Danny Fingeroth

The comprehensive biography of STAN LEE, father of SPIDER-MAN and THE AVENGERS, beloved comicbook writer and editor, and former president and publisher of Marvel Comics, by Lee's colleague of over four decades. Stan Lee co-created SPIDER-MAN! And IRON MAN! And the HULK! And the X-MEN! And more than 500 other iconic characters! His name has appeared on more than a billion comic books, in 75 countries, in 25 languages. His superheroes have starred in multibillion-dollar grossing movies and TV series. This is the story of how Stanley Martin Lieber, a poor kid from Washington Heights became STAN LEE, international legend. Danny Fingeroth (comics industry veteran, author, and longtime Stan Lee friend and colleague) writes a comprehensive biography of this powerhouse of ideas who changed the world’s understanding of what a hero is and how a story should be told, while exploring Lee's unique path to becoming the face of comics. With behind-the-scenes stories and sourced with exclusive, new interviews with Lee himself and other legendary comics and media figures, A Marvelous Life has insights and revelations that only an insider like Fingeroth can offer. Fingeroth, himself a longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics and now a lauded pop culture critic and historian, knew and worked closely with Stan Lee for over forty years. Fingeroth is able to put Lee’s life and work in a context that makes events and actions come to life as no other writer could.

The Amazing Story of Stan Lee

A Marvelous Life

Roy Thomas

Len Kaminski

Collects Iron Man (1968) #278-289, Iron Man Annual (1970) #12-13; material from Darkhawk Annual (1992) #1, Avengers West Coast Annual (1989) #7, Marvel Holiday Special (1991) #2. The gunmetal-gray Avenger! Tony Stark’s health takes a turn for the worse thanks to the intergalactic Operation: Galactic Storm! Back home, the Masters of Silence are waiting - and to defeat them, Tony needs to build a new armor unlike any other! But with Justin Hammer gunning for him, will he live long enough to get used to it? Or will the suit be a better fit for James Rhodes? When Tony’s health finally gives out for good, Rhodey must face his destiny - as a War Machine! But which is worse: filling Iron Man’s boots or running Stark Enterprises? Guest-starring Darkhawk, the West Coast Avengers and a lineup of classic villains from Blizzard to Blacklash!

Iron Man Epic Collection: War Machine

The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin

Jack Ruby

Why are so many of the superhero myths tied up with loss, often violent, of parents or parental figures? What is the significance of the dual identity? What makes some superhuman figures "good" and others "evil"? Why are so many of the prime superheroes white and male? How has the superhero evolved over the course of the 20th and early 21st centuries? And how might the myths be changing? Why is it that the key superhero archetypes - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, the X-Men - touch primal needs and experiences in everyone? Why has the superhero moved beyond the pages of comics into other media? All these topics, and more, are covered in this lively and original exploration of the reasons why the superhero - in comic books, films, and TV - is such a potent myth for our times and culture.

What Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves and Our Society

Superman on the Couch

The rough guide to graphic novels

Jews, Comics, And the Creation of the Superhero

Disguised As Clark Kent

Eric Fein

To stop an army of Hulk clones that is carving a path of destruction through Manhattan, Spidey and Hulk must sort out a maze of intrigue involving double agents--and the sinister Dr. Doom.

Rampage

Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk

Randy Emberlin

Death Trap, the Vault

Avengers

Jack Kirby

Mark Gruenwald

Ralph Macchio

Bob Harras

Collects Eternals (1976) #1-3, Avengers Spotlight (1989) #35, Avengers (1963) #361, material from What If? (1977) #23-28. When gods walk the Earth! Get to know the enigmatic Eternals — beginning with their introductory adventure by none other than Jack Kirby! The “King” introduced a new mythology for the Marvel Universe with the revelation that humankind is not alone. Thanks to the manipulations of the cosmic giants known as the Celestials, we unknowingly share Earth with the godlike Eternals — and their sworn enemies, the misshapen Deviants! Meet Ikaris, Sersi, Ajak and more, and learn the secret origin of their incredible race! Then thrill to a forgotten tale of the mighty hero Gilgamesh — and the thorn in his side called Sprite! And see the sorceress Sersi in a life-changing adventure with the Avengers — and her reluctant soul mate, the Black Knight!

