Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman [2 volumes]Randy Duncan, Matthew J. Smith Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2013 M01 29 - 948 pages This book explores how the heroes and villains of popular comic books—and the creators of these icons of our culture—reflect the American experience out of which they sprang, and how they have achieved relevance by adapting to, and perhaps influencing, the evolving American character. Multiple generations have thrilled to the exploits of the heroes and villains of American comic books. These imaginary characters permeate our culture—even Americans who have never read a comic book grasp what the most well-known examples represent. But these comic book characters, and their creators, do more than simply thrill: they make us consider who we are and who we aspire to be. Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman contains 100 entries that provide historical background, explore the impact of the comic-book character on American culture, and summarize what is iconic about the subject of the entry. Each entry also lists essential works, suggests further readings, and contains at least one sidebar that provides entertaining and often quirky insight not covered in the main entry. This two-volume work examines fascinating subjects, such as how the superhero concept embodied the essence of American culture in the 1930s; and the ways in which comic book icons have evolved to reflect changing circumstances, values, and attitudes regarding cultural diversity. The book's coverage extends beyond just characters, as it also includes entries devoted to creators, publishers, titles, and even comic book related phenomena that have had enduring significance. |
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adventures Alan Moore Amazing Spider-Man American comics AMERICAN CULTURE animated appeared Aquaman Archie Arkham artists Award Batman became Black Captain America Captain Marvel cartoon cartoonist character comic book comic strip Comic-Con Comics Code comics industry Comics Journal costume created creators crime Crumb Dark Horse DC Comics debuted Ditko early edited Eisner fanboy fans Fantagraphics Fantastic Four featured fiction film FURTHER READING Gaiman genre graphic novel Green Lantern Harvey Hellboy heroes horror Hulk iconic Illustrated Image Comics IMPACT ON AMERICAN IMPACT ON COMICS inspired issues Jack Kirby Joker Kubert Kurtzman later Luthor magazine mainstream Marvel Comics Maus movie narrative original panel publication readers reprints Richie Rich Robin Sacco Sandman Scott Scrooge Shuster Siegel Spiegelman Stan Lee star Steranko stories storyline storytelling success Supergirl superhero superhero comics Superman Swamp Thing television tion titles University villains Watchmen Wizard Wolverine Wonder Woman writer X-Men York