1,000 Comic Books You Must Read

Reader Reviews
To this day, I feel that comics should be fun, and the first thing about this book is that it is fun. What a great eclectic list. What surprised me most, however, is the wave of nostalgia that hit me. I lived through so much of this and it was great to see old friends back: Little Dot, Lulu, Dennis the Menace, Jerry Lewis and some that I had forgotten Sugar and Spike (Four entries!). Not just at comics from Marvel and DC this book gave a change to look back, but also a chance to catch up. Tony still has the heart of a fan. I was concerned that this would be another one of those list where some "lectures" about what was good and bad. Instead Tony takes us on a personal journey through a life in comics, his life, and remembers the fun stops. He does in so brief, thoughtful and even funny references. These are observations, not notes to a thesis. For example: On Iron Man in TOS #39, "His origin will be changed periodically to accommodate new wars." Sadly true. (ery true. I fear we will not run out of wars for the new generations.) Wonder Woman #108 "I bought the issue when no one was looking!" And while he might have thought "Little Archie peaked too early" it is interesting that his comic is placed next to the Atom! Who was also little. Yes, there is Fin Fang Foom, Konga, Menace, the Fantastic Four, Uncle Scrooge (who has a barroom brawl described as "Jack Kirby with Ducks!") But Tony takes his Time to remember some of the most important comics that can be forgotten because their publishers are no longer around, like Dick Briefer's Frankenstein. I thought this would be a book to read in a day, but it has stretched to a week. Now I want to go back to the Candy store where I got my comics in the 1960s and 1970s re read them. Or go back to the 40's and pick up Pep Comics, Fun Comics and even Young Romance. Or a few new ones I know nothing about. And it is a beautiful, colorful book, laid out and arranged just right. If you are thinking of just buying this for a gift for a new reader, or an old one: don't. Buy this for yourself. (Alright, buy two). Note: Don't go nuts. I am sure someone will review this and say Tony left this out or didn't put that in. Of course, this is only1,000 comics. As I said earlier, is not just the list, it's the journey that should be enjoyed.


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