Recommended Reading: "The Krypton Companion"

As an amateur "historian" of the comics biz, I've been a big fan of TwoMorrows Publishing for many years.  Their devotion to honoring the creative people who invented and sustained the artform is second to none, and can be seen in every one of their in-depth and superbly produced publications.  Whether it's an overview of an influential artist's career, a magazine devoted to examining specific aspects of the artform (such as drawing or writing techniques) or the hobby of comic book collecting, TwoMorrows can't be beat.

With that said, TwoMorrows has surpassed their own (already high) standards with The Krypton Companion, a 240-page overview of the Silver and Bronze Age Superman (a period stretching from the late 1950's through the mid-80's).

Broken into four broad categories, the chronology covers not only the important milestones in the comics themselves, but the creators as well.  All of the writers, artists and editors from that period are vividly brought to life through biographies and interviews...and when I say "all", I mean ALL of them.  Editor Michael Eury has compiled an exhaustive number of articles and interviews covering virtually everyone who helped guide the Superman character for an entire generation.  Obviously, some of those folks merited more coverage than others (such as legendary editor Mort Weisinger, his successor Julius Schwartz, and long-time penciller Curt Swan), but everyone else gets at least a little time in the spotlight.

The icing on the cake is the generous amount artwork, photos and rare artifacts spread throughout the book, many of them seeing publication for the first time.  This rich imagery makes the already interesting interviews and articles all the more fascinating to read. 

True, the book is aimed squarely at rabid Superman fans (like me), but even the more casual fan...or people who too easily dismiss this particular era of Superman comics, would find it an informative and enlightening experience.  Even if you don't warm up to this unique chapter in Superman's long history, you'll definitely gain an appreciation of the many craftsmen, personalities, and market forces that shaped the character for so many years.

Yeah, I know....Christmas has left your wallet a little thin, but trust me...it's worth every penny and every minute of your time.

Click here to order The Krypton Companion from Amazon.com!