Midwest Book Review: Marvel Comics In The 1970s
Pierre Comtois
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490342, $27.95, www.twomorrows.com

Any comics history holding must acquire Marvel Comics in the 1970s, a foundation title providing an issue by issue field guide to Marvel's various comic productions in the 1970s. Here is a sequel to Comtois' history covering the 1960s, offering an ongoing consideration of the company's evolution, artists, and major achievements during which Stan Lee moved from writing to publishing, Jack Kirby moved over to DC, and Roy Thomas fostered in a new era of Marvel artists and writers. Interviews and black and white comic page reproductions make this a winner for any serious comic history holding!

Continue reading...

Midwest Book Review: The Stan Lee Universe
Danny Fingeroth & Roy Thomas, editors
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490298, $26.95, www.twomorrows.com

Anyone who's ever touched a comic book knows the name Stan Lee. "The Stan Lee Universe" is a devoted biography surrounding Stan Lee, who five decades ago began to change the way people viewed comics and became the force that made Marvel into the goliath it is today. With many interviews by and about Stan Lee, any fan of Stan Lee and the man's work would do well in choosing "The Stan Lee Universe", packed cover to cover with black and white and color photography all throughout.

Continue reading...

Midwest Book Review

The Thin Black Line
Robert L. Bryant, Jr.
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490281 $14.95 www.twomorrows.com 1-919-449-0344

Peppered with black-and-white illustrations of Colletta's ink work (sometimes compared to that of other comic book inkers) The Thin Black Line: Perspectives on Vince Colletta, Comics' Most Controversial Inker is the fascinating biography of a comic book inker well-known for his last-minute efforts upon hundreds of comic books that were about to miss their printing deadline. The controversy comes in reference to Colletta's rush jobs inking the work on widely beloved or even legendary comic artists. Yet it was Colletta's speed that literally saved the rear ends of his fellows in the field. The Thin Black Line includes testimony from comic professionals such as Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Joe Sinnott, Mike Royer, Carmine Infantino, Mark Evanier and more, offering a captivating glimpse into the daily grind of comic book creators as well as a unique perspective on Colletta's life and work. Highly recommended, especially for comic book fans!

Continue reading...

Midwest Book Review

Modern Masters Volume 21: Chris Sprouse
Todd Dezago & Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
160549013X, $14.95, www.twomorrows.com

Modern Masters Volume 21: Chris Sprouse pairs the modern artwork of Chris Sprouse with interviews by Todd Dezago and the author, who explore Sprouse's background and what made him such an influential artist in the comics community. Fine insights reveal his projects, reflections and contributions to the industry.

Continue reading...

Midwest Book Review

Modern Masters Volume 22: Mark Buckingham
Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490148, $15.95, www.twomorrows.com

Modern Masters Volume 22: Mark Buckingham provides a fine catalog of the works of one of the most prolific comic book illustrators in the industry. Readers may know his works from Sandman, Spider-Man and other series: he's won multiple Eisner Awards and his black and white illustrations here accompany insights from interviews relating how he finds inspiration and draws his scenes. A fine pick for any definitive collection on comic artists!

Continue reading...

Midwest Book Review

Modern Masters V. 24: Guy Davis
Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490237, $15.95 www.twomorrows.com

Any graphic novel or cartoon collection will recognize the fame and name of Guy Davis, whose artwork specializes in the mysterious and macabre. His hit was Baker Street but his current Hellboy series is also notable in the world of comics and art, and this survey pairs black and white panels and comics with Guy Davis' own insights and reflections on his art, making this a pick for any graphic novel or comics collection.

Continue reading...

MBR: The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Age of TV Heroes
Jason Hofius and George Khoury
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490105, $39.95 www.twomorrows.com

Age of TV Heroes considers the history of live-action TV adventures of comic book heroes, offering a color hardcover packed with stories of actors, screen shots, and trivia. Color photographs embellish the new, exclusive interviews and commentary from Adam West, Lynda Carter and more, bringing to life the superhero phenomenon. Any comics or graphic novel library must have this.

Continue reading...

MBR: The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Sal Buscema: Comics' Fast & Furious Artist
Jim Amash with Eric Nolen-Weatherington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490210, $26.95 www.twomorrows.com

Sal Buscema: Comics' Fast & Furious Artist provides a fine review of a Marvel Comics artist who became one of the most recognized artists of the comic world. He created some of Marvel's most memorable storylines and had a ten-year run with The Incredible Hulk: his creations cemented some of the most famous runs of the comic universe and here black and white and color panels compliment many Buscema insights, key to any serious comic collector's shelf.

Continue reading...