Comic Book Superhero Store - Men Of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book

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Binding: Hardcover Format: Bargain Price Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 384 Publication Date: 2004-10-30
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Editorial Reviews: Before the Incredibles, there were Batman and Superman, Spiderman and Captain America...Gerard Jones' book tells the fascinating inside story of the comic superheroes. In the depths of the Depression, out of the crowded tenements of New York and Chicago, the comic book superhero leapt into being. Out of a mix of geekiness, science fiction, and outsider yearning, a crew of young men from working-class Jewish neighbourhoods and shady backgrounds created a series of blue-eyed, chisel-nosed crime fighters and adventurers who quickly captured the imaginations of young and old. Within a few years their creations had spawned a new genre that still dominates youth entertainment seventy years later. Gerard Jones draws on exhaustive research to portray how the immigrant experience and an outsider mentality shaped the vision of the make-believe hero, while a bizarre melting-pot of left-wing politics, mob money and the worlds of soft-porn and detective magazines contributed to the publishing world that produced the comics that brought them to millions. He chronicles how the success of the comics provoked a backlash that nearly destroyed the industry in the 1950s, and how later they surged back, inspiring a new generation to transmute pre-war fantasies into art, literature, blockbuster movies and graphic novels. Men of Tomorrow brilliantly demonstrates how the creators of the superheroes established their crucial place in the modern imagination.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Best Golden Age History Comment: Men of Tomorrow is a fascinating book. It tells the story of the origins of comics from two perspectives: the men who became the publishers and powerbrokers of the industry and the men who had the talent and the ideas. The focus is on Siegel, Shuster and the creation of Superman. I can't recommend this book enough. Customer Rating: Summary: A First Class Entertainment Comment: Disturbing and enlightening, if true. Given that Jones exhibits evidence of at least some admiration for the amusing hi-jinks of gangsters--I can't help wondering just how much of this material is legit. But hey--there are no good guys or bad guys here--just business. Ya' know? Just business. (Thing is--if Jack Liebowitz had tried to do to Bugsy Siegel what he did to Jerry Siegel, well, he would not have lived to be a hundred, ifyouknowwhatI'msayin'.) I suppose that I shouldn't have been too surprised that Time-Warner-AOL was founded by organized crime, considering how hard it is to cancel an AOL subscription (an offer you can't refuse!). I guess the moral of the story is that it ain't a crime if you don't get caught. Am I right or am I right? This is an amazing book--if just a wee bit too easy on the thugs. Brilliantly written. Well researched. Customer Rating: Summary: Men of Tomorrow Comment: One of the most well-researched books about the birth and history of the comic book industry during the 20th century. Full of new information, especially about DC Comics. Hope to see a second volume that details the Timely/Marvel Comics Group. Customer Rating: Summary: Geeks and Dreamers Comment: Men of Tomorrow is the story of the superhero comic book and the men who made it happen. With the riotous color and raucous thrills of the comics themselves, Gerard Jones reveals how nerds, bullies, charlatans, crooks, ordinary men, and real life heroes dared to dream and to change the way we see our world. Rich in detail, both inspirational and heartbreaking, Jones gives poignant insight into the lives of legends like Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and the other young dreamers who showed us how to look up in the blank blue sky and half believe that a man can fly. Jones is best known for his work in comics (including Green Lantern and Justice League), but he's also a keen historical researcher and commentator on media and culture. It's a must read for anyone interested in the history of comics and the men who dreamed them into being. Customer Rating: Summary: The Conflict and the Chaos! Comment: Sorry, couldn't help myself - had to front this review with a Stan Lee episode title circa 1966. This is the best big picture comics history I've ever read. I've read histories that were more nostalgic and others that were more about specific personalities, but this one delivered the whole enchilida in a very well-written insightful way. It's a long way from "All In Color For A Dime," the first one I ever read, and if you were a comic fan like I was as a kid, you'll enjoy this. More Reviews

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