British Comics: A Cultural History

(Paperback)

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Description

British Comics is a unique cultural history of British comic papers and magazines, from their origins in the late nineteenth century to the present day. It shows how comics were transformed in the early twentieth century from adult amusement to imaginative reading matter for children, and relates the rise of the major comic publishers. It explains what children and adults thought of their comics and why some titles prospered while others failed. Ultimately, the book argues that British comics are a distinctive kind of publishing that is different from (and certainly not inferior to) American, French and Japanese comics.

Reviews

'an invaluable resource for even the most laissez-faire of fans.'Seven Magazine, Sunday Telegraph; 'Chapmans British Comics does an excellent job of condensing the rich story of comics in the UK into a very readable narrative, exploring their long history and celebrating recent successes. Chapman provides exactly what the title promises. The book is hugely informative and engaging, focusing on how comics can provide insights into society and often mirror political events . . . there is for the general reader much here that will surprise and delight.'History Today; '[a] cogent and enjoyable new study . . . Chapman proves to be an enthusiastic guide.'TLS; 'This is a book that reminds us of the fantasy worlds we have lived in, and analyses the appeal and structure of those worlds. Only those who enjoy popular culture can write about it well, and British Comics is a book in which not only is a genre analysed with expertise but enthusiasm is recollected.'Times Higher Education; 'James Chapman has penned the first truly scholarly survey of the origins and development of comics in Britain . . . a solidly researched piece of cultural history'The Comics Journal; 'Chapman takes a broad approach but offers specific examples . . . Popping up along the way are issues such as race, gender, censorship, the Cold War. Quotes, anecdotes and gems of knowledge add spice to an already facile reading. This superb, well-researched, well-thought-out volume deserves to be read by comics scholars and enthusiasts alike. Highly recommended.'Choice;'Chapmans analysis of key characters such as Dan Dare in their various incarnations is absorbing. Even when discussing well known characters, this book is full of interesting titbits . . . Chapmans attempt to situate both creators and product in relation to social history is fascinating . . . its lively and interesting style makes it more than suited to the active fan and those nostalgic for the comics of their youth.'Eye;'a valuable contribution to British comics history'Comicbitsonline;'a well-written, well researched book, which is attractive and quite enjoyable to read.'Cercles;'The British comic industry and tradition, often overshadowed by the American one, gets an interesting and important treatment in this book, which traces the history of British comics over the past two centuries in relation to economics and class, gender, war, technology, and the vagaries of the publishing business and popular taste.'Anthropology Review Database

Author Bio

James Chapman is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Leicester. His previous books include The British at War: Cinema, State and Propaganda, 1939-1945 (1998), Licence To Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films (1999), Cinemas of the World: Film and Society from 1895 to the Present (Reaktion Books, 2003) and War and Film (Reaktion Books, 2008).