Cosmic Origins

Eternals

Tom DeFalco

Jason Latour

J. Michael Straczynski

Alan Kupperberg

Michael Eury

Fred Hembeck

Barry Dutter

Steve Mellor

Collects What The-?! #20; Ultimate Civil War: Spider-Ham; Spider-Ham 25th Anniversary Special and Spider-Man Annual (2019) #1 - plus the Spider-Ham stories from Marvel Tales (1964) #201-212, #214-219, #223-230, #233, #236-237, #239-240 And #247; What The-?! #3, #18, #22, #24 and #26; and Spider-Verse (2015) #1. Pig out on more anthropomorphic adventures of the Spectacular Spider-Ham! Peter Porker crosses paths with Black Catfish, Crocktor Strange, the Punfisher, Ducktor Doom, Larval Zombies, Raven the Hunter, the Green Gobbler and more - as well as Howard the Duck and Forbush Man! The Infinity Wart causes cosmic chaos, but can Peter handle the power of Captain Zooniverse? And who is Spider-Ham 2099? Plus: Civil War rocks Spider-Ham in a piggy paradise filled with porcine personas from Iron Ham to Wolver-Ham! And when J. Jonah Jackal and Mary Crane are kidnapped, Spider-Ham battles Doctor Octopussycat and the Swinester Six!

The Complete Collection Vol. 2

Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham

The definitive biography of the beloved—often controversial—co-creator of many legendary superheroes, A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee presents the origin of “Stan the Man,” who spun a storytelling web of comic book heroic adventures into a pop culture phenomenon: the Marvel Universe. Stan Lee was the most famous American comic book creator who ever lived. Thanks, especially, to his many cameos in Marvel movies and TV shows, Lee was—and even after his 2018 death, still is—the voice and face of comics and popular culture in general, and Marvel Comics in particular. How he got to that place is a story that has never been fully told—until now. With creative partners including Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko—with whom he had tempestuous relationships that rivaled any superhero battle—Lee created world-famous characters including Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X–Men, the Avengers, and the Hulk! But Lee’s career was haunted by conflict and controversy. Was he the most innovative creator to ever do comics? Was he a lucky no-talent whose only skill was taking credit for others’ work? Or was he something else altogether? Danny Fingeroth’s A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee attempts to answer some of those questions. It is the first comprehensive biography of this powerhouse of ideas who, with his invention of Marvel Comics, changed the world’s ideas of what a hero is and how a story should be told. With exclusive interviews with Lee himself, as well as with colleagues, relatives, friends—and detractors—Fingeroth makes a doubly remarkable case for Lee’s achievements, while not ignoring the controversies that dogged him his entire life—and even past his death. With unique access to Lee’s personal archives at the University of Wyoming, Fingeroth explores never-before-examined aspects of Lee’s life and career, and digs under the surface of what people thought they knew about him. Fingeroth, himself a longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics, and now a lauded pop culture critic and historian, knew and worked with Stan Lee for over four decades. With his unique insights as a comics world insider, Fingeroth is able to put Lee’s life and work in a unique context that makes events and actions come to life as no other writer could. Despite F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous warning that “There are no second acts in American lives,” Stan Lee created a second act for himself that changed everything for him, his family, his industry, and ultimately for all of popular culture. How he did it—and what it cost him—is a larger-than-life tale of a man who helped create the modern superhero mythology that has become a part of all our lives.

John Byrne

Tom Defalco

Chris Claremont

Marv Wolfman

Collects X-Men (1963) #130-131, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #203, Dazzler (1981) #1-13. Celebrating the women of Marvel, we present the debut of the one and only Dazzler! Leaping from the pages of X-MEN and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Alison Blaire, A.K.A. Dazzler, debuted in her own series — one of the direct market’s first exclusive offerings — and put audiences on their feet. Equal parts pop star and super hero, Dazzler broke new ground and faced some of the Marvel Universe’s greatest powers, from the Hulk to Doctor Doom and Galactus — all while fighting against a wave of anti-mutant hysteria! And as if that’s not enough, Dazzler also pits her sound-based powers against Klaw, finds herself fighting for her life in prison and contends with every creep in the record business.

Dazzler Masterworks Vol. 1

Steven Grant

Collects Dazzler (1981) #14-25, material from What If (1977) #33. Dazzler stormed to the top of the charts with her debut! Now she’s back with more sights and sounds from the early ’80s! The Women of Marvel join together as She-Hulk and Spider-Woman stand by the Dazzler’s side to fight the good fight — but soon the X-Men’s Angel flies into Dazzler’s life, sweeping her off her feet and into the air. Can romance bloom between two of Marvel’s most exciting mutants? But love will have to take a backseat when the Sisterhood of Evil Mutants show up to put Dazzler in her place: Mystique, Destiny and — in some of her earliest key appearances — Rogue! All this, plus appearances by the Fantastic Four, Power Man and Iron Fist, and a WHAT IF? rarity!

