Marvel Comics In The 1960s: An Issue-By-Issue Field Guide To A Pop Culture Phenomenon

If you are looking for an artsy coffee table book, don't bother with Comtois's book. But if you actually read comics in the 60s and you'd like to relive those memories, this one fits the bill. From FF #1 through the end of 1969, Marvel published 831 comics with at least one new superhero story. About 25% of those are individually described by Comtois (plus a few Sgt. Fury and one Marvel Tales with reprints), with a heavy emphasis on FF (41 issues) and Spider-Man (31 issues). He gives plot and character descriptions, connections with other happenings in the Marvel universe, information and thoughts about the creators, and analysis of the stories. Sometimes it reads like an extended, enthusiastic letters page from a 1960s issue,but that's all fun. You'll also get interesting tidbits (Hulk #2 was inked by Ditko). Comtois does a good job in picking out individual issues (such as FF #51) as well as longer continued stories (Spidey 31-33), important events, and innovative artists.The book is interspersed with biography pages of sixteen creators and some commentary that sketches the larger picture. Every page includes some original artwork from the Marvels, thumbnail covers, photos of the Marvel bullpen, bits from related comics (mostly D.C.) seemingly random pictures (Adolph Hitler? A cover of the Iliad?), and more pictures that seem a shallow attempt to characterize the 60s (Martin Luther King, Ayn Rand, an anonymous rocket)--all in black and white. At first, I thought that color would have been nice, but then I realized that it would be impossible to reproduce the was that comic book paper of the 60s absorbed and showed colors.I would have liked some references because it's impossible to tell what is fact and what is mere speculation onComtois' part. For example, did Bradbury's "Chrysalis" really inspire FF #67-68? Was a Star Trek episode the inspiration for Him? An index of issues reviewed and characters (particularly for villains and guest appearances) would havebeen useful).I was annoyed at the last minute nixing by Marvel of a beautiful color cover for this book. The replacement is a lame layout of off-blue 60s photos with the silhouette of a character who is clearly not a Marvel hero of the 60s. Also, the book could use a good round of copy-editing both for grammar (e.g. "between he and Mr. Fantastic") and to delete material that is repeated verbatim in several places.But overall, the book is a great buy, and I look forward to the next volume that will cover "The Twilight Years" (1969-1973?).Here is a list of the comics reviewed in the book (which are presented in roughly chronological order, though some are out of order for no obvious reason). Many of the selections show Comtois' personal preferences (though I can't argue with lots of Kirby).Amazing Fantasy 15 (Spider-Man)Amazing Spider-Man 1-8, 14, 17-19, 25-28, 31-33, 38-40, 48-52, 63-64, Annual 1Avengers 1, 3-5, 15-16, 19, 32-33, 43-44, 57-61Captain America 100-105, 108-109Daredevil 1, 16-19, 25-27, 29-32, 42, 44-48Dr. Strange 169, 173, 178FF 1-5, 9, 11-12, 25-26, 33, 38-40, 44-53, 57-67, 76-77, Annual 2-3, 5-6Incredible Hulk 1-6Iron Man 1Journey into Mystery 83, 97, 112, 105-106, 109, 114-115, 125, Annual 1Marvel Super-Heroes 12Marvel Tales (reprints) 1Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD 1, 3, 5Sgt. Fury 13 and (with no super-heroes) 1, 6, 18, 29Silver Surfer 1, 3Strange Tales 101, 110, 114-115, 120, 135, 141-143, 146, 151, 153, Annual 2Sub-Mariner 1, 5-6Tales of Suspense 39, 48-49, 54-55, 57, 59, 63, 66, 71, 73, 79-81, 98-99Tales to Astonish 35, 49-51, 60, 70, 82-83Thor 126-135, 140, 142-144, 154-157X-Men 1, 4, 9, 11-16, 46, 50-51, 53

What a fun read! Pierre Comtois has filled over 200 pages with interesting, behind the scenes stories while creating a linear narrative of Marvel's explosive growth in the 1960's. Synopses of many of the key story arcs Marvel was publishing at the time are discussed in addition to individual discussions on the key creators (e.g. Lee, Kirby, Ditko, Heck, Everett, Sinnott, etc.) Other fandom history is also presented including The Merry Marvel Marching Society, FOOM and Marvelmania.What makes the book such an enjoyable read is that the author has included a plethora of artwork and photographs along side the related commentary. Some are full page copies of the original art and all of the reproductions in the book are of very high quality. As such, you can really see and appreciate the fine inking by Sinnott, Everett and others. This book was follow up by Marvel Comics in the 1970's, another wonderful book.

A decent edition to your library if you're studying graphic art and a decent tool for further research if you supplement it with other volumes- some flaws as every book in the field seems to have a few for one reason or another but useful anyway. Good if this is the period you grew up reading or just for general research.

throughly enjoying reading this, will certainly appeal to those of an age who grew up reading comics in the 60's but those who want to know the history of Marvel Comics will also like it,lots of fun facts and inside info. and if you ever wanted to know about the writers and artist behind the images this is the book to get.

Great book! Very detailed, and brings back lots of goof memories or having read all these comics as a kid.

Classic stuff. I throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any Marvel comic book fan-particularly those who love the early days fo Marvel when Kirby was King and good guys were great and villains were the most evil!

A great fun read and walk through the past. Plenty of B&W photos of Marvel milestones.

great

A lovely guide to many of the Marvels of the 1960s. I say many but certainly not all. I would have loved to have seen a complete issue by issue guide month by month and inclusion of the westerns / humour / reprint mags / Linda carter / Pasty / Millie the Model / War etc as some are mentioned in passing but generally it is the superhero comics that get the main listings such as FF / Avengers / Tales of Suspense / Astonish / Strange Tales etc. The listings are generally fine with commentary and background and other details mentioned in many cases. Really would have loved to see more background info such as production info, etc as well. Twomorrow books are always a pleasure to get and this is no exception. Will look out for the 70s issue

Not one for the casual reader - this is best when used alongside the comics it reviews. A copy of the early editions of essential Spider-man, Thor or Fantastic Four would be quite helpful when reading this.It contains some interesting analysis of Kirby, Ditko and Stan Lee and is particularly interesting as it analyses the work of the oft forgotten Marvel inkers of the sixties.Less interesting is the regurgitation of plot and narrative from the key comics the author analyses and the sometimes repetition of ideas and statements.An interesting and ambitious work overall - I will be purchasing volume two to see what he makes of the seventies!

Très utile et très complet !