John Romita, And All That Jazz (softcover) [Paperback]

Roy Thomas (Author), Jim Amash (Author), John Romita Sr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2007

In this new book, "Jazzy" John Romita - the artist who made The Amazing Spider-Man Marvel's #1-selling comic book in the 1960s - talks about his life, his art and his contemporaries! Authored by former Marvel Comics editor in chief and top writer Roy Thomas and noted historian Jim Amash, it features the most definitive interview Romita's ever given, about working with such comics legends as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, following Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko as artist on the strip, and more! Plus, Roy Thomas shares memories of working with Romita in the 1960s-70s, and Jim Amash examines the awesome artistry of Ring-a-Ding Romita! Lavishly illustrated with Romita's art - original art and unseen masterpieces - as well as illos by some of Marvel's and DC's finest, this is at once a career overview of a comics master, and a firsthand history of the industry by one of its leading artists!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roy Thomas is the editor of TwoMorrows Publishing's Alter Ego magazine and is the author of the All-Star Companion, Volumes 1-3, as well as other books examining comics history. He began his career in comics as Stan Lee s righthand man at Marvel Comics in the 1960s, becoming their star writer in the 1970s, and eventually editor-in-chief of the company. He still writes several comics today. Jim Amash has had a multi-faceted career in the arts. As a fine artist, he has exhibited in galleries and museums. He has written for newspapers, gallery catalogues, DC s Archive series, various TwoMorrows magazines, and is an associate editor for Alter Ego. He has illustrated books, video games, television commercials, and for several newspapers. He has also inked for all of the major comic book companies the last fifteen years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TwoMorrows Publishing (June 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893905756
• ISBN-13: 978-1893905757
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > History & Price Guides

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for anyone., August 17, 2007

By 

Robert Lorick "Happy reader" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Romita, And All That Jazz (softcover) (Paperback)

This book was a recommendation to me as not only an interesting history of the comic industry and one of the better artists, but also as a well written book using the technique of the interview to let the subject of the book describe his life.

Lavishly illustrated, great antecdotal tales. Both Mr. Amash and Mr. Thomas had known Mr. Romita for many years, according to the book and they treated their subject with care and respect.

I was amazed by how much one person in that industry was a fan of another and how each affected the others craft.

A very good read. I can happily recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas & AmashHit Jackpot, September 10, 2007

By 

Herbert W. Rogoff "Atomic Age Editor" (Sarasota, Fla, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Romita, and All That Jazz (hardcover) (Hardcover)

(Romita book blurb)


After a tour of duty as an editor of comics books, I left to eventually join Grumbacher Art Materials Company as their public relations director. This job took me into the area of easel painting, which an art sophisticate indicated moved me into an expanse of "rarefied air." I never bought that description, and as I continued to work with fine artists in the field of fine arts, I was sure that the air was a far cry from the way it was described to me.

I have just received the book, John Romita...And All That Jazz, co-written by Roy Thomas and Jim Amash. Every glossy page is adorned with the most magnificent comic art I have seen in ages, and the Q&A text is fascinating and highly informative as only Jim Amash can make it. I have to say here that Jim is a master interviewer because his knowledge of comic books, past and present, is so outstanding that this makes him comfortable with asking leading questions that he implements to jog his subject's memory about long-forgotten names, dates and incidents.

John Romita...And All That Jazz is an incredibly beautiful book, one that truly resides in the splendor of air that's "rarefied."

Herb Rogoff, Editor, Ziff-Davis, 1950-1958

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More of That Jazz, October 25, 2007

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Romita, And All That Jazz (softcover) (Paperback)

His was the art that transformed many comics from pedestrian to great performances. Under his tutelage, many aspiring professionals learned their craft to become career comic book creators. John Romita's career spanned almost 50 years in the industry, starting at Timely in the late 40's ghosting under Les Zakarin, he broke into comics with the revival of Captain America and has never looked back.

Roy Thomas and Jim Amash, both associated with Alter Ego, have produced a book that takes more than one sit down to fully appreciate. While packed with artwork from his career (and other artists), the interview format does not work fully. The interviews transcribed, took place over a period of time, and as Roy said' `An embarassment of riches' lay before them.

With such a wealth of material to draw on, this format is the most effective way to present the life and art of John Romita. I am certain that a full length biography would include this information and much more.

Don't get me wrong though. I enjoyed the book and appreciated the insight into his co-workers. Some of the goings on behind the scenes at Marvel, you would never have expected.

Artwise, I looked for more of his western and early Timely pieces. The Black Knight on page 22 would have made a great full page. Gotta love the many, many Captain America pages too!

Thanks for a lifetime of artistic excellence John.

Tim Lasiuta