1,000 Comic Books You Must Read

Hero Worship!

1000 Comic Books You Must Read is an unforgettable journey through 70 years of comic books. Arranged by decade, this book introduces you to 1000 of the best comic books ever published and the amazing writers and artists who created them.

• See Superman from his debut as a sarcastic champion of the people, thumbing his nose at authority, to his current standing as a respected citizen of the world
• Experience the tragic moment when Peter Parker and a generation of Spider-Man fans learned that with great power, there must also come great responsibility"
• Meet classic characters such as Archie and his Riverdale High friends, Uncle Scrooge McDuck, Little Lulu, Sgt. Rock, the kid cowboys of Boys' Ranch, and more.
• Enjoy gorgeous full-color photos of each comic book, as well as key details including the title, writer, artist, publisher, copyright information, and entertaining commentary.

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Back to Basics Scrapbooking redefines the stereotypes of scrapbooking, showing new scrapbookers and veterans alike to scrap in simple ways without feeling pressure to get "caught up." Packed with everything new scrapbookers need to know to dive into the craft, this book is the go-to guide to for every scrapbook beginner. Five chapters teach you: how to develop a philosophy of simple scrapbooking; what essential tools you'll need and how to use them; how to organize photos; how to tell a story; the basics of layout design; and much more. Plus, projects and theme ideas and 100+ simple, accessible layouts illustrate how to start scrapbooking and keep it simple.

Library Journal

In this fun and enlightening volume, comics scripter and commentator Isabella, a longtime reviewer for the Comics Buyer's Guide, distills a lifetime of comics reading into 1000 wide-ranging and knowledgeable recommendations. His stated intention is to present not necessarily the best or most important comics but 1000 great comics that showcase "the quality and variety of the comics art form." His choices are arranged chronologically. Some are well-known classics (the Fantastic Four's "Galactus Trilogy"; Maus), others are seminal works that introduced heroes such as Superman or the X-Men, and others still are by acknowledged masters such as Will Eisner or Carl Barks. But Isabella also spotlights lesser-known Westerns, war stories, romance, horror, humor, undergrounds, and comics from Europe and Japan. His more unexpected selections include issues of Lassie, Welcome Back Kotter, and the toy tie-in Hot Wheels, plus an educational comic on Crohn's disease. VERDICT Unfortunately, Isabella doesn't note where, or if, these sometimes rare comics have been reprinted. Fans will undoubtedly find personal favorites missing (where's the Korvac Saga?), but they will also find many pointers to unfamiliar, and most likely rewarding, reading. Recommended.—S.R.

Wendy Smedley is a well-known expert of new scrapbooking products, industry developments and creative innovations. She has taught scrapbookers from all over the world and represented scrapbooking on four DVDs, the popular PBS show 'Scrapbook Memories', and continues to connect and inspire through her blog. She previously authored two editions of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Scrapbooking and was involved with Simple Scrapbooks since the magazine's inception.