Comic Books Books

As a long time horse and mystery story lover, I'm always on the lookout for books that combine the two. I've often been disappointed in what I have found. I've read quite a few in this genre with glaring inaccuracies about horses. Or, if they get the horse stuff right, the characters are weak, the plot is convoluted, the pace is off, and the writing is painful. This author gets it right, gets it all right! She obviously knows the difference between a Quarter Horse and a Shetland Pony, the characters are engaging, the plot is interesting, and the story moves along at a decent clip. Even if you aren't a horse lover, it is a good mystery, even if you aren't a mystery lover, it's a good horse story. I'll be looking for more from this author.

A wonderful fun book. I enjoyed how the plot moved from A to B without leaps of faith. It is great to have a horse mystery where the author obviously has been around horses and the horse show scene. Can't wait for the next book.

This is a great book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to her next one:)

What an excellent book! It grabbed me from the very first page & ended with me wanting to read the next book! You know how authors include excerpts from a chapter of the next book in a series? Well, when I finished this book, I was dying to read an excerpt from this author's next book! The Misplaced Horse is very well-written ~ it's as good as ANY of the mystery books that are written by famous authors. It has the added bonus of being written around the horse world. It's refreshing to read such a book that's not full of mistakes about the horse "stuff". I once read a book by a VERY famous author who was talking about a big Tennessee Walker. Then the character went on to say that this big TW was 13.1hh. Nothing like that happens in The Misplaced Horse! The characters are well-developed & the storyline will grab you & hang onto you until the end. I'm going to get copies for everyone I know who likes mysteries or horse books. The Misplaced Horse is a great gift.

I loved the characters and the way the plot moved along. I especially enjoyed the wry humor combined with a mystery plot. A great read, it is a fun book. Great job and I look forward to more.
Jim Brady
Washington, DC

A beautiful books reminescent of Dr Seuss but a little darker. I love it.

Que placer tan grande da el encontrar un tesoro. Eso es lo que siento al leer este bello libro: un gran placer. Una historia que motiva y estimula el alma y la vista. No me deja de imprecionar el estilo tan unico y avanguarda de las imagenes.

Esta obra continua la exploracion en diseno, tematica y conceptuos visuales que empezo el autor en su primer libro. Solamente por su contenido grafico, este libro es una obra de arte moderno digno de ser incluido en museos y estudiado en escuelas de arte.

Illustrations were well done, however the Dr. Seuss wanna-be writing style lacks interest and fluidity. His attempts at the child-like poetry, ala Dr. Seuss with a Tim Burton twist, only prove that writing simple poetry with rhythym isn't as easy as it looks. All is not lost though, it did make a good beverage coaster.

This book delivers an AMAZING message on acceptance, and the art work is EXCEPTIONAL. A MUST HAVE BOOK!

This book offers the unique and witty humor of Michel Gagne' and lets us in on the insight to his imaginative mind and artwork. The story is that of darkness yet with a twist of humor and morals playing on the artwork that is both creative and very much his own. Highly recommended to anyone who is looking for the not so typical childrens books that we have all grown so weary of.

I've never written a review of a book before (at least I don't think I have), but I just had to lay down my feelings about my favorite comic strip series. The whole anti-humor is a bit confusing to me as I don't think I've ever laughed as hard at a comic strip as with the "Jim" strips. Maybe the anti-humor thing comes from the refreshing lack of cynicism.

Jim's life feels real -- it's like watching another person's life unfold with all of their personal thoughts out in the open. You become attached to Jim as he goes through his mundane daily activities. The humor, weirdness and sadness in Jim's life resonates more because you feel you are connecting to a real person rather than some wise-ass talking cat.

If you like 'Pathetic Geek Stories' and 'Life in Hell' you'll love this book. If you can't find the collection make sure to pick up the five individual books offered on Amazon.

