Superhero Comics

Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, the Avengers, the X-Men, Watchmen, and more: the companion volume to the PBS documentary series of the same name that tells the story of the superhero in American popular culture.

This work dissects the origin and growth of superhero comic books, their major influences, and the creators behind them. It demonstrates how Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and many more stand as time capsules of their eras, rising and falling with societal changes, and reflecting an amalgam of influences. The book covers in detail the iconic superhero comic book creators and their unique contributions in their quest for realism, including Julius Schwartz and the science-fiction origins of superheroes.

Is Batman overrated? Should superheroes age? Are comics for kids? Does death in comics have any meaning? All these questions and many more are answered in this collection of articles examining some of the most contentious issues in superhero comics. Just don't tell Batman...

THE BRONZE AGE OF COMICS: SUPERHUMAN Volume One looks at super-hero comic books from 1970 to 1983, with sections on such characters as Batman, The Flash, New Teen Titans, Justice League, Sub-Mariner, The Avengers, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Thor, X-Men, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, and more. There are also sections on Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, The Cat and Tigra, Aquaman, Iron Fist, Master of Kung Fu, Power Man and many more, with such chapters as "Kung Fu Fighters," "Black is Beautiful." and "Some of Marvel's Super Ladies." And let's not forget series starring the Joker, Freedom ...

It's been a decade since the first ultra-enhanced human beings were forced to abandon covert military operations. Advancing public technology and new government legislation made continuing to operate in secrecy untenable, and so they mainstreamed, becoming the world's first superhero group - the Order of Champions. They are the ten mightiest individuals on the planet - beloved by the masses and feared by their enemies. And their world is falling apart. The superheroes have become complacent - secure in their own sense of invincibility. They are arrogant and alone and increasingly rocked by ...

In Superman Is Jewish? Harry Brod reveals the links between Jews and superheroes in a penetrating investigation of iconic comic book figures. He describes how the role of each hero reflects the evolution of the Jewish place in American culture - an alien in a foreign land, like Superman; a figure plagued by guilt for not having saved his family, like Spider-Man; outsiders persecuted for being different (X-Men); a nice, smart guy afraid people won't like him when he's angry (the Hulk).

In a land ruled by armor, the iron man is king. Jakson the thief holds no love for the throne. His half-brother, the crown prince, hates him. His father, the king, refuses to acknowledge him. He is at home on the streets as a trickster and rogue. Yet he dreams of knighthood. For armor is power, and the king's knights wield the strongest steel. A desperate gamble leads Jakson to an otherworldly artifact: armor from another age. His discovery propels him into a deadly game of knights, a game of treachery, violence, and corruption. Threats arise from beyond the kingdom and from within. Allies ...

It’s been one year since Jake Strong’s powers as a Super emerged and tragedy struck, causing his whole world to collapse. In the aftermath, he devotes himself almost entirely to honing his powers and using them to bring down petty criminals in Chicago. At 18 years old, he’s already earned quite the name for himself among the public, media, and local police. That is, until a new threat arises—one that’s powerful enough to manipulate not just civilians but also Supers in a dangerous endgame that could throw the world into chaos and anarchy. When the threat proves to be more than he ...

SUPERHEROIC: THE BRONZE AGE OF COMICS VOLUME TWO follows SUPERHUMAN: THE BRONZE AGE OF COMICS VOLUME ONE. This volume covers IRON MAN, GREEN LANTERN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, SUPERMAN and his supporting cast, FANTASTIC FOUR, DAREDEVIL, THE DEFENDERS, WORLD'S FINEST, SUPERMAN FAMILY, JACK KIRBY'S FOURTH WORLD series and many, many other titles and heroes, including characters published by ATLAS, RED CIRCLE/ARCHIE and others. Each chapter looks at the most memorable issues, writers, and artists, detailing how "relevance" and social issues began to affect the comics of the ...

