American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64 Hardcover – February 26, 2013

As the publisher's description says, American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-1964 is the first release in an very ambitious series that documents every decade of American comic-book history from the 1940s to today.This volume is divided into 5 chapters, each one dedicated to a whole year from the 1960 to 1964 period. The book is loaded full of information and pictures scanned from the cited original comic-books. Also, at the beginning of each chapter there's also a time line of the year in question, addressing not only the most relevant comic related events but also historical and cultural ones to give a nice and quick context.What I think is very important to remark of this series is that it covers ALL of the American comic-books, not only DC and Marvel super-heroes titles. Non-superheroes publications like MAD, Archie, Dell and Gold Key comics are given a big deal of relevance. I find this fascinating because it gives this collection a much wider scope than I was expecting.The author, John Wells, makes a terrific job analysing the wide array of publication of different genres, putting them all into historical context and cultural trends, going from the big picture to the small details with great narrative skills.The edition is truly beautiful and classy. This is a sturdy, well-crafted volume. The front and back covers as well as the spine feature silver metallic engravings. The interior layout and design is elegant and functional. The glossy paper stock is high quality, as well as the printing.In conclusion, if you are a serious comic-book aficionado, you should definitely check this book out, I think this volume and the upcoming ones of the collection will become an invaluable work of reference.

I'm a fan of sixties' comic books. Found at the news stand or convenience store, before there where comic book stores. For most of the decade, a comic book cost 12 cents. Annuals cost a quarter. During the years covered in this volume of the American Comic Book Chronicles, I got my comics by pedaling my bike a mile down to the main street newspaper shop. There I found Marvel, DC and Charlton comic books. I'd buy four or five. I picked up on the artists credits. Kirby, Ditko, Wood were the ones I wished I could draw like. Well. this book brought back a lot of memories. There's lots of detail. I found myself following the book's thread of explaining the distribution side, the business model, that brought the pulp, four-color, imaginary adventures that I enjoyed in the early sixties. This wasn't something that I cared about as a kid. But it is well documented here. And, of course, the book is loaded with beautifully reproduced comic covers from all the publishers of the period. It's a great looking book, a fun read, covering every publisher, not just Marvel and DC.If you have an interest in comic books, this book is essential reading. I anticipate getting the next volume, 1965-69, as soon as it's released.

Very good book but focus too much on Marvel and DC, I remember back in the sixties there were a whole lot of comics books around, of course Batman and Superman were very popular, and Marvel were going through his golden era, but also we had Tarzan, Blondie, Dennis the Menace, Walt Disney comics, The Lone Ranger etc., Archie Comics was huge in the sixties (To this date I still fail to find a better rivalry that Betty and Veronica in the 60's, forget about Luthor, the Joker and Dr. Doom, they come behind), I can go on long posting titles of very popular books in this age but the author of this book seems to minimize their presence in favor of of the dominance that Marvel and DC (which they also had but with a whole shared market)has had since the 80's, not rightly so back them before that,This said I still love the book, the quality is superb, very recommended.

Great book, hard to find fault with any portion of the book. Enjoyed the year by year account of comics, as well as historic events. Would have preferred a larger font size for these sections as I had to strain to read them, otherwise very informative and wonderfully illustrated.

In all honesty the book just arrived today and I've only read the first 2 chapters. It's incredible. I almost can't put it down. I began seriously collecting comics in 1966, and was pretty much done by 1970. But I've always wanted to know the details of how the industry morphed from the super-boring 1950s "Sgt. Bilko" post-Code era to the absolutely awesome 1960s "JLA/Fantastic Four" era. This book contains the answer. It's taking a stroll through those years that is mind-blowing. And scholarly, and first-hand. It covers not just the major players and characters, but just about EVERYBODY, including Casper, Konga and Little Archie! TwoMorrows! You guys are awesome! I'll write more when I finish this book, and I can't wait for the other volumes! Thank you!

Wonderful book...I bought 2 more of the books in this series because I liked this one so much... I wanted to see what the comic book scene was like in a detailed way during the fist 5 years of my life and this book delivers... It was an incredible era for comic books and this book explains it all in detail. It was very entertaining from beginning to end.You can't go wrong with book, in my humble opinion. I look forward to reading the book that covers 1965 to 1969, the period when I actually bought my first comics...

Great overview of the early days of the Silver Age of comic books. Reviews not just Marvel and DC but Dell, Gold Key, Harvey, Charleton and mixes in points of cultural reference for the years discussed. Talks about how ideas in one company influenced the other companies and either soared or flopped depending on the quality of the creators.Even if you have read a lot about comic book history this book has insights and gems of backstory that are new. It is well worth the price and the time. Part of a projected ambitious multi volume history of comic books through the decades.

They were good.

I'm a sucker for books about the history of (US) comics . Have quite a few about the industry as a whole , and plenty on Marvel and DC, but not much on other companies like Quality , Fox , MLJ , Charlton etc. so really enjoyed one of my Birthday books - American Comic Book Chronicles 1940-1944. So I ordered the 1960-64 volume which was the start of my era of reading. It's an incredibly detailed book and brought back many memories. Already have 1965-1969 on my wish-list!

I found this book to be un-putdownable! The amount of research and care that has gone into this work is staggering, John Wells and his team have done an amazing job chronicling the history of American comics from 1960-64. Each chapter is devoted to one year starting with a timeline detailing the major events in comics and world and pop culture, and a brief narrative about the state of the comics industry for the year. Then follows a very detailed write up of each comic companies major happenings and events for that year usually starting with that years best selling company down to the small players by the end of the chapter. Included in the narrative is comments from the comics creators(editors, writers, artists), details of major storylines or character appearances along with the authors well written views on these issues and events interspersed with original covers, artwork and story panels all on full colour glossy high quality paper. I thought I knew quite a lot about Marvel and the characters having been an avid reader in my younger days and read a couple of histories just devoted to them, but I still found out quite a lot I didn't know, plus it was interesting to find out more about other companies and their ups and downs like Dell who where the market leader at the start of the decade till their split. If you have any interest in comics and/or their creators you MUST buy this book.

This is a fabulous book and contains a hell of a lot of information about what is the most creative period in comic book history. As well as providing invaluable insights into the creation of what would become a pantheon of super heroes (and heroines), you are given a historical timeline that puts comic history into context with what was happening in the real world.It is a very well written book and a worthy addition to any collection of comic book lore.

Speedily delivered (and by its weight you can tell why books get charged £2.80 for delivery) and outstanding product. Absolutely love it and worth more than just five stars. Thank you.

Dieser Band handelt reich bebildert und höchst kenntnisreich die erste Hälfte des Publikationsgeschehens auf dem US-Markt ab.Jahr für Jahr und Verlag für Verlag wird aufbereitet, welche Hefte kommen und gehen und welche Entwicklungen und Trends sich abzeichnen. Dazu gibt es noch Anekdoten und eingestreute Zitate der Beteiligten und einiger kompetenter Comicforscher.Für Comichistoriker und spezialisierte Sammler ist dieses Buch ein unentbehrliches Nachschlagewerk.Fraglich ist der Nutzen für den europäischen Laien. Es geht ausschließlich um US-Ware, das aber ohne störenden Hype und durchaus unterhaltsam präsentiert.In diesem Sinne kann ich die ganze Reihe der "American Comic Book Chronicles" empfehlen!