The Encyclopedia of Action and Adventure Comics

This authoritative and comprehensive examination of the world of action and adventure comics is the first new encyclopedia on the subject for more than 10 years and is the first to breathe new life into the topic with a wealth of colour visuals.

The book concentrates largely on British and American material, but includes due reference to such international phenomena as the incredible success of manga in Japan and the continuing popularity of Lee Falk's Phantom in Australia and Scandinavia.

You will find here all the leading lights of the genre - from famous heroes and villains like Superman, Spider-Man, The Joker and Ming the Merciless to the more obscure He-She, Asskickers of the Fantastic, the Blob and Master Darque.

Due recognition is given to the comics creators from Neal Adams, Steve Ditko and Will Eisner to Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lee and Alex Toth.

Other entries focus on the great comics publishing houses - not merely Marvel and DC (the only two to have survived since the Golden Age), but also the host that have fallen including EC, Pacific, Quality and Hillman. While special feature pages examine memorable events in comics history from the rise and fall of Eagle and the coming of the Comics Code to the instigation of the direct market and Marvel's meteoric rise from virtual extinction to America's number one publisher.

An exhaustive reference section at the back of the book includes a detailed glossary, index and appendices.

In short, "The Encyclopedia of Action and Adventure Comics" is an ideal introduction for newcomers and a source of instant reference for the legions of devoted fans of the medium.