The Science of Superheroes takes a lighthearted but clear-headed look at the real science that underlies some of the greatest superhero comic books of all time, including Spider-Man, Batman, Fantastic Four, and many more. Each chapter presents the story of the origin of one or more superheroes and asks intriguing questions that lead to fascinating discussions about the limits of science, the laws of nature, and the future of technology.

Retired SuperHeroes battling their fiercest Arch-Villain. . . Boredom, are called into battle once again for the defense of the galaxy and more when a nearly invincible, invading, extraterrestrial power neutralizes Earth's younger generations of Supers in the prelude to its strike.

Truth, justice… and the Gospel? From the ashes of Krypton to the hills of Nazareth, this unique book draws powerful connections between the world’s greatest superhero and the world’s greatest Savior. For nearly a century, Superman has inspired generations with his strength, sacrifice, and unwavering hope. But what if those stories echo something even greater? Something eternal? In Superman and the Gospel of Jesus, pastor and lifelong comic book fan Scott Bayles explores how the Man of Steel points us to the Son of God. Through vivid storytelling, deep biblical insight, and heartfelt ...

An old homeless man is found lying in the gutter, dead from old age. They discover that he was once the World War II superhero called Flag-waver. Daniel Urich, a wealthy retired superhero, wants to make sure nothing like this happens to the currently active superheroes and finds a way to help them. But a threat from the past comes to the present and now this loosely gathered team of heroes must stand up to it. If you are a fan of the Silver Age or Bronze Age of comic books, then this is a novel for you.

In this story from the novel, “SuperHero – Retirement”, not happy with where their relationship is going, a SuperSorceress gives her SuperBoyfriend some SuperMotivation.

It ain't easy being green. Amara would like to look forward to her wedding day but her last wedding is haunting her. Thoughts of war and a madman on the loose are hindering her happiness. Then, Cyprian's ex-girlfriend, Rhea, comes to town; a beautiful Naga diva who's intent on getting Amara's fiance back in her coils. Coinciding with her arrival are a string of Naga attacks that leave Amara wondering if Rhea could be behind them. Is this a simple case of envy or is there more sinister forces at work in the city Spectra calls home?Grab your copy today and fight supervillains with Spectra! ...

"Matt Drabble is a name that will one day be as widely recognized as Stephen King & Dean Koontz" - READERS FAVORITE He fell from the stars and changed the world. Suddenly there existed a super being much like those that only existed on the pages of comic books, but not everyone took to the newcomer nor what he represented and some would seek to destroy what they perceived as a blasphemer. SOUL were an organisation created by a Cynthia Arrow, a religious zealot overwhelmed with the desire to deal in terror and rid the country of their greatest hero by any means necessary. Driven by her ...

The defining, behind-the-scenes chronicle of one of the most extraordinary, beloved, and dominant pop cultural entities in America’s history - Marvel Comics - and the outsized personalities who made Marvel, including Martin Goodman, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby.

Some women fear the fire. Some women simply become it. Ever since her parents were murdered and their home burned down with her inside it, Amara has been afraid of fire. Now, she'll face the flames again, this time in the form of a supernatural terrorist. A supervillain with the power to burn. But the fire-starter isn't the only one Spectra has to worry about. FEAR still hasn't caught Phantasma, and as the flames lick higher, something just as sinister is closing off her escape. Can the cynical superhero become what she fears most to survive or will fire win again? From the Author:...

In this short story from the novel, “SuperHero- Retirement”, recently retired Arch-Villains can’t help themselves. It’s so good to be bad.

Christine Dark faces her most dangerous enemy yet - herself. In another reality, Christine became corrupted, evil, a murderous villain with immense power and no compassion or restraint, a tyrant who destroyed the world and surrendered to the Outsiders. And now she has arrived to Earth Alpha, bringing chaos and destruction in her wake. The fourth book of the New Olympus Saga follows heroes and villains endowed with great power and all-too human flaws as they deal with the aftermath of the Genocide War and a new threat in their midst. This story combines action, romance, suspense and humor.