The Penguin Book of Comics

Book excerpt: This is the story of strip cartoons since comics began, of the artists who created the characters, and of the characters who took charge of their creators. Here you'll find the true tale of Jane and Flook, of Popeye, Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, and L'il Abner, of Tarzan and Captain America and Peanuts, and of all the characters who live in cages but rule the world ... or the better half of it. In this sumptuous, new and supercharged edition of a now classic book George Perry has updated the original text and Alan Aldridge has provided further evidence of his graphic brilliance and keen eye for social history. This is the book that recalls the old-time childhood magic, yet succinctly defines the new, sharp, cool power the comics exert on today's adult world.