The best comic book history books

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m the author of Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero, which won the 2021 Diagram Prize, and The Darkness in Lee's Closet and the Others Waiting There. I write about pop culture for The Forward and CNN.com. My writing has appeared in a range of publications, including New York Daily News, Jerusalem Post, and Philosophy Now. I’ve taught English and writing at the City University of New York and am a former writer-in-residence fellow at the New York Public Library.


I wrote...

Is Superman Circumcised?: The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero

By Roy Schwartz,

Book cover of Is Superman Circumcised?: The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero

What is my book about?

Superman is the most famous character in the world. He's the first superhero, an American icon—and he's Jewish! Exploring the underlying themes of a beloved modern mythology, Is Superman Circumcised? is a fascinating journey through comic book lore, American history, and Jewish tradition, sure to give readers a newfound appreciation for the Mensch of Steel!

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee

Roy Schwartz Why did I love this book?

There are several biographies of comics luminary Stan Lee, official and unofficial, and this one is the best. It’s insightful, evenhanded, and engaging. As a former longtime editor of the Spider-Man titles at Marvel who’s worked with Lee in different capacities and is now a pop culture historian, author Danny Fingeroth combines an industry insider’s knowledge with a wider context. Highly recommended! 

By Danny Fingeroth,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked A Marvelous Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Stan Lee invented SPIDER-MAN! And IRON MAN! And the HULK! And the X-MEN! And more than 500 other iconic characters! His name has appeared on more than a billion comic books, in 75 countries, in 25 languages. His creations have starred in multibillion-dollar grossing movies and TV series. This is his story.

Danny Fingeroth writes a comprehensive biography of this powerhouse of ideas who changed the world's understanding of what a hero is and how a story should be told, while exploring Lee's unique path to becoming the face of comics.

With behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with Stan's brother Larry…


Book cover of Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero

Roy Schwartz Why did I love this book?

Larry Tye brings a lifelong fan’s passion and a renowned journalist’s research skills to the ultimate biography of the Man of Steel. It’s comprehensive and full of amazing stories and facts that weren’t known before, but more impressively it’s entertaining to read, from start to finish. It’s a great book for anyone interested in Americana, pop culture, or Superman.

By Larry Tye,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Superman as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first full-fledged history not just of the Man of Steel but of the creators, designers, owners, and performers who made him the icon he is today, from the New York Times bestselling author of Satchel and Bobby Kennedy

“A story as American as Superman himself.”—The Washington Post
 
Legions of fans from Boston to Buenos Aires can recite the story of the child born Kal-El, scion of the doomed planet Krypton, who was rocketed to Earth as an infant, raised by humble Kansas farmers, and rechristened Clark Kent. Known to law-abiders and evildoers alike as Superman, he was destined to…


Book cover of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Roy Schwartz Why did I love this book?

This novel won the Pulitzer Prize for a reason. It’s a remarkable story about family, friendship, identity, America, and so many other things. Michael Chabon, a bona fide comic book fan, set it in the early days of the industry, weaving in real and fictionalized versions of its history. The book is highly recommended to anyone, but it’s a must-read for anyone who considers themselves a real comic book fan.

By Michael Chabon,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' is a heart-wrenching story of escape, love and comic-book heroes set in Prague, New York and the Arctic - from the author of 'Wonder Boys'.

One night in 1939, Josef Kavalier shuffles into his cousin Sam Clay's cramped New York bedroom, his nerve-racking escape from Prague finally achieved. Little does he realise that this is the beginning of an extraordinary friendship and even more fruitful business partnership. Together, they create a comic strip called 'The Escapist', its superhero a Nazi-busting saviour who liberates the oppressed…


Book cover of 75 Years of DC Comics. the Art of Modern Mythmaking

Roy Schwartz Why did I love this book?

Paul Levitz was a writer, editor, editor in chief, publisher, and president of DC Comics for decades. This oversized coffee table book is a treasure trove of his insights, memories, and analysis. It’s the definitive history of DC, which only he could write. And it’s full of fun colorful images, making it interesting to younger readers as well as a perfect gift to any pop culture or comics lover.

By Paul Levitz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 75 Years of DC Comics. the Art of Modern Mythmaking as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In 1935, DC Comics founder Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson published New Fun No. 1-the first comic book with all-new original material-at a time when comic books were mere repositories for the castoffs of the newspaper strips. What was initially considered to be disposable media for children was well on its way to becoming the mythology of our time-the 20th century's answer to Atlas or Zorro.

More than 40,000 comic books later, TASCHEN has produced the single most comprehensive book on DC Comics. More than 2,000 images-covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles-are reproduced using the latest technology to…


Book cover of The Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 1

Roy Schwartz Why did I love this book?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be this edition, but do yourself a favor and read the original Stan Lee & Jack Kirby run on Fantastic Four. It’s a comic that revolutionized the industry, established Marvel as we know it, and it’s fun, exciting, inventive, and straightforward in a way that few comics are today. It’s Lee & Kirby’s high-water mark, before or since.

By Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 1 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #1-30, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #1.

They were visionaries. Explorers. Imaginauts. They were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. And like the Fantastic Four, they continually strove to overcome the impossible and achieve the extraordinary. Now, the first three years of their landmark run are collected in one oversized volume. And it includes all original letters pages and pinups, critical commentaries, a historical overview and other extras.


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Shadow of the Hidden

By Kev Harrison,

Book cover of Shadow of the Hidden

Kev Harrison Author Of Below

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Storyteller Traveller Horror addict Reader

Kev's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

It’s Seb’s last day working in Turkey, but his friend Oz has been cursed. Superstition turns to terror as the effects of the ancient malediction spill over, and the lives of Oz and his family hang in the balance. Can Seb find the answers to remove the hex before it’s too late?

Journey with Seb, Oz, and Deniz across ancient North African cities as they seek to banish the Shadow of the Hidden.

Shadow of the Hidden

By Kev Harrison,

What is this book about?

It’s Seb’s last day working in Turkey, but his friend Oz has been cursed. Superstition turns to terror as the effects of the ancient malediction spill over and the lives of Oz and his family hang in the balance. Can Seb find the answers to remove the hex before it’s too late?

From Kev Harrison, author of The Balance and Below, journey with Seb, Oz and Deniz across ancient North African cities as they seek to banish the Shadow of the Hidden.


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