Comics | Histories – Texts, Methods, Resources is the first volume of a newly founded book series of essays about comics from German publisher Rombach Wissenschaft, which includes a fascinating “potted history” of Marvel Comics by Mark Hibbett, the world’s self-acclaimed “academic expert” on Doctor Doom!
Although its title is academic and may seem dry in tone, “Periodising ‘The Marvel Age’ Using the Production of Culture Approach” is a good read, and offers some interesting insights into behind the scenes battles at Marvel between creators such as Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin and Tom de Falco, among others. The article usefully guides readers through Marvel’s chequered history, and recounts how many in charge of the “Bullpen” battled with intransigent executives at Marvel to secure better working deals for the contributing creators to the company’s many titles.
Mark Hibbett (and, also, here) is a member of University of the Arts London‘s Comics Research Hub, and, he says, “the world’s leading (and only) academic expert in Doctor Doom”, although this may be a little tongue in cheek – other academics might contest the claim! (You can check out his “Doctor Doom” dedicated blog here). He’s also currently working on projects to do with Donald Duck, Dennis The Menace, and Judge Dredd. Check out some of his other articles here on the UAL website.
Edited by Jessica Bauwens-Sugimoto, Felix Giesa and Christina Meyer, Comics | Histories – Texts, Methods, Resources can be downloaded from the Nomos Library for free here.
“The international scholarship on the medium of comics has grown extensively, in particular in the past twenty years, in and across different academic disciplines,” the editors note in their introduction, prompting the publication of this new series aimed not only at academics but comic enthusiasts and archivists, the publisher hoping to encourage contributions to future volumes from a wide circle. “Our new book series Comics|Histories positions itself within this growing field of Comics Studies.”
Seeking to offer a distinct identity in its essays, the series seeks to reflect the increasing international nature of the comic form, and the editors look to be seeking material beyond North American and European comics. This first collection also features articles on Indian comics and examines war stories in comics.
Based in Germany, the Nomos eLibrary offers seamless access to academic publications by more than 60 publishers in various fields, including Politics, Economics, Media and Communication research, History, Education and Culture, Linguistics and Literature, and much more.
• Comics | Histories – Texts, Methods, Resources can be downloaded from the Nomos Library for free here
• Mark Hibbett is online at mjhibbett.co.uk
With thanks to Paul Gravett
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Comics Education News, Comics Studies, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
Has Mark Hibbert heard of Professor Douglas Wolk? Perhaps he’s playing with comic book hyperbole to declare he’s the only academic expert on Doctor Doom? Where has Hibbert published?
Um… there’s a link to Mark’s academic profile in the story, David, but I have tweaked the copy a little as he may have been joking and, as you indicate, others might contest his “Doctor Doom” claim. However, I’ve also added a link to his “Doctor Doom” blog at mjhibbett.co.uk/doom/ which you may enjoy
Thanks, much appreciated.