With super heroes nearly extinct at the start of the 1950s, DC Comics reignited the fire that would make them central to modern popular culture by infusing them with science fiction elements. To circumvent the limitations of the self-censoring Comics Code Authority, DC's writers and editors spun ever-more fantastic tales, bringing super heroes and Bob Hope alike into the realm of sci-fi.
"DC Comics: The Silver Age" chronicles the transformation, with comics' first-ever "reboot" of Golden Age greats the Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman; as well as the increasingly wacky shenanigans of Batman, who was transformed into the reluctant spokesman for the camp sensibility of the '60s with a hit TV series that immortalized the "Dark Knight" as a pop culture icon for generations to come. Plus a new exclusive interview with Deadman/Green Lantern/Batman artist Neal Adams! TASCHEN's series on "DC Comics" explores the origins of comics' most enduring legends and the behind-the-scenes stories of the men who created them, era by era.
Expanded from the Eisner Award-winning XL book, "75 Years of DC Comics", this new series hits the shelf at a reader friendly size with essays updated by author Paul Levitz and over 500 new images across five volumes. Thousands of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles have been reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life, making this an invaluable reference for comics fans.
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Oh, fantastic! I had a lot of envy for owners of that giant book, but I never could see myself shelling out all that money for a book that would be too big for me to comfortably read. This is perfect!
Not sure I like the minimalist cover; I don't think it really 'sells' it. I do however like how the DC COMICS logo reflects the old Action Comics. Do I understand correctly that they've made a book out of the chapters of the Silver Age section of Paul Levitz previous 75 Years of DC Comics?
It looks like they're breaking down the big book into individual chapters and adding new covers to flesh it out. There are three listed at Amazon for this summer: Golden Age, Silver Age and Bronze Age. The BA one appears to have an added interview with Denny O'Neil, so maybe the others have added material too.
I'd really like to get that big DC book, but both the cost and the unwieldy size have kept me from really considering it. It doesn't sell for cheap on eBay either, but maybe some day. OTOH, I'm not sure how much of it would be new to us.
-- MSA
OTOH, I'm not sure how much of it would be new to us.
That's the $37.79 (at Amazon) question. Taschen generally does a pretty spiffy job with production values, so it'll be a good-looking, well-bound book with glossy pages and lots of pretty pictures. And I imagine Levitz will provide entertaining editorial content.
But will any of it be new or different enough that I'll feel like I "need" it on my bookshelf?