Customer Reviews

The Steranko History of Comics, Vol. 2

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Jim Steranko did more for the comics medium than any other single artist since Windsor McCay, IMHO, and his book set is a MUST for anyone serious about the history of the comics. However it is a bit heavily slated towards the 1930's, with a lot of information about the pulps and little about developments in the late '60's and '70's, ironically the very period where his contribution was so important.

I was only 10 years old when James Steranko's HISTORY OF COMIC BOOKS, Volume 1 was published but its impact hit me like a bullet. Up until then I had only been weened on comics published after 1960 (hence known as the SILVER AGE, of course) but it was here that I discovered the history and lore of comic book's GOLDEN AGE. Steranko, a brilliant artist, laced his book with a unique layout style that weaved his words around art samples and hundreds of old comic books and pulp magazine covers from that era. The result is a dazzling tableau that, while not a definitive history (Steranko merely stops at the pop art's greatest hits before the mid 1950's), is nontheless invaluable. His chapter on pulp magazines alone is something of a classic. Volume 2 rates just as high and lets hope Mr. Steranko publishes an anniversay edition since these books are a must for a new generation of comic book fans.

This is a great history of comics and the earlier pulp magazines. I used to have both volumes, but sold them during some rough financial times. Sterankp covers the history of the two genres well, in a short space. Most people take longer on one or the other and short change the second half. He shows how the pulps shifted into the comics, with many of the same writers, like Edmond Hamilton. Hamilton I knew only as a comic book writer for the Legion of Super Heroes. I saw reprint of his Starwolf sereis and bought it. T

This is the second volume of Steranko's History of the Comics, which covers Captain Marvel and Fawcett Publications (it's pretty lengthy and detailed), Will Eisner's The Spirit, Plastic Man, and others. Similar to volume 1, you can possibly find copies at comic conventions if Mr. Steranko is attending.These are wonderful tomes about the history of an industry which was birthed at the death of the pulps. The cover alone is pure eye candy. Happy hunting!

This may be the best history of the comics(along with vol.1) out there. Steranko, besides being one of the best comic artists out there, is also a great writer. I paid a very fair price and it was shipped quickly. This will really take you back to the golden age of comics! I love it!

Read this book when it first came out in the early 70's. I think it is still my favorite book on the history of comics, and make sure you pick up the 2nd volume also.

A real must read. Enjoy