Cover of How to Read Superhero Comics and Why

How to Read Superhero Comics and Why

Superhero comic books are traditionally thought to have two distinct periods, two major waves of creativity: the Golden Age and the Silver Age. In simple terms, the Golden Age was the birth of the superhero proper out of the pulp novel characters of the early 1930s, and was primarily associated with the DC Comics Group. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman are the most famous creations of this period. In the early 1960s, Marvel Comics launched a completely new line of heroes, the primary figures of the Silver Age: the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, the Avengers, Iron Man, and Daredevil.

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In this book, Geoff Klock presents a study of the Third Movement of superhero comic books. He avoids, at all costs, the temptation to refer to this movement as "Postmodern," "Deconstructionist," or something equally tedious. Analyzing the works of Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and Grant Morrison among others, and taking his cue from Harold Bloom, Klock unearths the birth of self-consciousness in the superhero narrative and guides us through an intricate world of traditions, influences, nostalgia and innovations - a world where comic books do indeed become literature.

Audience
adult
Length
medium · 216 pages

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Liked How to Read Superhero Comics and Why? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked How to Read Superhero Comics and Why. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. The Steranko History of Comics, Vol. 1 Shares graphic novels, superhero, nonfiction
  2. The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia Shares graphic novels, superhero, nonfiction
  3. The Bounce Shares graphic novels, superhero
  4. The Answer! Shares graphic novels, superhero

“If you want more of the same (philosophy), start with these.”

  1. Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel
  2. Iron Man: The Ultimate Guide to the Armored Super Hero
  3. Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide
  4. Incredible Hulk: Pardoned

“If it was the graphic novels that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Convergence #2
  2. 1,000 Comic Books You Must Read
  3. The Fantastic Four: The Trial of Galactus
  4. The Death of Captain Marvel

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves and Our Society
  2. Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human
  3. Apparat: The Singles Collection
  4. Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology