Overview

"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. Includes contributions from 70 expert contributors and leading scholars in the field, with some of the entries written with the aid of popular comic book creators themselves Provides sidebars within each entry that extend readers' understanding of the subject Offers ""Essential Works"" and ""Further Reading"" recommendations Includes a comprehensive bibliography"

Full Product Details

Author:   Randy Duncan ,  Matthew J. Smith
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint:   Greenwood Press
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 6.60cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   2.291kg
ISBN:  

9780313399237

ISBN 10:   0313399239
Pages:   920
Publication Date:   29 January 2013
Recommended Age:   From 7 to 17 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Series Foreword Preface Adams, Neal American Splendor Aquaman Archie Andrews Arkham Asylum Barks, Carl Batgirl Batman Black Panther Blade Bone Captain America Captain Marvel Classics Illustrated Clowes, Daniel Comic-Con International A Contract with God Crime Does Not Pay Crumb, Robert Dark Horse Comics DC Comics Dell Comics Ditko, Steve Doctor Doom EC Comics Eisner, Will Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Fanboy Fantagraphics Fantastic Four Flash From Hell Gaiman, Neil Gonick, Larry Green Lantern Green Lantern/Green Arrow Heavy Metal Hellboy Hulk Image Comics Iron Man Jack Kirby's Fourth World The Joker Kane, Bob, and Bill Finger Katy Keene The Killing Joke Kirby, Jack Kubert, Joe Kurtzman, Harvey Lee, Stan Lex Luthor Little Lulu Lois Lane Mad Maus Marvel Comics McCloud, Scott McFarlane, Todd Milestone Comics Miller, Frank MLJ/Archie Moore, Alan Morrison, Grant Mr. Natural Palestine Plastic Man Pogo The Punisher RAW Richie Rich Robin Romance Comics Rorschach Ross, Alex Sacco, Joe The Sandman Scott Pilgrim Sgt. Rock Sheena, Queen of the Jungle Siegel, Jerry, and Joe Shuster Spider-Man Spiegelman, Art Steranko, Jim Supergirl Superman Swamp Thing Tales from the Crypt Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Thing Toth, Alex Uncle Scrooge Ware, Chris Warren, Jim Watchmen Wertham, Fredric Wizard: The Guide to Comics Wolverine Wonder Woman X-Men Zap Comix Bibliography About the Contributors Index

Reviews

Readers looking to bridge the gap between a reference book and book-length sketches will find this meaty and desirable. - ARBA Any library serving comic book enthusiasts will want to obtain this balanced and useful reference. This will also be of general interest to most academic, high school, and public libraries. - Booklist This material will have broad research appeal in public and academic libraries and will also be popular with those who already have an interest in comics. - Library Journal These volumes offer the useful approach of the publisher's 'Icons' series as a 'port of entry' for students and general readers. . . . While these volumes cover material that can be found elsewhere, they combine greater detail than can be found in many comics reference works with greater scope and rigor than can be found in most popular sources. Summing Up: Recommended. - Choice

<p> This material will have broad research appeal in public and academic libraries and will also be popular with those who already have an interest in comics. - <p>Library Journal

Readers looking to bridge the gap between a reference book and book-length sketches will find this meaty and desirable. - ARBA Any library serving comic book enthusiasts will want to obtain this balanced and useful reference. This will also be of general interest to most academic, high school, and public libraries. - Booklist This material will have broad research appeal in public and academic libraries and will also be popular with those who already have an interest in comics. - Library Journal These volumes offer the useful approach of the publisher's 'Icons' series as a 'port of entry' for students and general readers... While these volumes cover material that can be found elsewhere, they combine greater detail than can be found in many comics reference works with greater scope and rigor than can be found in most popular sources. Summing Up: Recommended. - Choice

Author Information

Randy Duncan, PhD, is professor of communication at Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR. Matthew J. Smith, PhD, is a professor of communication at Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH, where he teaches courses in media studies, including one in graphic storytelling.

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