I fell in love with Jim in college. One night, several years later, he popped into my head. I got out of bed and started looking up Jim's Journal on the internet. When I found this book, I was ecstatic!! It was so great to read some of my favorites that I remember from college.

Also, if you're a cat-lover, Jim provides some poignant, yet hilarious, reflections on owning a cat.

We all have a little bit of Jim in us.

Who is Jim? For ten years, readers of selected daily newspapers wondered that same thing. Even more, though, they wondered, "Why is Jim?"

"Jim's Journal" was a ten-year-running comic strip which revolved around some average guy living an average life. He had average friends, worked average jobs, and did pretty much less than you or I do on your slowest day. Only, Jim kept a journal, where he would write all about what he did.

"I made some brownies today," he would write. "They were pretty good."

"Mr. Peterson [Jim's cat] ran into the other room," would be another typical entry.

"Today, I took a nap. I woke up at 6 o'clock and wondered whether it was day or night."

And those were the punchlines. There were no jokes to speak of. Only snippets of a boring day. However, there was something redeemable about Jim... He was the pinnacle of Anti-Humor! He wasn't funny, he did nothing remarkable from day to day (although he did get married, in a three-strip special entry)... and yet, this collected edition of all the published "Jim's Journal" cartoons is tremendously difficult to find without paying a premium price, even though it is less than 10 years old!

Readers fall in love with Jim, despite himself.

I find this comic strip absolutely hilarious, as well as charming, poignant, life-like, and sometimes a little melancholy. College students will relate to many of Jim's mundane life experiences, but so will many others simply growing up and living day to day. Jim himself is definitely an observant little fellow, who quietly finds humor in the cliched, sometimes obnoxious sentences his surrounding workmates and friends constantly spew out: it's these moments within the strip where I can't stop laughing. Mostly, though, Jim relates more sober moments about walks, work, eating, his cat, daydreaming, sleeping, and the life and times of his handful of friends. Jim is just a normal guy who probably unconsciously holds back his real emotions in his journal, with the result that the other characters come across much clearer. Speaking of Jim's "handful of friends," here they are:

Tony: the funniest dude in the strip. Where Jim is quiet, Tony is louder and more obnoxous; where Jim simply observes life passively, this guy has an opinion about everything, and is sure to tell anyone within his path how he feels. Tony is famous for going through phases and boasting about how smart he is (drinking 6 glasses of water a day; collecting coupons to save money; attempting jobs to conquer the world, etc., etc.).

Steve: this guy also has his funny moments; he's kind of like a much less aggressive Tony, perhaps somewhere inbetween Jim and Tony in terms of personality. He has academic problems at first, but seems to eventually find his niche.

Ruth: Jim meets Ruth at McDonalds, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ruth is cheery, fun-loving, somewhat non-descript, and sort of in the background most of the time, even when she's hanging around with the rest of the crew.

Also of note is Mark, Joel, Julie and Hal, all workmates of Jim, and all very distinct personalities.

It's hard to say who would latch onto Jim's Journal and who wouldn't, but I know I liked it from the very beginning.

If you haven't heard of Jim's journal and you ended up here because as a fan of the Onion you wanted to see what Scott Dikkers once did, then you're in for a pleasant (or unpleasant time) people are completely polarized by Jim - either you love the strip or you hate it. I love Jim. Don't bother buying any of the single collections when you can own the whole Jim Treasury. Also included in this book (and missing from the other stand alone books i.e. I got married, I made some brownies) is an introduction for each of these books in the collection. Plus you get various insight into the characters and strip from Dikkers in some revealing passages that are both laugh out loud funny and kind of sad. If you are a fan of meta comedy - i.e. comedy that is funny because it is done in such a blank fashion that its hard not to laugh - if only for the absurdity of the whole thing - then this book is for you. If the idea of a comic strip where the punchline for a strip is "when I woke up from my nap I was even more tired than I was before" leaves you scratching your head - then you should probably buy some Marmaduke or Garfield. Maybe a collection of Hagar the Horrible would be best. On the other hand, if you like things that don't always make sense - buy this book. You'll love it.

