Once dismissed as a harmless amusement for children, comics have now evolved into a massively succesful global industry. 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die is a fascinating and entertaining guide to this vibrant part of popular culture.
Wonder at the economy and grace of Herge's Tintin illustrations and the exponential growth of manga, whose pioneer - Osamu Tezuka - was greatly influenced by Disney cartoons. Trace the glorious peaks that DC and Marvel Comics scaled in the 1960s and 70s; relive the introduction of Spider-Man - a superhero whose teenage traumas deftly reflected those of his readership. Dip into the hipster underground comix of Robert Crumb's bawdy Fritz the Cat and Gilbert Shelton's The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, and see how Batman was restored to his roots by Frank Miller in the 1980s. Rediscover classic comic history with schoolboy favourites The Beano and The Dandy, both of which deuted in the 1930s along with the prototype superhero: Superman. And discover how graphic novels evolved into serious literature capable of reflecting the complexities of the human condition, in the hands of gifted storytellers, such as Art Spiegelman and Alan Moore.
Packed with fantastic reproductions of classic front covers as well as interiors, this book is a visual treat as well as a goldmine of information and every self-respecting comic fan should have it on their bookshelves.
