ComicScene History of Comics, Reviewed. 1950, 1977, 1984 and 1986.

How about some comic book education? Why might it help to have a Gorilla adorned cover? How a free space spinner fits into UK comic book history? How Alan Moore redefined the swamp? What about John Wagner coming 3rd behind both himself and himself for an award? Well, if you know the answers or not, everyone can learn something new about our biggest passion in Comicscene's History Of Comics.

Comicscene is currently in the midst of phase two of a Kickstarter campaign to bring a second set of four tomes of their series, namely 1971, 1976, 1991 and 2020 to life offering an ideal opportunity to look back at the first four volumes (1950, 1977, 1984 and 1986) of what I’d like to call, in tribute to the Marvel god, the Encyclopedickus Scientia Comicus Liber. Or a complete knowledge of history-defining comics. Look, they got the name right. I'm just getting in the spirit of things, basically, we’re looking at an encyclopedia of comic history presented in a perfectly entertaining format.

Each specific year is given a historical context in relation to popular culture and the comics produced, a list of top ten comics and an article on the comic museum's artefacts for said year. These are followed by a mix of articles concerning important British and American comics, interviews with history-defining creators and musings on franchises before being rounded out with a selection of reviews and as a finale a nice big dollop of straight-up facts. The whole package results in an educating and entertaining read that will leave you cleverer than when you started and with a hunger to deep dive into some of those historically important comics that you may not have heard of and nostalgic for the ones you have. There's something for everyone here.

So, let’s start with the art. Ok well, not in my traditional comic review way, but regardless the Comicscene History Of Comics contains within their tomes a truly heady mix of history-defining imagery. Whether important front covers, photographs of museum treasures with the odd selfie or perfectly picked excerpts of panels to highlight how truly special the spotlight subject is. The imagery on offer divides, distinguishes and introduces each chapter so completely you are dazzled further by the brilliance that sits in the heart of each of the singled out comics. Personnel highlights from each book would be the 1950s tribute to Charles Schulz and Peanuts, the 1977s collection of Heavy Metal imagery, 1984s Halo Jones, although the Seacon photographs make for wonderful observations, and finally, 1986s selection of photos from the Uk Comic Art Convention 86 portfolio. All these examples are just the tip of the iceberg, as each volume delivers wonderful snapshots of all the most defining comics as well as the imagery of its time. I felt transported to those years and felt educated in visual lovelies of these defining and defined years. Comicscene's History Of Comics is a feast for the eyeballs for fans of all ages while also offering food for thought in its equally well-pitched format.

Well, art aside, the story presented here is obviously that of historical importance. Managing to reduce a year's worth of creation while simultaneously giving understandable context in a book that doesn't overwhelm or resemble an Encyclopedia Britannica must have been an arduous task but all involved here have delivered wonderfully. We are presented with a treasure trove of comic facts presented by a cavalcade of contributors with unquestionable dedication, passion and knowledge.

John McShane's introductory overviews serve as the perfect gateway to these volumes with a style somewhere between a TedTalk and an oral history shaman from the campfire. Like the wise wizard from behind the counter of your favourite comic book store Richard Bruton educates with his top ten comics for each year as well as providing reviews for other notable comics. With the prolific blogger Richard Sheaf contributing to the wider scale history with expertly informative Comic Museum ponderings that feel like being entertained by an otherworldly museum tour guide. These gentlemen along with all the other contributors make these volumes a necessity for all comic book fans and collectors. The enthusiasm, passion and knowledge are contagious without being exhausting, learned and enlightening without being condescending and ultimately very entertaining. The wealth of knowledge on display covers so many bases, includes other mediums and provides a real education into every facet of comics, their place in culture, entertainment and history of the wonderful art that comes with our biggest passion comics, in all its glory, for better or worse, in delight and controversy.

This is an excellent compendium of knowledge. Comicscenes History Of Comics I’m sure will ultimately become a go-to for unrivalled knowledge of year defining comics while shedding light and context on the history and players of this most valuable of arts. So to get your copies of these, head over to Latest & Back Issues (comicscene.org) then get yourself over to Kickstarter to secure your copies of those upcoming volumes. ComicScene History of Comics Books 5 to 8 by ComicScene - Kickstarter.

Review: Probably more important than numbers