This is the definitive review of the lovably subversive Rat Fink, the iconic mascot of Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth.
This history of Rat Fink (along with some of his cohorts) evokes the heyday of Ed Roth and the Kustom Kulture he inspired.
Rat Fink personified the 'Anti-Disney' take on the world, popular among social outlaws (of the time) including hot rodders, bikers, and even skateboarders and surfers.
Never serious, but a sincere rebel, R. F. maintained his macabre sense of humor, which endeared him to his devotees, and confused the citizens not in on the joke.

A great book for Ed Roth fans. Very nicely done. I would also get Ed "Big Daddy" Roth: His Life, Times, Cars, and Art for even nicer pictures. Long live Big Daddy!

The various individuals involved with this great man truly did him well by this book. It has motivated me to get out my mack stripers and get some! I'm even pinstriping my toilet seats, anything I can get my hands on! Some great stories and from a truly personal perspective. Great pics to go w/stories too!

Book was in excellent condition. Speedy delivery. Thanks so much.

growing up in the 50's and 60's i can remember many of ed roths creations from custom autos to his wild artwork. this book is just packed with everything. its a joy to read and look at no matter what your age. its worth every penny and much more. dont think about it......buy it!

Red and Rover has become one of my favorite comic strips. They are an adorable pair and they make me smile. It's a simple and heartfelt relationship that is a great escape from today's world. This collection tells of how the two meet and the title really says it all, it's all about a time and a feeling - one that we all wish we were a part of.

This is a wonderful little book. There is a warmth of emotion shared between animal and human that I just love. A great read and I'll enjoy it over and over again.

I first heard of Red and Rover in our newspaper, just after my dog passed away. I miss my dog so much and Red and Rover remind me of the relationship I had with my dog. That comic strip was like a gift from Heaven for me. Even on my worst day, just reading Red and Rover would put a smile on my face. When I learned there was a book about Red and Rover, I ordered it right away. When I received the book, I could not put it down! It makes me laugh out loud and makes me happy. Brian Basset should be congratulated on creating Red and Rover and showing us that this world can be a happier place just by the simple things in life...like a boy and his dog and their wonderful adventures together. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys life, and especially for anyone who has shared their life with a dog!

There is nothing better than a comic strip to take your mind of work for a while, and Red & Rover accomplish thisw task with flying colors... One of the best since Calvin and Hobbes

If Red and Rover doesn't give you the warm fuzzies, you must be a cat person. This collection of comics is so sweet and adorable, you just want to give it a hug. The simple retro-style artwork perfectly matches this nostalgic story of a young boy with NASA aspirations and a dog who would follow him to the moon and back. These faithful companions are joined by Martin, Red's terrible teen brother and their parents. If you ever had a canine best friend when you were growing up, this book will definitely bring back memories.

Do you like adventure books? If you do here's a book. Bone is a great book. Phoney Bone and his cousin Smiley Bone have a Rat creature cub. They go up to the Mountains and try to let it go. But they run into two other Rat creaatures. Will they make it away? Read to find out. Recommended for all cartoon lovers.

We have been patiently awaiting the release of what appears to be another printing of this book. My 8 year old really doesn't like to read...except for the Bone Series. I haven't read them yet but my 12 year old likes them also. I'm just happy to find something he will willingly read. Thank you Jeff Smith!

I have the other four Bone books and they are all in color and have Bone volume_ in the title. Is this book in the same series and in color or do I just have newer or older versions of these graphic novels. I love these books and i just want to know the answer to this question so I don't make a bad buy off Amazon.

Thanks...

"Rock Jaw: Master Of The Eastern Border" is the fifth volume in the nine volume Bone series, which makes it the halfway point. Once again Jeff Smith has done an excellent job of blending humor, mystery and fantasy to create a great tale of adventure

This volume is one great chase sequence, following Fone and Smiley in their adventure where they try to return Bartleby (The Rat Cub) to his people. Along the way they meet the two outcast Rat Creatures, Rock Jaw, an unusual group of orphans, the possum kids, and Kingdok and his Rat Creature followers. Smith is ingenious in mixing in dialogue that advances the overall adventure, with the action of the chase. We learn more about Thorn, the history of the area, and other aspects of the story, even though Thorn, Rose, Lucius, and Phoney don't appear at all.

bone rocks its funny romantique and there's a new adventures adventure in evty onE

When Wrath isn't looking, shoot it in the head.

With that, and other maxims from the acclaimed mercenary handbook, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Pirates, intrepid Captain Tagon blasts off with his crew of misfits in their first collection. This is one of the most clever, funny, and well written comics in recent memory and this collection is the perfect way to enjoy it. With lots of value added features, Under New Management is great value for the money.

Great read from one of my favourite webcomic authors. Nicely printed and lots of interesting bonus content.

All right. The title might sound over the top, but Schlock Mercenary DID change my life in a very real way. Before I found Schlock Mercenary, I thought that all web comics were terrible. Schlock Mercenary opened my eyes to a new world of entertainment, and now I read webcomics every week.

Schlock Mercenary is my homepage.

That said, Schlock Mercenary is a masterfully constructed story. Howard has managed to create a captivating cast of characters that cover every role in a sci-fi mercenary unit. This allows him to tell entertaining stories from every possible point of view. The story is riveting and honest, in it's own bizzare way.

And did I mention FUNNY?

I've been a regular reader of the online strip Schlock Mercenary - if you aren't, you really owe it to yourself to start reading - and finally getting my hands on a print version was a long awaited joy.

For the unfamiliar, Schlock Mercenary follows the mercenary combat Tagon's Toughs as they gleefully resort to violence on behalf of the highest bidders across the Galaxy. The story is smart, coherent, action-packed without being graphic and consistently funny. Schlock Mercenary is also very family friendly without being dumbed-down or banal. The book is a very high quality item, with glossy pages and many extras for the reader - the margins are filled with early concept art and the visual evolution of the artist's designs, and including the footnote commentary to selected strips. As a bonus, there is a short origins story that is not available online, existing only in this book collection.

This is a worthwhile addition to any bookshelf.

Howard Tayler is producing great work in the comic medium for the SF genre.

He offers science fiction hard enough to please the SF purists and technophiles but like any good comic artist puts his engaging plot first. He leads readers through an interesting setting populated with delightful characters and lays the final touches to a foundation for a surprisingly intricate plot in this volume.

It's unique. It's hilarious. Stuff blows up.

Jeff Berry is my hero! He has save the history of the post war tiki/tropical drink way of life. This book introduces the "Rum Pack", the folks behind the drinks we love, back when a drinks with a tropical twist ruled the bar. Jeff shares his treasure chest of research and passes on some of the finest drink recipes ever made. Some of these gems (stories and drinks) were almost lost forever! The drinks are on me if I ever meet Jeff Berry in person.

Jeff "Beachbum" Berry has heavily researched and gone to great lengths to find the true recipes that were guarded with total secrecy to prevent competition from copying the concept. When tiki bars started popping up, only a few people held the real drink recipes that translated to job security. Written in code, the books have finally been cracked by Jeff, and are being shared with the public for the first time ever. He did this by finding the original bartenders (not many of them are still with us, and most, including the inventors such as Don the Beachcomber, took them to the grave). So, you think you've tasted a Zombie? Sorry to say, that it was probably a poorly watered down version of the original. That original recipe and many others are revealed here, with the stories behind the men that made them at the peak of the Tiki Bar craze.
Not much was known about the book's central study: Don The Beachcomber, the originator of the Polynesian bar, restaurant concept. (New recommended book: "Scrounging the Islands with the Legendary Don the Beachcomber: Host to Diplomat, Beachcomber, Prince and Pirate" (Paperback) by Arnold Bitner) Here you get an in depth look into his life, his competitors who tried to steal his ideas (with success in some cases), and the rise and fall of the Polynesian craze.
You'll understand exactly how the tiki craze took off, and be able to concoct some of the greatest drinks of its era, with the help of this book. Awesome full color photos, graphics and illustrations. It's a must have reference!

If you like tropical cocktail (and I do) then there is no way you should be without this guide. You should also own it's companion "Intoxica." With these two books, you pretty much have tiki and tropical drinks covered. These are the original (and sometimes with modifications) recipes. They can't be beat. I gave it only four stars for the simple reason that the layout of these books leaves (for me) a lot to be desired. It'd not that they're hard to read or anything, they just look like some guy in a print shop threw them together with a box of old clip art that they found. Just ill considered layout. A noted tiki/lowbrow artist laid them out and Mr. Berry should have gone with a professional in this line of work. It's not that particular artist's cup of tea and it shows. That sort of thing is my profession so I may be a little over critical. Alas. Buy them.

Well, a lot. Enough that I learned how to make my own "grog mix," cinnamon syrup and, yes, my own pimento liqueur after reading it. It's indispensible as both a bar guide and a history lesson.

I could not get this book in a book store, but found it on Amazon after reading about it in the New York Times Food and Wine section. It was a great gift and appropriate to our tropical setting. We'll enjoy it for a long time.

The author's cousin, Bob, was my childhood best friend. I guess I was reading to find a hint of him when I found myself overwhelmed by the perfect character development of the people of our town. I was so moved that I actually had to put the book down for a few weeks because I was dreaming so much about home. Absolutely can't wait for David's next book.

David Drayer has impressed me! For a first novel, this one is a winner. It's a cross between a more innocent, rural Holden Caulfield (the main character, Seth, reminds me of him a bit) in Catcher and Anderson's Winesberg, OH, one of my all time favorites. It's refreshing to see a new writer who does so many things right! The first 5 chapters or so that revolve around Seth are terrific. If anything, I wanted to see more about Seth, although some of the side characters are memorably drawn as well (the shaving chapter was very well done!). The teenage cruelty is done very realistically and touchingly. As usual, the most sensitive one is the one called "jack off" for his whole life but we can tell he's the best catch of them all.

The final few chapters take a bit of momentum out of the book -- Seth's early life was much more interesting. But that's only a minor criticism of a terrific first effort.

This is not the kind of book I usually go for, but I was curious because David Drayer is my English teacher. I really loved it. I think everyone can find something to relate to and someone to identify with in this story. It covers 7 years of a small town, it's inhabitants and their not-so-closeted skeletons. I couldn't put it down and would have finished it the same day if I could. I highly recommend it.

I was very fortuate to have had Mr. Drayer as a teacher for an English class I took in college one semester. Apart from the book for a moment, he is a very down-to-earth and funny person! I'd never heard of him as a writer before I had him in class, and I have to say that's the only reason I picked up the book in the first place, and I'm glad that I did- I loved it!

This book reminds me of the small town I live in, and the people who circle around in it. The honesty of the writing, and the characters (their emotions,their reactions, their thoughts especially) really hit me. Some authors do a poor job of developing their characters and their emotions, but I really felt like I knew the characters- probably because a lot of the storylines in the book have happened to me, and many people close to me. Who hasn't had a huge crush on a REALLY good-looking teacher??? I know I have!! If you live in a small town, you know how it feels when you are itching to get out of it.

I laughed while reading this book not because I thought it was funny, but because I thought it was honest, and truthful! Most people think like these characters, but never express these thoughts out loud. Because in reality, what do we really want? (what do the characters want, maybe?) We want to have lots and lots of sex, passion, love, change, happiness....etc.

All in all, great book, I can't wait to read what he writes next!

Odd, isn't it, that the miserable and wasted coal fields should enjoy such a grip on at least our literary imaginations? From D. H. Lawrence to
Richard Llewellyn to The Deer Hunter to Homer Hickam, writers have celebrated escaping from mining country, but they've mostly (Lawrence being
the exception who proves the rule) looked back with some fondness. David Drayer's first novel is told in much the fashion of Sherwood Anderson's
Winesburg, Ohio, as a set of interconnected but not necessarily continuous stories. Here they are unified in that they trace the progress of Seth
Hardy, thirteen when we meet him, a man when he leaves town at the end of the book. The town is Cherry Run, Pennsylvania. The strip cuts of the
title are the remnants of the region's mining history.

Seth is a likable enough protagonist, undergoing the familiar torments of an awkward boy, with an unfortunate nickname, amongst high school
bullies. His particular nemesis is the loathsome Claude Coarsen. In a scene that provides a visceral thrill to anyone who's ever been bullied and that
offers a kind of insight into how kids might end up shooting up their schools, Seth draws a bead on Coarsen when they are both out hunting deer.
But in this case, Seth doesn't shoot. Equally compelling is a scene between Seth and the pretty young teacher who is one of his biggest supporters.
She ponders what would be so wrong about reaching out to this unhappy young man, yet has the good sense to control herself. And in many ways it
is Seth's father, Earl, who resides at the core of the book, a decent though reserved man who is capable of being just as strict with his son's high
school principal as he is with the boy and who proves a soft touch for a couple who are down on their luck.

This is an impressive debut, perhaps most impressive for Mr. Drayer's allegiance to his own material. He apparently resisted editors' attempts to strip
out secondary characters and he wisely avoided what must be a powerful temptation for any writer today, eschewing the annoyingly popular memoir
form and sticking with a novel. Mr. Drayer has said that he wants to return to these characters because he's interested to see what will happen to
them. You'll be curious too.

GRADE : B+

Nothing like the original stuff which came out before I was old enough to read. A 'must have' for anyone serious about the classic comics.

The reprints are gorgeous and in a wonderful hardcover that shouldn't fall apart too quickly. The text prefacing the book is boring and unneccessary, mostly, this book just costs waaayyyy too much. I would've preferred to get it in comic book format for about 10 dollars, but they no longer reprint this stuff. The stories aren't very good, but it's interesting to read in it's amateurishness and see how things originally were intended.

This is actually some great stuff. I think the early Superman stories are good examples of exciting storytelling with interesting social commentary.

For example, the first Superman story contains a none-too subtle anticaptial punishment message, as our man saves a lady from an execution and a man form a lynching (remember, this is 1938). The second shows Supe stopping a war that is concocted by munitions manufactureres (an early anti-WW2 message).

Along with that, reading these early adventures gives you the feeling that you're a little kid in pre-television 1938-39, sitting with awe and wonder with these exciting tales either being read to you by a skilled adult storyteller, or by yourself with a flashlight at night. Once you get in that mood of an inner child, you can really get into this stuff and it's lots of fun.

However, I would agree that the cost is a bit much for a new edition. Buy a good used copy. Gather the kids (over age 10, that is) around, turn the lights down low, read it with vigor, and have a ball!

The book was recived with in a week of sale and was shipped very well.

I was going to point out that the chief value of reading the first four issues of "Superman" collected in Volume 1 of the "Superman Archives" was nostalgia, but then I realized that the term really applies to the past that you remember, and I was not reading "Superman" comic books back in 1939. Actually, reading any of the Superman titles was something I only did when we went to visit my cousins because their sun porch had a treasure trove of comic books. The comic books I remember buying on a semi-regular basis were war comics, specifically "Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos" and "Sgt. Rock" ("Our Army at War" back then). Since my father was in the military this was hardly surprising. When the "Batman" television series came out I was caught up in that and bought a subscription to the "Batman" comic book for a year, by first superhero comic book, very much aware that it was quite different from the show. But it was not until we were stationed in Japan that I got into Marvel Comics in a big way ("Amazing Spider-Man" #62 was my first purchase), and while I was busy Making Mine Marvel I developed a corresponding disdain for Superman and the entire DC line that lasted for a while. After all, I remember a Superman story where he swallows his costume to protect his identity, assuring the readers everything would come out okay in the end. Anyhow, it was not until DC rebooted the Man of Steel, giving him over to John Byrne for a significant makeover, that I started reading Superman comics on a regular basis. So actually reading the first four issues of was a revelation.

