An illustrated history of the most important and exceptional comics of the past 150 years.
This fully-illustrated history of the world’s best comic strip art, including Hy Eisman’s The Katzenjammer Kids, which debuted in 1897, Charles Schultz’s Peanuts (1950), Peyo’s Smurfs (1958), Steve Ditko’s Spiderman (1962), Jack Kirby’s Black Panther (1966) or Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes (1985), or Chris Ware and his ACME Novelty Library (1993). The comics presented here have imagined fantastical worlds that have attracted generation after generation of devoted fans. A critical reference, this book is also a nostalgic celebration of the characters that have accompanied readers from their first forays into reading, through adolescence and throughout adulthood―from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to Tintin and Little Nemo, from the superhero franchises to postmodern works such as Art Speigelman’s Maus or the underground comics of Robert Crumb. Featuring 125 American and European artists, this is a gorgeous retrospective on one of the most richly creative forms of reading pleasure.
Review
"Many a great book has been written about comics ... but few penned as ambitiously as this.... Visually splendid.... An essential resource for comics readers." -Buzz
"By providing little snapshots of seminal work from the past to present, Anatomy of Comics ... provide[s] a fantastic overview.... It's a superb book for those curious about the history of comics. Five out of five stars." -Forces of Geek "Whether you like superheroes, a slice of life, humour, non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy or horror there is something for everyone." - .Cent Magazine
"An engrossing read filled with fascinating facts complemented with awesome art from all over the world." -Boyce McClain's Consumers' and Collectors' Corner
"A wide-ranging snapshot of a number of key and important comic works throughout time." -Forces of Geek "One would hope a book about the beauty of the comic arts would present itself in an eye-catching manner, and Anatomy of Comics ... looks darn pretty." -Forces of GeekAbout the Author
Damien MacDonald is a comic book illustrator and curator who published graphic novel adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. His work has been shown in museums and galleries in France, Norway, Belgium, China, and Monaco. He curated the Marginalia exhibition for the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.