by KC Carlson

BOOKS ABOUT COMICS

SPOTLIGHT: The Secret History of Marvel Comics: Jack Kirby and the Moonlighting Artists at Martin Goodman’s Empire (Fantagraphics): This book takes a look at the entire Martin Goodman publishing “empire” of the Golden Age, with a specific interest in Goodman’s “men’s magazines”. Just to be clear on this, there ain’t many men in that kind of “men’s magazines”. Nudge nudge wink wink. There may be some info in this book about Captain America, the Torch, and Subby, but probably not too much.

The story actually starts much earlier than the beginnings of comic books, as Goodman was a prolific publisher of lurid pulps, featuring sexually charged detective and romance short fiction, and celebrity gossip scandal sheets. These were largely illustrated by pulp favorites like Norman Saunders, John Walter Scott, Hans Wesso, L.F. Bjorklund, and Marvel Comics #1 cover artist Frank R. Paul. Many of the soon-to-be familiar Timely/Marvel artists, including Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, Alex Schomburg, Bill Everett, Al Jaffee, and Dan DeCarlo, also contributed.

Marvel was but a small part of Goodman’s publishing empire, which had begun years before he published his first comic book. The Secret History of Marvel Comics is the story of that rarely documented era. The authors are Blake Bell — author of books about comic books, Steve Ditko, Bill Everett, and comic book artists’ wives — and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo — contributor to Golden and Atlas Age Marvel Masterworks, working on a book about Marvel artist Joe Maneely. Obviously, there will be much rare pulp and comic book art on display here, some of it in color.

Find out more about the pre-Marvel era that you never knew about. 168-page B&W (some color) hardcover. Note, this book is soliciting early and may not be available until June.

Comic Book Creator (TwoMorrows): This is the long-awaited sorta revival of my favorite comic zine ever, Comic Book Artist. Originally published from 1998-2005 by TwoMorrows and later Top Shelf, edited and largely written by Jon B. Cooke, it won multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards for journalism.

The magazine got my attention by devoting many of its early issues to specific eras (such as DC’s experimental 1968-1971 period and Marvel’s early 1970s expansion) and thorough looks at classic “lost” comics publishers (Tower, Charlton, Gold Key, Harvey) and even some oddball mainstream publications (National Lampoon and Heavy Metal). This history was revealed almost entirely by the creators that lived it — and not just the artists and writers. A lot of fascinating material came from editors and publishers as well. For comics history wonks like me, Comic Book Artist was a godsend of fascinating new material about the secret history of comic books. All by following the magazine’s credo: “always on the artists and not the artifacts, the creators and not the characters”.

The first issue of the slightly renamed Comic Book Creator includes an investigation of the often questionable treatment of comics icon Jack Kirby by many publishers throughout his long career (perhaps you can think of one or two), with a new cover by Alex Ross. Ross and Kurt Busiek are also interviewed in this first issue, plus Neal Adams and Denny O’Neil get together to talk about their classic collaborations, including Batman and GL/GA. There’s also a tribute to comic historian Les Daniels, a look at the last years of Frank Robbins’ career, and a gallery of Will Eisner hand-drawn valentines to his wife. 80 pages. All color. And quarterly. Yay!

(Since Mr. Cooke and Mr. Morrow are on speaking terms again, maybe the long out-of-print TPB collections of CBA will return to the shelves for a new generation!)

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

ACG Collected Works: Out of the Night Volume 2 (PS Artbooks): Collects #7-12, from March 1953 to January 1954. Introduction by Steve Bissette. 240-page color hardcover.

Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Volume 2 (DC): Now in paperback! Collects the second wave of Neal Adams-illustrated stories from the Silver and Bronze Ages, mostly written by Denny O’Neil and Bob Haney. Features Batman stories from Batman, Detective Comics, World’s Finest, and The Brave and the Bold. 236-page color softcover.

DC Universe: Secret Origins (DC): A great compilation of classic Silver Age origin stories, as originally collected in 80-Page Giants and their facsimiles. All of DC’s “big gun” characters are here, as well as many of the best quirky heroes! And usually written and drawn by their classic creators, including Jack Kirby, Gardner Fox, John Broome, Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, and Curt Swan! Originally released last year as a hardcover, this is the moderately priced trade paperback collection. You’ll reach for this book over and over again! 328-page color softcover.

