From Aargh! To Zap!

There is a plethora of books published about comic books, their history, characters, creators, etc.  I know, I have a lot of them.  Most are pretty good.

But, I’ve discovered the best of the books are written by those individuals who actually worked in comic book industry-especially old veteran writers and artists from the Golden to the Silver Ages.

From Aargh! To Zap! Harvey Kurtzman’s Visual History Of The Comics from ARTS Books is one such book.

As an old curmudgeon who has collected comic books since I was five years old (I’m almost 70) I really enjoyed Harvey Kurtzman’s take on comic book history.

Many young collectors tend to ignore the history of comic books: instead they are fixated on how much they are worth.

Harvey Kurtzman was active in comic books back into the 1940s so he witnessed the emergence of the Silver Age and subsequent ages.

What I like about the book is that the author gives a first-hand, personal account of the publishers, writers and artist.

He was a friend with many of the creators and offers insights few know.

I appreciate the fact that he gives full credit to the unsung heroes of the comic book industry such artists as Wally Wood, Jack Davis and the other EC Comics artists.  

He delves into the revolutionary (for its time) MAD magazine and its usual bunch of idiots.

The stagnant years with the implementation of the Comics Code Authority is also covered, as is the birth of the Marvel Comics Universe.

But, he doesn’t just dwell on the early years of comic books he also examines many of the new titles, companies and creators including Frank Miler, Neal Adams, Dave Gibbons and a score of others.

The book is an intimate and personal account of the birth of comics up until modern day.  It’s fascinating, extremely well written and researched and a fun read and of course-packed with illustrations.

Romans 15:5   
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,