[CLOSED] Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics $100 or free 4 4

[SOTIcollector]

The Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics.  1981.  Well-read copy, with some writing on a couple pages and some warping that suggests moisture but not full liquid immersion.

To be extra certain I'm not breaking any rules, I'm putting a price on it.  A hundred bucks, shipped, which is a LOT more than it's worth.  I'm assuming nobody will buy it.  I'd rather give it away for free, because it was just given to me and I already have one on my shelf.

The book's chapters focus on a variety of topics: Some focus on characters (Superman), some on creators (Basil Wolverton), some on creators and characters (Donald Duck and Carl Barks) and one chapter focuses on a publisher (EC).  To win this book, tell me what chapter you would have included in the book if you had been asked.  It can be a chapter about a character, a creator or a publisher you feel is missing from the book.  Tell me what you would add to the book and why, but it can only be one chapter.  I'll pick my favorite answer sometime within the next week, when answers stop trickling in.  The person with the answer I like the best wins the book.  If you're in the US, I ship it for free.  If you're outside the US, you pay exact shipping via PayPal. No returns.

Chapters are:

Superman

Batman

Scribbly and Sheldon Mayer

Plastic Man and Jack Cole

Captain Marvel and CC Beck

Basil Wolverton

George Carlson

Little Lulu and John Stanley

Donald Duck and Carl Barks

Pogo and Walt Kelly

The Spirit and Will Eisner

EC Comics

 

 

Edited October 11, 2020 by SOTIcollector
Adding details

[JB123]

What in the world?

[JB123]

Burgos and the torch v Everett and Subby.

[BS Damutantman]

Wow I've never heard of this before but it's pretty nifty.

My personal nomination would be All-American (comics, westerns, and men of war). I'm biased because it's my favorite DC GA run, but hear me out: there are several notable first appearances, the whole collection spans from early GA to late SA, and you get this really clear case study which shows changing readership interests w.r.t. time (superheroes, sidekicks/animals, westerns, and war).  

[Bejack3]

My chapter would be on Stan Lee's abuse of the content creators for the company that he marketed.

[GoldenAgeAddict]

Wonder Woman and Marston

[Toz]

I had one.Enjoyed it very much.It's what turned me on to the Spirit.

[ender]

I want a chapter on the great pre-hero creators: Flessel, O’’Malia and such.

[JB123]

Ill pay five bucks to enter a second idea!!!!! Increase my chances????

[Cushing Fan]

I'd add a chapter on the Seduction of the Innocent comic books.

[Robot Man]

My first thought was Timely/Marvel but that was already suggested. Besides was probably left out for copyright purposes. 

So I will go with Misc publishers like MLJ, Ace, Harvey and others. All the cool forgotton heroes that are so popular today. Heck, MLJ spawned Archie. Next to Supes/Bat/Mickey Mouse maybe the most successful of comic book characters.

[Jginsberg79]

A chapter on the evolution of comics from strips to comic books. It could highlight Peanuts, Superman, etc and show the origin in newspaper strips. The shorter bits would be really interesting to kids while the history would keep adults interested.

[fast eddie]

I think I would like a chapter on Captain America and the  political implications of such a character,,,,,,,, the WW2 stereotypes that were shown within racial frames,,,,,,, would make for a facinating historical reference,,,,,,,,

[Readcomix]

Very cool thing to do @SOTIcollector. I'm only not playing because I have a copy, but I know what I'd suggest. (It's one of the ones someone has suggested.)

Curious to see which way you go! Gang, it's a cool tome and the winner will be happy! 

[alexgross.com]

clearly needs a chapter on mcfarlane and his genius creation of Spawn. 

[JollyComics]

No one claimed it?  Hmmm.

[AJD]

A chapter on American comic books and characters in foreign reprints would be something that rounds out the book nicely.

[Ybmetluap]

Hi There,

The price of free is very tempting.

Perhaps I could pay $10 for the book and also pay for slow (low-cost) shipping.

My email address is paul.r.temby@gmail.com.

I live in San Diego.

Email or call  me if you would like to part with the book.

Thanks,

Paul Temby

1-858-354-4557

[Jesse-Lee]

I'd do a chapter on Plop! and its crossover appeal in the horror and satire genres - DC horror books, MAD, etc. Basil Wolverton is already in there so it'd be a great segue, and "The Gourmet" story from Plop! #1 still haunts me - and that'd give Bernie Wrightson some due props too. This is a super cool book!

[OtherEric]

You can count me out on the competition, as I already have a copy.  But my suggestion for what the book is missing?

Some Feldstein-edited New Trend EC stories.  For all that I personally prefer the Kurtzman edited material, the book's 5 EC stories should not be four pieces by Kurtzman & crew and "Master Race" as the only story from the Feldstein side of the shop.  Judgement Day and a couple of pieces from Shock Suspenstories would probably fit the bill perfectly.