Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group (Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture) [Hardcover]

Michael Vance (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313296782 | ISBN-13: 978-0313296789 | Publication Date: July 30, 1996

A comprehensive history of a small, but important, comic book publisher, this work reflects the reading tastes of tens of millions of Americans during the Golden and Silver ages of comics (1934-1970). The earlier Sangor Shop reinvented itself as the American Comics Group and by 1967 had published over one thousand issues. ACG was a microcosm of the larger industry, publishing magazines in every major comic book genre. Best known titles include Herbie and Forbidden Worlds. It was ACG's Adventures into the Unknown that sparked a new genre—horror—which led to the Comics Code Authority, and industry-wide self censorship.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent! [This book] will stand as the benchmark of comic book publisher histories!"-Hames Ware, comic historian

Book Description

A comprehensive history of a small, but important, comic book publisher. Reflects the Golden and Silver ages of Comics, 1934-1970.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (July 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313296782
• ISBN-13: 978-0313296789
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,750,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about a little comic book company, January 9, 2000

By 

Richard Mrozek (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group (Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture) (Hardcover)

Michael Vance has written a fascinating book about ACG, a relatively obscure little comic book company that put out some great stuff, as well as lots of duds. Vance doesn't regurgitate stuff from other 'history' books...he actually interviewed people who were there during ACG's existence, starting in the 1940's through 1967. The result is a well-written history of ACG, with lots of great anecdotes and inside information. My only complaint is that there are no illustrations. A book about comic books really needs at least a few! However, the writing still makes this book a must for 40's-60's comic book fans.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars also available, October 3, 2010

By 

James S. Kosmicki (Grand Island, NE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group (Contributions to the Study of Popular Culture) (Hardcover)

The magazine "Alter Ego" reprinted this entire book in issue #61 a few years back. Since this book is out of print and extremely expensive, that is a much better option for most folks who just want the information. The magazine version also has the benefit of being illustrated. The publisher is Twomorrows Publishing at Twomorrows.com - they also have digital versions of their publications at a reduced price. Not kindle, but pdf. This is a very well written and informative text - it deserves to be shared as widely as possible.