Product Description

Comix & Graphic Novels is the first fully documented study to explore the graphic qualities of the comic book, and the development of the genre into a sophisticated and culturally revealing popular art form. The book traces the history of the comic from early cartoon-like woodcuts through to the graphic strips of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Organized thematically it explores the various genres of the comic book, including humour, adventure, girls' comics, underground and alternative. The careers of the creators of the best-known characters – from Superman and Tintin to Tank Girl – are revealed, as are the stories behind the much-loved comics such as The Beano and The Incredible Hulk. The most recent artists are also illustrated and discussed, including Harvey Kurtzman (Mad), Chris Donald (Viz), Art Spiegelman (Maus) and Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #190549 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.com Review
For many years, those interested in the history of the art of comics--from scholars to fans--had very few options. The available books were either filled with glaring errors or far too limited in their scope. Along comes Roger Sabin and his near-definitive history. The best thing about this book is that it begins with a strong foundation--that comics is a separate and unique artistic medium--and goes on to leave practically no stone unturned, from mainstream superheroes to underground work to Japanese manga to the new alternatives to the strong European tradition. There's even an entire chapter on comics by and aimed toward women, hopefully dispelling the myth that comics are just for boys.

From Publishers Weekly
Arts journalist Sabine provides a British eye view of the origins of the comic strip and the comics industry with this heavily illustrated, comprehensive, brisk and lucidly written historical overview. Eschewing the usual antecedents (for example, the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy), he starts with 17th-century English execution broadsheets (mass-produced woodcuts of public beheadings and the like) and the satirical engravings of Hogarth before locating the beginnings of the modern comic strip in such illustrated 19th-century British humor magazines as Punch. He is particularly enlightening when discussing the little-known, superbly illustrated Ally Sloper's Half Holiday from 1884, both a magazine and cartoon character that predate Richard Outcault's 1896 strip The Yellow Kid, usually credited with launching the modern American strip. Although there's much about British strips and publishers that will be new to American readers, Sabine does not slight U.S. comics, and his binational discussions of the industry's notoriously exploitative working conditions and women's comics is invaluable. This excellent treatment ends with a look at new alternative artists, the impact of Japanese comics (or manga) and animation (anime) and the current transformation of the comics market and comics distribution.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Comics, comix (adult-oriented comics focused on psychosocial or political issues), and graphic novels, hitherto discarded into the subcanonical gutter of "mere entertainment," have recently begun to acquire grudging respectability as "real" art and literature. Thus, any serious and thorough considerations of the subject are both recent and rare phenomena, and this work could therefore claim a place in most collections simply by virtue of its uniqueness. However, the astounding historical and tranglobal scope of this undertaking?from 12th-century Bayeux tapestry to current Japanese works?its generosity of visual example, and its consistently perceptive placement within both social and artistic contexts will make this the Jensen of its genre for years to come. Sabin (lecturer, Central St. Martin's College of Art) has created a work that will offer both giddy amusement to lay readers and serious value as textbook and reference source to scholars and librarians. For all collections.?Bill Piekarski, Southwestern Coll. Lib., Chula Vista, Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

5/5
An art form that is often dismissed as mere entertainment gets its due in this huge, entertaining and enlightening book. Comics, Comix & Graphic Novels is undoubtedly the most comprehensive study of the graphic qualities and cultural impact of comic art, tracing the history of the genre from early woodcuts to modern times. In addition to documenting the origins of established comics such as Tintin and Batman, the contributions and influence of recent artists, including Katsuhiro Otomo of Akira fame and Art Spiegelman (Maus) are also discussed in depth. In addition to the treasure trove of illustrations in the book, Sabin's text deftly balances the history of comic art as entertainment with the placement of these comics in a cultural context. However, despite his scholarly tone the book never comes across as high-handed or pretentious. Beautifully produced and consummately authoritative, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in popular culture.

Awesome
Truly one of the greatest "reference" books on the subject of the history of comix. I checked it out from a library to use as a reference for a term paper, and liked it so much that I bought it. The text is rich, and the pictures and illustrations are amazing. A magnificent and beautifully-put-together book.

Essential reading
This is a wonderful book. It's beautifully written, with quality reproductions. If you are looking for one book to sum up this genre, then this must surely be it. Little known (and completely useless) fact . . . This book 'stars' in the film Notting Hill! It is clearly visible in a scene with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant towards the end of the film. The book shop where the two leading characters meet is meant to be a travel book shop, so goodness knows how this particular title made it on to the shelves!