Dazzler Masterworks

Jim Shooter

Frank Springer

Mike Carlin

Dazzler returns to the top of the Masterworks charts in her third volume! Family secrets explode in the life of Alison Blaire, as no sooner does her half-sister, Lois London, arrive in her life, but she's on the run as a fugitive accused of murder while trying to stay one step ahead of a vengeful Rogue! Dazzler's bent on staying out of the super hero game, but still winds up in Attilan to team with the Inhumans against Blackout and Moonstone. Things are much better on the fashion runway with Millie the Model's agency, that is until Chili Storm shows up! This volume concludes with the Dazzler: The Movie graphic novel guest-starring the X-Men! And don't miss out on Bill Sienkiewicz's painted cover art! COLLECTING: Dazzler (1981) 26-34, Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) 12

Marvel Masterworks: Dazzler Vol. 3

Pierce Askegren

Stark Enterprises has unleashed the Infinite Engine, which promises to be an energy source unlike anything ever seen before. But saboteurs from both A.I.M. and Hydra have set their sights on the engine as well--along with Dr. Doom. When a respected scientist is killed and the Engine taken over, Spiderman and Iron Man join forces to safeguard the Infinite Engine--and all of humanity.

Doom's Day

Sabotage

Al Milgrom

"Strange changes for the Hulk! His interdimensional exile is over and the incredible Hulk has returned to Earth! Doc Samson has a wild plan to separate Bruce and the Hulk for good ... but can Banner survive without his emerald alter ego? And can the planet survive a rampaging, Banner-less Hulk? As the Avengers battle the behemoth, a new team of Hulkbusters forms - and Bruce, seemingly free at last, finally finds happiness with Betty Ross!"--

Going gray

The Incredible Hulk

Explains the history and types of graphic novels and lists must-read ones and well-known illustrators.

The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels

David Michelinie

Dwayne McDuffie

Dann Thomas

Bob Layton

Randall Frenz

Collects Iron Man (1968) #245-257, Annual #10-11 and material from Captain America Annual #9. Iron Man and Doctor Doom face off in the future! The armored foes renew their rivalry in a future version of Camelot, where they must join a reborn Arthur and Merlin in battle against some very familiar faces! Then, Loki cultivates chaos as his Acts of Vengeance pit shell-head against the Wrecker and Chemistro! Inside the armor, Tony Stark continues to come to terms with his paralysis, and the Maggia makes its move  but what is its involvement with Hydra and A.I.M.? Plus: Iron Man and Crimson Dynamo see the world through each others eyes! Tony defends the surface when Atlantis attacks! Iron Man and Captain America join forces to deal with the return of Terminus! And dont forget the Dreadnoughts, Madame Masque, the Hulk and Santa Claus?!

Doom

Iron Man Epic Collection

Jewish identity is historically about the push and pull toward and away from that very identity. As immigrants with a history of persecution, Jews came to America with their heads down but their eyes open, finding themselves presented with unprecedented freedom and opportunity. Still, there were limits, spoken and unspoken, which often pushed Jews into fields with a hint of "second-class-ness" to them. Among these was the comic-book industry, until then minus the breakout hit that would put the medium on the map. That phenomenon would be the superhero - specifically Superman - and the flood of others that followed, including Batman and Spider-Man. In Disguised as Clark Kent, Danny Fingeroth explores how the creators' Jewish backgrounds helped make superheroes the most familiar popular-culture icons of all, far beyond the comic books that spawned them - on TV, in movies, in electronic media - and in our very ideas about what it means to be a hero.

Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero

Disguised as Clark Kent

Mike Manley

Learn from the pros, as Write Now! Magazine editor (and Spider-Man scripter) Danny Fingeroth and Draw! Magazine editor (and Batman artist) Mike Manley join forces for the ultimate "How-to" book on creating comics! Danny and Mike show step-by-step how to create a new comic from scratch: developing a new character, then going from script and roughs to pencils, inks, colors and even lettering! There's also a section that guides you through the process of getting your comic printed and distributed, and the finished eight-page full-color comic is included, so you can see the final product! This redesigned and expanded version also features over 30 new pages of all new material! A critique of the character and comic from an editor's point of view! New tips on coloring! New and expanded writing lessons! Plus listings of important resources, insights into the world of webcomics and more!

How to Create Comics, From Script to Print

Danny Fingeroth

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