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Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Marvel Comics: Marvel Pop-Up


I collect comic books.  I have about 15,000 of them.  I also have a room and part of a garage full of comic book related collectibles such as toys, books, trading cards-well, you get the idea.

One set of unique comic book collectibles I find especially interesting is a set of three books.

In 2007 Candlewick Press created a series of three Pop-Up books about Spider-Man, The X-Men and The Hulk.

What makes these three books especially intriguing is that they not only feature killer art in all three titles but also Pop-Up action each time you turn a page.

Take The Amazing Spider-Man book for example.

The hardbound book is cut in an unusual manner-sort of an offset square.  It has a large binding with a unique double hinge design.

While the spin of the book is straight, indented front and back covers allow the book to open as to not tear away the POP-Up function.  The same goes for the other books.

Inside The Spider-Man book are double-page spreads consisting of pivotal scenes from Spider-Man’s impressive run of comic books.

The first page pops out Spider-Man and includes a flip-open side panel.  A pullout tab includes extra text.

The second twin page spotlights the Green Goblin with a similar side panel and pullout section and so it goes for the entire book.

Each double-page spread features Spider-Man fighting one of his classic villains.  It’s like reading a comic book in full 3D.

The X-Men and Hulk books follow the same format.

The trio of books is pretty impressive and is their clever binding and engineering feats.  It took a lot of effort and creativity to publish the books.  Sadly only three books exist in the set to my knowledge.  

Whether more were planned I have no idea.  It would have been nice to see an entire set of Marvel Comics Group Pop-Up books


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