Why Comics

A New York Times Notable Book Filled with beautiful color art, dynamic storytelling, and insightful analysis, Hillary Chute reveals what makes one of the most critically acclaimed and popular art forms so unique and appealing, and how it got that way. “In her wonderful book, Hillary Chute suggests that we’re in a blooming, expanding era of the art… Chute’s often lovely, sensitive discussions of individual expression in independent comics seem so right and true.” — New York Times Book Review Over the past century, fans have elevated comics from the back pages of newspapers into one of our most celebrated forms of culture, from Fun Home, the Tony Award–winning musical based on Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking graphic memoir, to the dozens of superhero films that are annual blockbusters worldwide. What is the essence of comics’ appeal? What does this art form do that others can’t? Whether you’ve read every comic you can get your hands on or you’re just starting your journey, Why Comics? has something for you. Author Hillary Chute chronicles comics culture, explaining underground comics (also known as “comix”) and graphic novels, analyzing their evolution, and offering fascinating portraits of the creative men and women behind them. Chute reveals why these works—a blend of concise words and striking visuals—are an extraordinarily powerful form of expression that stimulates us intellectually and emotionally. Focusing on ten major themes—disaster, superheroes, sex, the suburbs, cities, punk, illness and disability, girls, war, and queerness—Chute explains how comics get their messages across more effectively than any other form. “Why Disaster?” explores how comics are uniquely suited to convey the scale and disorientation of calamity, from Art Spiegelman’s representation of the Holocaust and 9/11 to Keiji Nakazawa’s focus on Hiroshima. “Why the Suburbs?” examines how the work of Chris Ware and Charles Burns illustrates the quiet joys and struggles of suburban existence; and “Why Punk?” delves into how comics inspire and reflect the punk movement’s DIY aesthetics—giving birth to a democratic medium increasingly embraced by some of today’s most significant artists. Featuring full-color reproductions of more than one hundred essential pages and panels, including some famous but never-before-reprinted images from comics legends, Why Comics? is an indispensable guide that offers a deep understanding of this influential art form and its masters.

Best-selling writer Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and acclaimed artist J.H. Williams III (SANDMAN: OVERTURE) reveal the shocking origin that set the foundation for one of the DC UniverseÕs most prominent lesbian characters in BATWOMAN BY GREG RUCKA AND J.H. WILLIAMS III. Determined to continue serving others after her military career was cut short by bigotry, Kate Kane has taken up the identity of Batwoman, leading a one-woman war on Gotham CityÕs evil underbelly. And at the heart of her investigation is the Religion of Crime, a criminal cult led by a madwoman known only as Alice. Speaking in riddles and storybook rhymes, the Lewis Carroll-inspired Alice aims to transform Gotham into her own twisted wonderland. But is everything Alice says truly mad? Underneath her deranged theatrics, she may hold the key to understanding BatwomanÕs pastÉ BATWOMAN BY GREG RUCKA AND J.H. WILLIAMS III is the visually stunning landmark series collected here in its entirety. Originally presented in DETECTIVE COMICS #854-863, this volume also includes the never-before-collected storyline ÒCutterÓ with guest artist Jock (THE LOSERS).

A stunning and timely creative call-to-arms combining four extraordinary written pieces by Neil Gaiman illustrated with the striking four-color artwork of Chris Riddell. “The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”—Neil Gaiman Drawn from Gaiman’s trove of published speeches, poems, and creative manifestos, Art Matters is an embodiment of this remarkable multi-media artist’s vision—an exploration of how reading, imagining, and creating can transform the world and our lives. Art Matters bring together four of Gaiman’s most beloved writings on creativity and artistry: “Credo,” his remarkably concise and relevant manifesto on free expression, first delivered in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings “Make Good Art,” his famous 2012 commencement address delivered at the Philadelphia University of the Arts “Making a Chair,” a poem about the joys of creating something, even when words won’t come “On Libraries,” an impassioned argument for libraries that illuminates their importance to our future and celebrates how they foster readers and daydreamers Featuring original illustrations by Gaiman’s longtime illustrator, Chris Riddell, Art Matters is a stirring testament to the freedom of ideas that inspires us to make art in the face of adversity, and dares us to choose to be bold.

The official behind-the-scenes companion book to Matt Reeves' The Batman The Art of The Batman is the official behind-the-scenes illustrated tie-in book to the highly-anticipated Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes) film, coming to theaters March 4, 2022. Set during Batman's second year as a crime fighter, this unique, noir-inspired take on the Dark Knight serves as a return to the character's roots and stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon, and Colin Farrell as The Penguin. Readers will get an insider's look at the film's production process through character designs, vehicle and gadget designs, and background paintings, alongside original commentary and interviews from the filmmakers, cast, production designer, and conceptual artists.

Considered by many to be the greatest run on Thor ever, Walt Simonson's classic tales of the God of Thunder are collected here - completely remastered from the original artwork and newly colored by Steve Oliff ! And there are too many timeless tales to count: The Casket of Ancient Winters! The death of Odin! The origins of Asgard! The sacrifice of the Executioner! Thor as a frog! The Mutant Massacre! The curse of Hela! The debut of Thor's body armor! Guest-starring Beta Ray Bill, Nick Fury and the Avengers! Featuring the threats of Fafnir the dragon, Loki, Lorelei, Malekith the Dark Elf, Surtur, Hela, the Titanium Man, Kurse, Zaniac, the Marauders, the Absorbing Man, Fin Fang Foom, the Destroyer and the Midgard Serpent! COLLECTING: THOR 337-355, 357-369, 371-382; BALDER THE BRAVE 1-4

Ask the most powerful beings in the galaxy how they fear the universe will end, and in their most honest moment, they will answer with two words: "Thanos wins." Now, that disturbing thought becomes a horrifi c reality! See what happens when the Mad Titan achieves his ultimate victory. Will he cause the cosmos to spiral downward into chaos and death...or will something very different happen? Plus, in the far future, an iconic and unexpected Marvel character has become - the Cosmic Ghost Rider! But following his experiences at the Titan's hands, what are his vengeful plans for...baby Thanos?! Donny Cates explores Thanos' full legacy in a thrill ride that spans all the way from the end of time to the stunning events of INFINITY WARS! COLLECTING: THANOS (2016) 13-18, ANNUAL; COSMIC GHOST RIDER 1-5, THANOS LEGACY 1

One of the deadliest villains in the DCU returns: Parallax! Things continue to twist and turn for John Stewart, Guy Gardner and Kilowog as they come face to face with their greatest enemy--the man who destroyed the Green Lanterns. Meanwhile, Green Arrow struggles to find a way to stop Parallax as the JLA, the JSA and the Teen Titans join the fight!

Sister Maria has recruited two horny drug-fueled weirdos to stop the apocalypse. Their names? Jesus and Satan. Can these biblical frenemies help this nun with a gun defeat an army of pissed off mythological gods? Only one thing's for sure -- it's gonna be a wild ride Collecting the controversially-contagious Holy F*ck #1-4.