Eerie Archives Volume 13 (DH): Collecting Eerie #61-64 from the mid-70s with work by Wally Wood, Alex Toth, Bernie Wrightson, Richard Corben, and others. Features recurring characters Dr. Archaeus, Coffin, Exterminator One, the Spook, and more. As always, includes the original lettercols and color frontspieces. 264-page mostly B&W hardcover.

The Flash Chronicles Volume 4 (DC): Collecting the Silver Age Flash #119-124, by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella. All stories are in chronological order, and most issues include Rogues Gallery villains, including Mirror Master, Trickster, and Captain Boomerang. But the key classic issue here is The Flash #123: “Flash of Two Worlds”, when Barry Allen first met Jay Garrick — probably the most important piece of DC continuity ever published! 160-page color softcover.

Essential Iron Man Volume 5 (Marvel): Part of the wave of collections promoting the Iron Man 3 film this month, this massive volume collects Iron Man (1968) #62-75, #77-87, and Annual #3. Lots of Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts angst surrounds battles with Dr. Spectrum, the Mandarin, the Yellow Claw, the Red Ghost, Crimson Dynamo, M.O.D.O.K., the Mad Thinker, and others. Plus, Iron Man attends Comic-Con! 520-page B&W softcover. Also check out the many other Iron Man collections this month, including new printings of Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle, Iron Man: Armor Wars, and Iron Man: Extremis.

Harvey Horrors Collected Works: Tomb of Terror Volume 2 (PS Artbooks): This second of three volumes collects #7-11, from January to September 1953. Intro by Jeff Gelb and an illustration by Scott Shaw! 288-page color hardcover.

Korak, Son of Tarzan Archives Volume 1 (DH): This fondly remembered spinoff from Gold Key Comics stars the son of Tarzan and Jane who takes the name Korak (“killer” in ape language) and sets out to create his own legend among the creatures of Africa. This volume collects the first six issues of the series, written by Gaylord DuBois (“scribe” in ape language) and illustrated by Russ Manning (“drawer” in ape language). First of two volumes. 192-page color hardcover.

Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers Volume 13 (Marvel): Collecting Avengers (1963) #120-128, Giant-Size Avengers #1, Captain Marvel (1968) #33 and Fantastic Four (1961) #150, featuring work by Steve Englehart, John & Sal Buscema, Bob Brown, Rich Buckler, Jim Starlin, Roy Thomas, and others. Includes the origin of the mysterious Mantis, battles with Zodiac and Ultron, developments in the backgrounds of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, plus cosmic stuff with Captain Marvel, Thanos, and the Cosmic Cube. Dun dun dun! 272-page color hardcover.

Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Human Torch Volume 1 (Marvel): The hotter than hotcakes (it says here) adventures of the original Golden Age Human Torch. Collecting the first four issues of the Human Torch comic (which are numbered #2-5A — they sure did odd numbering things back then). Plus the adventures of Microman, Mantor the Magician, the Fiery Mask, and the Patriot! Featuring work by Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, Alex Schomburg, Sid Greene, and others. Get it while it’s hot! 280-page color softcover.

Roy Thomas Presents: Captain Video Volume 1 (PS Artbooks): Collects all six issues of the Fawcett comic book series from 1951, based on the schlocky but fun early TV series. I’m assuming because of the title that Roy Thomas is writing something for the volume, but we don’t have that information. I suppose its possible that he’s “presenting” this volume by delivering it directly to your house, but I probably wouldn’t count on that. 288-page color hardcover.

Showcase Presents Strange Adventures Volume 2 (DC): Another great collection from DC’s rich legacy of science fiction stories from the 1950s starring gorillas! Collecting Strange Adventures #74-93 featuring work by John Broome, Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane, and many, many others. 520-page B&W softcover.

The Strange World of Your Dreams: Comics Meet Sigmund Freud and Salvador Dali (IDW/Yoe): I had a dream about this very strange new collection of odd Simon & Kirby stories compiled by Craig Yoe, but after I told Roger about it (it included chihuahuas, clowns, and razor blades), he reassigned the book to Bob Greenberger to write about and gave me a couple of weeks off. Woo hoo! Tijuana, here I come! 144-page color hardcover.

