomers, but experienced fans might want more depth." Another noted: "The visual format helps complex industry concepts stick better than text alone would."

The Ten-Cent Plague by David Hajdu This history chronicles the 1950s anti-comic book crusade and its impact on the comics industry through interviews with creators and cultural analysis.

Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones The book traces comic books' origin story through the lives of creators Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and the businessmen who shaped the industry.

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe The book presents Marvel Comics' behind-the-scenes history from the 1940s to the 2000s through staff interviews and business documents.

Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines by Carolyn Cocca This examination traces the representation of female superheroes in comics from Wonder Woman to modern characters through cultural and historical contexts.

Supergods by Grant Morrison The book combines comics history with analysis of superhero mythology through the perspective of a comic book writer's career experiences.

🔹 Despite being a respected comic historian, Fred Van Lente is also a prolific comic book writer himself, having written for major titles like Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hercules, and Archer & Armstrong. 🔹 The book was originally released as a six-issue comic book series titled "Comic Book Comics" before being collected into a single volume. 🔹 The artwork for the book was done by Ryan Dunlavey, who deliberately mimicked different artistic styles throughout to match the era being discussed in each section. 🔹 While the book covers American comics extensively, it also explores the influential manga industry of Japan and traces how comics evolved differently in various cultures. 🔹 The book's unique format makes it possibly the only comprehensive history of comics that is itself told entirely in comic book form, effectively demonstrating the medium while explaining its history.