Non Fiction Book Reviews #5

THE ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE BOOK

by Louis Chunovic

Jay Ward's animated cartoon show starring a flying squirrel and an intellectual (!) moose debuted in 1959 on ABC and went over to NBC two years later. The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show lasted for five seasons, but it has been in syndication since then and shows no sign ever going off the air. But what made the show so good? Was it the animation? Done in limited animation format, the show was the first show drawn outside the United States, in Mexico City, for economic reasons which fast and cheap and Jay Ward was never happy with it although it was a big hit with everybody else. The executive producer Ponsoby Britt? There never was somebody by that name. What made the show a hit was the eccentric Jay Ward whose sense of humor that irritated the executives, embarrassed his wife, but translated on the screen well by the writers and actors who made the show a hit. Along with Jay Ward was producer Bill Scott (also the voice of Bullwinkle J. Moose, Dudley Do-Right, Mister Peabody), writers Allan Burns and Chris Hayward (who later did The Munsters, among others), the cast: June Foray, Paul Frees, William Conrad, Daws Butler, Hans Conried; and so many others. But on December 1962 the last episode was taped, three hundred and twenty-six episodes in total done. But the show has on since then and can still be seen on television or on video. Sophisticated, political, and wickedly satirical, it was the first animated program to appeal to children and adults, and for that reason the show will be around forever! This book is a celebration of the show with behind-the-scenes tidbits of the show's creation and success, lots of insider's information on Jay Ward and the rest of the team, pages and pages of full color original art, and long lost memorabilia, this book celebrates the classic series. A must have for all fans.

DC COMICS:

SIXTY YEARS OF THE WORLD'S FAVORITE COMIC BOOK HEROES

by Les Daniels

In 1935 DC Comics published its first book of "all new, all original" comic material. With that popular culture was transformed forever. With the introduction of Superman in 1938, DC Comics made history again. Inspired by its innovative success, DC went on to introduce other superheroes: Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and others. During the forties DC Comics dominated the market at the same time DC superheroes appeared in comic strips, on radio, and in movies. Nothing could stop the successes. But after World War II there was a decline in superheroes and DC replaced them with animal conic books, western comic books, and true romance comic books. At the time Batman was challenged as were comic books in general. And then the silver age of comic books came about and Julius Schwartz was ready. All new versions of the Flash, Green Lantern, the Superman family, the Atom, Hawkman, and so many others. Batman went camp on ABC television in 1966 and was a hit. After three season, and a movie, the show went off the air, but has remained strong in syndication. In the seventies Batman took a new look and DC Comics became more in tune with the times. Superman appeared in the movies, Wonder Woman on television, and Batman appeared in the movies and was a hit. In the comics the second Robin was killed and Superman died and was reborn. After sixty years what is next? In over one hundred essays Les Daniels gives the remarkable history of the company, the genealogies of the characters, interviews with writers and artists, and hundreds of examples of comic book art, this is the definitive book of DC Comics that all comic book should have!

BATMAN COLLECTED

by Chip Kidd

Holy collectables! Since 1939 Batman has been part of the American culture. From 1940 onward Batman's ever-growing popularity has spawned thousands of toys, gadgets, plastic figurines, night-lights, wristwatches, windup toys, clothing, food products, costumes, and so much more. Chip Kidd goes into his own collection and DC Comics archives including color photos of the rarest Batman memorabilia and Kidd includes text detailing the fascination of Batman collection. Starting form the 1940s movie posters, radio scripts, and figurines to the explosion of toys and merchandise connected with the 1960s television show to the revival of Batman in the 1980s and the movie that followed. With over 490 color illustrations, collectors will thrill at the sight of Topps trading cards, Aurora models, Mego figurines, watches, and other collectables. This book also includes works by Andy Worhol. Carmine Infantio, Bob Kane, Frank Miller, and others. A good look at the world of collectables with photos that highlight the detail of each item. A batfan must have!

THE COMIC BOOK:

THE ONE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR COMIC BOOK FANS EVERYWHERE

by Paul Sassienie

The Golden Age of comic books from 1938 to 1945. In that time superheroes such as Superman (who was created by Jerry Sigel and Joe Shuster and was originally a power-crazed villain) and others from DC Comics; Captain America and others came from Timely (later Marvel Comics); and Captain Marvel and others from Fawcett. In the Post-Golden ate of 1945 to 1950 was the decline of the superheroes and the rise of western, romance, animal, and crime. In the Pre-Silver Age of 1950 to 1956 horror comics were all the rage and reflected society's attitude. During that came the Comics Code Authority and censorship. With the Silver Age of 1956 to 1969 superheroes were back and DC Comics brought out new versions of classic heroes and Marvel Comics brought out more realistic superheroes. In the Post-Silver Age of 1970 to 1980 the comics code was challenged and comic books took on a harder edge. By the time of the New Era 1981 to 1989 the comic book market changed with specialty comic book stores and the boom was in. but in the 1990s the boom ended and DC Comics started killing off and changing characters to regain the market and Marvel Comics had some tough times as prices on comics continue to rise. What is next? Only time will tell. Also included is a grading and assessment guide, how to start and maintain a collection, and the buying and selling. A good reference guide.

COMIC BOOK HEROES ON THE SCREEN

by William Schoell

From the serials, to movies, to television, comic book heroes have been quite popular. Batman went from two serials from Columbia Pictures in 1943 and 1949, to the camp television series and movie in 1966 to 1969, to the series of movies that stated in 1989. Captain America appeared in a Republic serial in 1943, in 1979 came two made-for TV movies that were really bad, and then in 1989 there was a new movie that went nowhere. Superman proved more enduring starting in 1948 in the serials, then to television in 1953, Broadway called in 1965, big budget movies started in 1978 and continued for four years, Superboy first appeared in a pilot in 1960 but nothing came of it and so it wasn't until 1988 that Superboy came to television for three seasons, and Supergirl came to the movies in 1984 to lackluster success. Another popular superheroes that appeared in a Republic Pictures serial in 1941 was Captain Marvel, but DC Comics killed off Captain Marvel who was brought back by DC and in 1975 in a Saturday morning television show. In the seventies four Marvel Comics superheroes came to television: Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Captain America. Wonder Woman bounced onto television for four seasons starting in 1975 on ABC then CBS, the Flash only ran for one season in 1990. Other comic book heroes have appeared in movies and television and will continue to do so. A rich illustrated guide for film and comic book collectors.

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