Tales of Batman: Archie Goodwin (DC): This wonderful book collects most of the Archie Goodwin-written and -edited run of Detective Comics (#437-443). Those issues include some remarkable Batman stories but are also known for the now-legendary Manhunter back-up stories, written by Goodwin and illustrated by Walter Simonson, which culminated in the explosive Manhunter/Batman crossover in ‘Tec #443. If that’s not enough, this massive book also includes Detective Comics Annual #3, Showcase ‘95 #11, Legends of the Dark Knight #132-136, Batman: Night Cries, and Batman Black and White #1 and 4. Besides Goodwin, creators with work included here are Alex Toth, Gene Ha, Jim Aparo, James Robinson, and others. Bob Greenberger has much more about this Must-Have volume right here. Highly recommended! 480-page color hardcover.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC STRIP COLLECTIONS

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Gray Morrow Years Volume 1: 1979-81 (Hermes Press): Due to the success of the 1979 TV series, the New York Times Syndicate revived the classic science fiction strip. This version was written by Jim Lawrence and illustrated by Gray Morrow. The book reprints the first two years of the strip, both dailies and full-color Sunday strips, reproduced from original press proofs. 9” x 12” landscape format. 240-page B&W (w/color) hardcover.

Definitive Flash Gordon & Jungle Jim Volume 3 (IDW/LoAC): Continuing the Giant (12” x 16”) series that collects Alex Raymond’s classic Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim strips together (the way they were originally presented). This volume includes all the Sunday strips from March 12, 1939, to the end of 1941. Special features include an introduction about 12-year-old Joe Kubert traveling to meet Raymond and Howard Chaykin discussing the influences on Raymond’s drawing style. These books are almost too beautiful to read! 160-page color hardcover.

Johnny Hazard: The Complete Sundays Volume 1: 1944-46 (Hermes Press): Frank Robbins’ classic adventure serial set the standard for breakneck action and is highly regarded by strip aficionados. This new series collects only the Sunday strips (in full color), which ran a different adventure storyline than the daily strips. This volume features the first two-and-a-half years of the Sundays, as well as historical essays, special endpapers, and other extras. Large 10” x 13” format. 208-page color hardcover.

Skippy Volume 2 (IDW/LoAC): Volume two of the complete Skippy features all the comics from 1928 to 1930. Plus, more documentation, including photographs of creator Percy Crosby’s life and work, and the introduction tells of the strip’s transition from Life Magazine to the newspaper page. 328-page B&W hardcover.

ALSO THIS MONTH — SOME GOOD MODERN BOOKS

Marvel NOW! Omnibus (Marvel): Collecting all of the first issues associated with Marvel’s recent Marvel NOW! initiative. There are over 30 different titles included, including many that haven’t even been published yet. Since Marvel hasn’t yet provided a complete listing, we can’t either, but we do know things like Uncanny Avengers #1, A+X #1, All-New X-Men #1, Indestructible Hulk #1, Avengers #1, Superior Spider-Man #1, Savage Wolverine #1, and Guardians of the Galaxy #1 will be included. Cover by Joe Quesada. 688-page color hardcover.

Rocket Raccoon & Groot: The Complete Collection (Marvel): I’m not allowed to write anything about Groot (he’s a walking, talking tree with a very limited vocabulary) ever again, since that incident several years ago. So Roger’s going to cover this one very, very soon. (It’s going to be a cool book, though!)

Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection (Marvel): The very best Wolverine moments are presented in this massive 720-page slipcased, hardcover collection, in anticipation of the new Wolverine movie. Includes Origin #1-6; material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #72-84 (Weapon X story); Uncanny X-Men #162, #205, and #268; Wolverine #1-4 (the Claremont/Miller miniseries); Wolverine (1988) #75 and #119-122; Wolverine (2003) #32; and Wolverine and the X-Men #1-3. Features work by Claremont, Cockrum, Windsor-Smith, Miller, Lee, Andy & Adam Kubert, Ellis, Millar, Aaron, Bachalo, and others. 720-page oversized slipcased hardcover.

I’ve saved the best for last. While it may not be a chronological classic like I usually write about, it’s certainly a contemporary one: Superman: Secret Identity, the amazing miniseries by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen is finally back in print (in a real trade paperback) again! It’s a Superman story unlike any you’ve ever read and certainly won’t ever forget. Some have called it the best Superman story of the decade. Its appearance here hopefully means that the long-awaited semi-sequel (in concept only and written by Kurt) starring Batman is also back on track.

KC CARLSON: Just drove 2,700 miles in a week. And boy are my arms tired. (First contender for Stupidest Joke of 2013.)