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Marvel Comics: The Untold Story


(Note: Although this is not a graphic novel, it does deal with the comic book industry, so I included it in my list of reviews.)

Summary: When I first started working in the retail industry, I was naively believing that those who were above me knew a great deal about working in the business. Months later, I began to wonder how the department store where I was employed was staying open. I no longer saw my bosses as being competent of the retail business, as a matter of fact, I thought a couple of them were complete morons. In other words, I saw behind the curtain of the Great Oz. I was no longer in awe of my managers; I felt let down. That feeling I had back then is how I feel now after reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. I saw behind the curtain of the Marvel Logo and it made me wonder, "How in the world did they stay in business?" From the creation of super hero characters that different people took credit for, story lines that had vindictive double meanings, hateful satirical depictions against real people, bitter employee/management relationships, a revolving door of writers and artists, ignorant and clueless owners, all the way to the myriad of drug-influenced comic book plots, bad elements that you would have sworn would tear the company apart; yet, it succeeded. At the same time though my appreciation grew for those who did have a passion for their craft, who toiled under such harsh conditions, and who poured their souls into their work. Despite having seen behind the Marvel curtain, I still enjoy reading comic books and graphic novels, and most likely will continue to read them until the day I'm six feet under.

Reference: Sean Howe(2012). Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. HarperCollins Publishers. New York, NY.

Why I Picked It Up: Being a comic book aficionado, how could I not pick it up? Of late, I've been fascinated by much of comic book history, whether it was about a creator or just the industry itself. To find out about what was happening behind those Marvel office doors was too intriguing to pass up.

Why I Finished It: At times reading about the company was like watching the aftermath of a car accident: it's gory and gruesome, yet you can't help but stare. I stared because I had to find out how the Marvel stayed open and how it became the successful comic book publishing company that it is today.

Recommendations: This book is for anyone who enjoys comic book history, who enjoys learning of the intricacies of the business, and, possibly, anyone who might be interested in a career working in the comic book industry. I think that a majority of comic book readers have at some point in their lives considered a career as a comic book artist, writer, letterer, colorist, or editor, wanting to create superhero lore; I know I have (though maybe not for Marvel, now). So for those people this book is definitely a must-read. Marvel Comics: The Untold History is most-assuredly destined for a read on the living room sofa.

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