The Ultimate Book of British Comics

The American comic book produced some of the most iconic creations of the twentieth century. Generations of children grew up with Batman, Superman, Captain America and scores of other colourful characters. There is not a child in the world that would not recognise Spider-Man or The X-Men. And there have been scores of books celebrating these characters and their influence on our lives. That is why this book isn't about them. In Britain, the comics of our youth were weekly affairs, resolutely black and white and grounded in music hall humour and Pathe News adventure. Buster, Whizzer & Chips, the Beano and the Dandy - these are the comics that shaped the lives of British boys and girls. Did you have to stifle your sobs when Roy of the Rovers hung up his boot? Did you realise Charley's War was a thoughtful and subversive piece of anti-war literature, or did you just like seeing the krauts getting bayoneted? Do you get a guilty thrill reading the reprinted Beryl the Peril every weekend in the Sunday Times? If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, then this book is for you. With entries for all the major weekly British comic books from their golden age of the 60s, 70s and 80s, and individual entries for hundreds of inspired characters, this will be an essential purchase for anyone who still hasn't forgiven their mum for clearing out the attic of all their old Warlords, Whoopees and Wizards all those years ago.Jon Howells is the author of 'The Ultimate Book of British Comics', published 2003 under ISBN 9780749006020 and ISBN 0749006021.