Understanding Superhero Comic Books

Comic Book superstar Jim Steranko provides the foreword for author Alex Grand’s new book from McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers: Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A History Of Key Elements, Creator, Events And Controversies.

I love superhero comic books. I’ve been reading and collecting them since I was five years old. I’m seventy years old now.

As much as I love superhero comic books I also love reading about the history of the genre.

As a graphic designer and artist the history behind the art and writing of superhero comic books fascinates me.

I have a vast library of books about the history of superhero comic books (and other genres), the publishers, artists, writers and the inner workings of how they were produced and more.

In Understanding Superhero Comic Books the early genesis and history of comic books are explained and examined,

From there the book delves deeply into the birth of the “modern’ comic book format beginning in the early 20^th Century and then proceeds to examine each ‘Age’ of comic books.

The author then explores the superhero genre as envisioned by DC Comics, Marvel Comics and other publishers starting with the Golden Age, then the dawn of the Silver Age up until the Modern Age.

Key creators are given their due such as Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, John Byrne and many others.

A fitting tribute is given to those creators who have passed on, women comic book artists and writers, black comic book characters and much more.

It’s an extremely well-written and researched book which to my delight contained information I did not know.

I enjoyed each section (peppered with art) and learned a great deal. 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9