Help With Comic History

[babyblob]

Hello All. I am very interested in the hisotry of comics. I love hearing about behind the scenes stuff and how creators came up with their ideas.

So with that in mind I was wondering if anyone could tell me about any documentaries or websites where I can read about the history.

I have watched the pbs special Superheroes a never ending battle.

I want to learn more about jack Kirby. I thought Stan Lee created the Marvel universe but I am hearing Kirby had a lot to do with it as well. I watched a one hour doc on youtube about Kirby but I want to learn more. I have also watched all of the Secret History of Comics by Robert Kirkman

Thanks for any help.

[MRP]

Are you open to books as well?

try Marvel: The Untold Story by Sean Howe.

for more Kirby specific, try Mark Evanier's Kirby: King of Comics

Twomorrows also has a whole magazine devoted to Kirby called The Jack Kirby Collector, you can find their website here: https://twomorrows.com/index.php?mai...index&cPath=57

On youtube, try the Jack Kirby Museum, they have a ton of Kirby related content... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7A...6JWinw2i7kL0eg

syfy wire had a 2 part behind the panel series about Kirby leaving Marvel for DC, the first part can be found here: https://youtu.be/omsyFsj2H78

if you are on facebook, Kirby's family runs the Jack Kirby King of Comics page that has lots of interesting tidbits and artifacts about Kirby, found here: https://www.facebook.com/jackkirbyco...JtqA0udyzuJryR

Hope that helps...

-M

[babyblob]

Are you open to books as well?

try Marvel: The Untold Story by Sean Howe.

for more Kirby specific, try Mark Evanier's Kirby: King of Comics

Twomorrows also has a whole magazine devoted to Kirby called The Jack Kirby Collector, you can find their website here: https://twomorrows.com/index.php?mai...index&cPath=57

On youtube, try the Jack Kirby Museum, they have a ton of Kirby related content... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7A...6JWinw2i7kL0eg

syfy wire had a 2 part behind the panel series about Kirby leaving Marvel for DC, the first part can be found here: https://youtu.be/omsyFsj2H78

if you are on facebook, Kirby's family runs the Jack Kirby King of Comics page that has lots of interesting tidbits and artifacts about Kirby, found here: https://www.facebook.com/jackkirbyco...JtqA0udyzuJryR

Hope that helps...

-M

That is a lot of information. I am open to books. iwill watch the Syfy Wire show.
Thanks.

[kjn]

The Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium currently has the exhibition "Superheroes Never Die. Comics and Jewish Memories." It's there until April 26th.

You might find Julius Schwarz's autobiography "Man of Two Worlds: My Life in Science Fiction and Comics" interesting. Shows the close connection between early sf fandom and comics, and has lots of anecdotes and stuff about how DC was shaped.

[WillieMorgan]

I loved Grant Morrison's novel 'Supergods: Our World In The Age Of The Super Hero'. It was an awesome read and is pretty much essential to any lover of both the history and cultural significance of the medium as far as I'm concerned.

Morrison perfectly summarises both the history and the cultural legacy of the super-hero comic book genre here, including Kirby's immense contribution to the art form which Morrison can't rave enough about to be honest. From Action Comics #1 right though to the early years of this rapidly declining current decade, Morrison lays out the entire history of the super-hero genre with aplomb.

The only drawback that some might have to this book are that, at times, it strays too much into Morrison's own life and career. Like his comic-book work, this book is very esoteric and, well, Grant Morrison in places. It didn't bother me but may do other people. Still, highly recommended.

[Chris]

If you're looking to learn more about Kirby- and you definitely should- then you really ought to read Tales to Astonish by Ronin Ro. This one is a deep dive into the contentious and one-sided relationship between Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

As for more general histories check out:

Men of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones- This is a great book that delves into the very creation of the comic book medium. Amazing book but just be aware that the book's author is a real life scum bag.

The 10 Cent Plague- Awesome book that goes into the comic scare of the 1950's that almost saw the end of comics as we know them.

Supergods by Grant Morrison- part history of the medium, part philosophy book, part autobiography. This one is awesome.

Cheers!

[kjn]

Note: if one wants to avoid reading stuff by or about scumbags, the reading list will be extremely restricted.

[babyblob]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am going to pick up Marvel the untold Story on my Kindle when I get paid on friday. I will start there and go onto a few other books.

[DrNewGod]

For a decent set of short primers on a wide range of US comic books and newspaper strips, the Late (and much missed) Don Markham's Toonopedia remains a great source.

[MRP]

An older one, but a good one nonetheless is "All in Color for a Dime" edited by Don Thompson and Richard Lupoff. It was published in the early 70s and revised several times up through the 80s.

-M

[Chris]

Note: if one wants to avoid reading stuff by or about scumbags, the reading list will be extremely restricted.

Well, there's run of the mill comic book industry scum bags and then there's Gerard Jones who is currently doing time for possession of and distribution of child pornography.

[Rob Allen]

TwoMorrows also has a series of history books - the American Comic Book Chronicles. Each volume covers either a decade or a half-decade, looking closely at exactly what comics were published year by year.

https://twomorrows.com/index.php?mai...ook+chronicles

[babyblob]

Those the American Comic Book Chronicles books look good. But they are kinds of pricey for me right now. Maybe in the middle of the year.

[kjn]

Libraries are your friend.

[babyblob]

I just got Marvel the Untold Story on my kindle. I am going to spend the day reading that after I get done with my errands.