An education in comic book culture

[Allegory Comics]

I (infrequently) write a column for Wizard called "The UnGraphic Novel", where I review books that examine comics as a serious topic of art, literature, culture, philosophy, psychology, religion, or whatever.

I'm WAY behind on the column, because I'm WAY behind in my reading. But I thought it would be a great thread here where people could recommend books like these.

On my bookshelf now, that I can remember, are:

The 10-Cent Plague
Batman Unmasked: Analyzing a Cultural Icon
The Philosophy of Batman
Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers and Heroes in Gotham City
Our Gods Wear Spandex
The Psychology of Superheroes
Superheroes and Gods: A Comparative Study from Babylonia to Batman
Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics and the Creation of the Superhero
Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway
The Gospel According to the World's Greatest Superhero
The Man from Krypton
Arguing Comics: Literary Masters on a Popular Medium
Understanding Comics
Reinventing Comics
Comics as Philosophy
Profiles in Popular Culture
Seduction of the Innocent

Anyone else have any to share?

[Aaron Thomas Nelson]

The Man from Krypton is really good. Plus, David Hopkins' critique in it of Michael Chabon's "take" on Superman is excellent.

Alan Moore's "Writing for Comics" is a good take on how he views comics and graphic novels, for sure.

[pi0trov]

Men of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones is a great read - more of a history lesson in the creation of comics, but also deals with the effect of Superman and his creators in general.

[Comix Obsession]

How about 'The Art of Krazy Kat' by George Herriman and others? If not only to get an insight into a the great mind behind the comic strip. :cool: