1 in 1938, introduced the world to something both unprecedented and timeless: Superman, a caped god for the modern age. In a matter of years, the skies of the imaginary world were filled with strange mutants, aliens, and vigilantes: Batman, Wonder Woman, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and the X-Men—the list of names as familiar as our own. In less than a century, they’ve gone from not existing at all to being everywhere we look: on our movie and television screens, in our videogames and dreams. But what are they trying to tell us?For Grant Morrison, arguably the greatest of contemporary chroniclers of the “superworld,” these heroes are powerful archetypes whose ongoing, decades-spanning story arcs reflect and predict the course of human existence: Through them we tell the story of ourselves, our troubled history, and our starry aspirations. In this exhilarating work of a lifetime, Morrison draws on art, science, mythology, and his own astonishing journeys through this shadow universe to provide the first true history of the superhero—why they matter, why they will always be with us, and what they tell us about who we are . . . and what we may yet become.

    A team of long-dormant Soviet super-weapons is awake, angry, and heading straight at the heart of Los Angeles ready to finish World War III The front line of defense is a team that's been together since just before nine this morning The queen of PR starts her spin A dead body hides more than just a murder mystery And-and-and - a super-sex tape What on earth could justify the use of that many exclamation points? Surely, it could only be The Order, the newest ongoing series written by Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, Punisher War Journal) and with art by the amazing Barry Kitson.Collecting: The Order 1-6

    Think comic books can t feature strong female protagonists? Think again! In The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen you ll meet the most fascinating exemplars of the powerful, compelling, entertaining, and heroic female characters who ve populated comic books from the very beginning. This spectacular sisterhood includes costumed crimebusters like Miss Fury, super-spies like Tiffany Sinn, sci-fi pioneers like Gale Allen, and even kid troublemakers like Little Lulu. With vintage art, publication details, a decade-by-decade survey of industry trends and women s roles in comics, and spotlights on iconic favorites like Wonder Woman and Ms. Marvel, The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen proves that not only do strong female protagonists belong in comics, they ve always been there."

    Wong possessed by Nightmare! Dormammu and Umar in unholy alliance! The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner at each other's throats! Can Doctor Strange reunite the Defenders and save reality as we know it? Only the Ancient One knows for sure!

    We've seen Tony Stark go down and get back up many times - but from the grave?! When his longtime employer and friend seemingly loses his struggle to hold onto life, Jim Rhodes dons the new War Machine armour and shows the world what's black and white and fed up all over!

    A cultural history of Wonder Woman traces the character's creation and enduring popularity, drawing on interviews and archival research to reveal the pivotal role of feminism in shaping her seven-decade story.Examines the life of Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston and his polyamorous relationship with wife Elizabeth Holloway and mistress Olive Byrne, both of whom inspired and influenced the comic book character's creation and development.-Abstract from WorldCat

    In the 1960's, Kirby joined with Stan Lee to develop many of our best-known and most beloved superheroes, including the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, the Avengers, and the Silver Surfer. Ronin Ro chronicles Kirby's poverty-stricken origins in New York's Lower East Side, his early commercial triumphs and failures, his renowned partnership with Lee, and his revolutionary artistic innovations, tracing the comic book industry from its inauspicious beginnings to its sensational successes.

    So prepare yourself for such not-ready-for-prime-time heroes as Bee Man (Batman, but with bees), the Clown (circus-themed crimebuster), the Eye (a giant, floating eyeball; just accept it), and many other oddballs and oddities. Drawing on the entire history of the medium, The League of Regrettable Superheroes will appeal to die-hard comics fans, casual comics readers, and anyone who enjoys peering into the stranger corners of pop culture.

    His creations have starred in multibillion-dollar grossing movies and TV series. This is his story.Danny Fingeroth writes a comprehensive biography of this powerhouse of ideas who changed the world’s understanding of what a hero is and how a story should be told, while exploring Lee's unique path to becoming the face of comics.With behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with Stan’s brother Larry Lieber and other industry legends, The Marvelous Life has insights that only an insider like Fingeroth can offer.Fingeroth, himself a longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics and now a lauded pop culture critic and historian, knew and worked with Stan Lee for over three decades. Due to this connection, Fingeroth is able to put Lee’s life and work in a context that makes events and actions come to life as no other writer could.

    Captain Marvel was re-introduced to fans in the pages of the hit '99 series Avengers Forever, which became an instant classic.From the pages of the hit Avengers Forever comes an instant classic: Captain Marvel. Son of the legendary Mar-Vell, Genis continues the legacy left by his Kree-warrior father. There's a catch, though, since Genis shares a body with Rick Jones, longtime Avengers ally. Only one of them can exist on Earth at any given moment. Hijinks ensueRick is trying to figure out what his life holds for him. He's trying to work things out with his estranged wife, Marlo, and trying to understand what it means to be a hero.Genis, on the other hand, is trying to acclimate to Earth, Rick, and a world full of dangers. Will this unlikely duo be able to get along long enough to save the world??Collects:- Captain Marvel (2000) #0-#6

    The Fantastic Four are four-closed!Collecting: Marvel Knights 4 1-7

    The time-displaced young X-Men continue to adjust to a present day that's more awe-inspiring and disturbing than they could ever imagine! But as Jean Grey pushes her powers to the limit and Mastermind targets the young Jean, will a tragic history repeat itself? And as one of their number departs to join the adult Cyclops' crew of revolutionaries, the teens encounter the Uncanny Avengers...and young Cyclops meets the adult version of his brother Havok! Then, in the fallout from the Battle of the Atom, Kitty Pryde and the All-New X-Men's faith in Wolverine's Jean Grey School has been completely eroded - so where have they gone instead, and what will they do?Collecting: All -New X-Men 11-15, 18-21, & material from A+X 18, X-Men: Battle of the Atom 2, X-Men : Gold 1

    Writer/artist John Byrne launched the Fantastic Four into realms where few creators before had dared to go. Now, the collection of his classic run continues! Featuring a four-part epic deep within the Negative Zone -- and the death of...Reed Richards?! Plus: Galactus devours the Skrull homeworld, and the Fantastic Four say goodbye to the Baxter Building! Guest-starring the Avengers!

    From the ashes of the Avengers, a new group of heroes springs forth - all of whom happen to be former villains New Thunderbolts signals a return to greatness for one of Marvel's longest-running titles of the last decade But does this new team have the backbone to support the hopes and dreams of an entire city? Guest-starring Spider-Man and Wolverine.Collecting: New Thunderbolts 1-6

    This comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the blockbuster 'Iron Man' movie features exclusive content, from concept art and armor design, to unreleased stills and a glimpse at the creative process.