Keep in mind that Superman first appeared in the first issue of "Action" comics in 1938, so even though we get an origin story in "Superman" #1 these are not the very first Superman stories. I have a reprinted version of "Superman" #1 that is part of the "Superman Masterpiece Edition," along with an 8-inch state of the 1938 Superman and an illustrated book chronicling the Man of Steel's Golden Age, so I had read that premier issue before. The origin is actually just the first two pages of the first story in which the main plot has Superman saving an innocent woman from the electric chair (and getting Clark Kent a job at the "Daily Star"). This leads to the second story where Superman teaches a munitions maker about the horrors of war. Then we find an invitation to become a charter member of "Supermen of America" and a "Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength" (Krypton's inhabitants evolved to physical perfection). The other two stories in the issue are reprinted from earlier issues of "Action," with Superman teaching a lesson to the heartless own of a coal mine and then taking the place of Tommy Burke, the greatest football player of all time. Following an introduction to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman's creators, there is two-page prose story regarding the Man of Steel (amazing that kids would want to read a prose story in a comic book).

In "Superman" #2 the Man of Tomorrow saves Larry Trent the ex-heavyweight champ from committing suicide and getting him a chance to re-win his title in the first story and "Champions Universal Peace!" in the second by ending the Boravian Civil War (at one point a soldier thinks he must be shooting blanks at Superman and shoots himself in a foot to prove, well disprove, his hypothesis). Then we have "Superman and the Skyscrapers," where Clark Kent investigates five deaths in as many days at the erection of the Atlas Building, followed by another prose story (but this time accompanied by two drawings). "Superman" #3 offers stories in which Superman and Clark help a runaway orphan, Clark battles Lois to get a big story (and Lois kisses Superman for what appears to be the first time), Superman has to deal with advertisers using his name as well as a spate of crimes, and Superman captures a smuggling ring. Clark has a lot more to do in these stories (and he is now working at the "Daily Planet"), which are a bit shorter as Siegel and Shuster's work is compliment by a couple of prose stories that have nothing to do with Superman and a one-page strip about a dog named "Shorty." In "Superman" #4 our hero takes on the evil Professor Martinson, fights a torpedo-like projectile and a pterodactyl courtesy of the mad scientist known as Luthor (no first name, but he has hair), stops a saboteur, and saves a truck drivers union from racketeers.

As I was reading these stories I was rather surprised that Siegel and Shuster were coming up with four Superman stories for each of these 72-page issues, but when you get to the back of this volume the Afterword by Jim Steranko explains that some of these stories are reprinted from "Action" and a couple were converted from stories drawn for newspaper syndication. Steranko, who also does the Foreword where he puts the creation of Superman in historical perspective, candidly observes that these two young pioneers typically stumble and fall in these early efforts, "yet, in retrospect, their failures are often as interesting as their successes." That is really what is captivating about these early stories, because neither the quality of the stories nor of the artwork is all that compelling. Here we discover that Superman is clearly a creature of the Great Depression whose commitment to justice is tempered by socialist inclinations as he protects the workers against the rich. It is also interesting to see that Superman dislikes Lois Lane as much as she disdains Clark Kent. Most obvious is that Superman does not have his full superpowers at this point where he can "hurdle skyscrapers, leap an eighth of a mile, raise tremendous weighs, run faster than a streamline train, and nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!" Still, you can find the bare bones of the Superman mythos here and come to a better understanding how the first comic book superhero ended up becoming the greatest one of them all.