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From Booklist
Recent years have seen a multitude of books about the comic-book industry aimed at a general readership. Was Superman a Spy? is for the opposite kind of audience, hard-core comic-book fans, especially fans of superhero comics. Cronin covers familiar ground with a fine net, hoping to uncover the facts behind some of the “urban legends” in comic-book history. Was the Thing, member of the Fantastic Four, Jewish? Did Bob Kane, creator of Batman, also create Robin, the Boy Wonder? Why did artist and cocreator Steve Ditko leave Spider-Man? Cronin also traces the transference of comic-book heroes into other media, such as movie serials, feature films, and television series. He focuses primarily on stories promoted by the “Big Two” comic-book companies, Marvel and DC Comics, although he includes a section on Walt Disney and such smaller publishers as Fawcett and EC. Those just getting into graphic novels may not find much of interest here, but for hard-core superhero fans and comic-book history mavens, it will be good to the last identity switch. --Stephen Weiner
Product Description
Fascinating and often bizarre true stories behind more than 130 urban legends about comic book culture
Was Superman a Spy? demystifies all of the interesting stories, unbelievable anecdotes, wacky rumors, and persistent myths that have piled up like priceless back issues in the seventy-plus years of the comic book industry, including:
* Elvis Presley's trademark hairstyle was based on a comic book character (True)
* Stan Lee featured a gay character in one of Marvel's 1960s war comics (False)
* Wolverine of the X-Men was originally meant to be an actual wolverine! (True)
* What would have been DC's first black superhero was changed at the last moment to a white hero (True)
* A Dutch inventor was blocked from getting a patent on a process because it had been used previously in a Donald Duck comic book (True)
With many more legends resolved, Was Superman a Spy? is a must-have for the legions of comic book fans and all seekers of "truth, justice, and the American way."
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