Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels: A History of Comic Art [Paperback]

"'Here at last is an authoritative and beautifully produced history of this vigorous and versatile form, which covers as much of the whole field as a single book could.' Philip Pullman, The Guardian 'Isn't the only such book you'll find out there-just the best. Sabin is thorough and likes all the right people.' Newsweek 'A history of comics which frankly you won't be able to put down...full of entertaining insights...a complete delight.' Philip Hensher, Mail on Sunday 'As energetic as a jolt of double espresso - and as simultaneously appealing to both sophisticated and street sensibilities.' Reena Jana, Wired 'Beautifully produced, with colour pics throughout, and an intelligent text by one of the UK's real experts in (and lover's of) the field. Good idea then for that big xmas gift...Highly recommended.' Comics Forum"

For more than a century the comic book has been one of our most familiar, yet least appreciated popular art forms. As vehemently criticized as it is passionately defended, it has evolved from humble beginnings into a graphically sophisticated and culturally revealing medium. At a time when vintage comics are fetching huge prices at auction, this book traces the history of the medium from comic papers for kids, through the underground "comix" movements of the 1960s and '70s, to the glossy book-format "graphic novels" of today. Organized thematically, it investigates comic art's varied genres - including humour, adventure, underground and alternative - and charts the rise, fall and rise of the medium. In so doing, Roger Sabin highlights the careers of the creators behind some of the best-known characters in modern fiction - from Superman to Sid the Sexist, Tintin to Tank Girl. He examines not only the stars and "first wave" of comic art but also the names who are currently providing comics with a new lease of life, taking such familiar material as the manic clowning of Leo Baxendate ("The Beano"), the observational adventure of Frank Hampson ("Eagle"), the bombastic power-plays of Jack Kirby ("The Incredible Hulk") and the underground scatology of Robert Crumb ("Zap"), as well as less well-known themes and names: the surreal 1950s retro of Dan Cloves ("Eightball"), the gothic superheroics of Todd McFarlane ("Spawn"), the inspired lunacy of Chris Donald (

Roger Sabin is an arts journalist and lecturer at Central St Martin's College of Art, London. He has written about comics for numerous publications including the Guardian, Independent, The Sunday Times and New Statesman and Society and is also a frequent contributor to BBC radio. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed Adult Comics: An Introduction, 1993, and The Lasting of the Mohicans with Martin Barker, 1996. Author's Residence: London SW2