Never before has there been a single volume like the Comic Book Encyclopedia , a one-stop shopping guide to the best comics, graphic novels, artists, writers, and characters of the comic book universe. The encyclopedia spans more than seventy years, and within its pages you will find the origins of Superman and the X-Men, underground comic gurus like Robert Crumb, foreign sensations like Tintin, and individual writers and artists who changed the landscape of comics forever. Get an overview of major milestones in comics history with the opening time line or just flip through the book for Archie, Casper, Batman, Wonder Woman, and all the rest as you get hooked on the history of art-driven storytelling -- and never look at a comic book or graphic novel the same way again! A must-have, fully illustrated compendium of the greatest comics, graphic novels, characters, artists, and writers from around the country. Whether you're a comic book newbie or a die-hard fan, this is the one and only book you'll ever need for a complete overview of this exciting world! Inside you'll find: more than 400 comic covers, interiors, and images A historic time line from the '30s to today A selection of top graphic novels The origins of your favorite characters Biographies of top writers and illustrators and much, much more! lavishly illustrated collection of top comics published since the 1930s provides detailed information on key characters, graphic novels, writers, artists, and the universes of prominent series, in a single-volume reference for both novice collectors and long-time aficionados.