The Clash over "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"

Mark Judge just gets me.

Video Read-Through of the Book

Did your comic-book store get copies of the book yesterday? Some did, and some of you are waiting until Amazon.com ships on November 16.

But if you want a quick video read-through of the book, check out the book's YouTube page. You can also see a ten-part video series on the making of the book, plus more exclusive video content, such as "The Martin Goodman Exhibit" and footage of the New York City Book Release Event on October 12, 2013.

There's a number of avenues where you can grab a sneak peek of the book:
1) 23-page .pdf excerpt, including the introduction and first chapter.

2) Flickr Photo Album, with numerous still shots of the book.

3) "Secret History of Marvel Comics" Facebook Page, with exclusive content.

4) Fantagraphics Home Page for the book. 

Talkin' with Al Jaffee in NYC

Artist Al Jaffee began drawing for comics as far back as 1941, long before his legendary contributions to Mad Magazine, which included his signature Mad Fold-In back covers, and Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.

He began working for Stan Lee at Marvel Comics (then known as Timely Comics) on the funny animal strips, like Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal, and finished his run there in the mid 1950s as the long-running artist on the Patsy Walker book. (Click on the image to your left to enlarge it.)

We were thrilled to have him join us for the book's release event last Saturday, and it was even more fascinating, at the dinner beforehand, to listen to him regale us with stories about his earliest days in comics.

Here's eight minutes of Al talking about: Will Eisner, Marvel/Timely Comics, Chad Grothkopf, Stan Lee, Syd Shores, bigfoot cartooning, Bonnie & Clyde, Mike Sekowsky and Steve Ditko needing Photoshop...

Walkin' with Al Jaffee in NYC

We were be joined by famed artists Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg at our New York City event last Saturday. Both Jaffee and Goldberg worked in Marvel Comics owner Martin Goodman's other publications. They joined us on stage to discuss their memories of working for Goodman during the halcyon days of Marvel Comics in the 1940s and 50s.

Jaffee started with Marvel on strips like "Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal" (click on the image to your left) - indeed, quite a few funny animal books - in the 1940s. He finished his time there in the 1950s on humor and teen books, like Patsy Walker, before becoming a staple at Mad Magazine.

We were very blessed to have both gentlemen with us. The whole day was a blast, just walkin' the streets of New York City with Al Jaffee...

Video of "The Martin Goodman Exhibit"

Thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday to the book's release event in New York City at the Society of Illustrators. It was great to see industry stalwarts like as Paul Levitz (going strong after transitioning from D.C. Comics head honcho), Jon B. Cooke (editor of Comic Book Creator), and Cory Sedlmeier (thrilled by the news of his involvement in Marvel's Miracleman reprints and new material by Neil Gaiman).

We were also blessed to have Nancy Shores Karlebach with us. Her father is the late Syd Shores, featured so prominently in the book. He was the Captain America artist during WWII, and ran the last, true Marvel Bullpen in the late 1940s.

We'll talk more tomorrow about our other featured guests (Mr. Al Jaffee and Stan Goldberg) but, for now, we want to share with you one of the unique aspects of the event that we're sorry you missed. It's "The Martin Goodman Exhibit" and features many of the publications in the book. Michael narrates in the video through the 1930s to the 1950s, showing off various pulps, magazines, bed sheets, digests and so many more formats, all from his collection. Covers feature such prominent pop culture figures such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Gleason and, of course, Stan Lee, but see for yourself...

9th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

2nd last video on the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 9, they discuss their favorite memories of putting the book together, and acknowledge each others' unique contributions. (And look who just laid their hands on a copy of the book for the first time today! Michael wins that race, but Blake will grab the podium on Friday when he arrives in New York City!)

8th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day on the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 8, they discuss the bare-knuckle, drop 'em fist fights while arguing over what was going to go into the book, and how they had to strangle the page count down to 304 pages.

7th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day on the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 7, they discuss the surprises found when uncovering the artists who moonlighted for Martin Goodman's other publishing endeavours; strange and fascinating material by Marvel legends, Jack Kirby, Alex Schomburg, and Bill Everett.

6th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day on the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 6, they discuss the 72-hour "Scanning Marathon" Weekend that brought to light a million more surprises...and how they figured out how to cram as much as they could into 304 pages.

5th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day on the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 5, they discuss the multitude of the moonlighting artists who worked for Marvel Comics in its earliest days, and in owner Martin Goodman's other publishing endeavors, like his pulps and magazines.

4th Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day in the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave).

In Part 4 of 10, they discuss some of the specifics about owner Martin Goodman's business practices - e.g., shell companies and flooding the market - that began in the businesses that preceded the birth of Marvel Comics.

3rd Video in "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day in the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave)

In Part 3 of 10, they speak about researching the book, separating fact from fiction, so that you have the most accurate history of the origins of Marvel Comics to date. Myth-blowing!

2nd Video for "The Making Of..." Series on YouTube

Over the next week, a new video will be posted every day in the book's new YouTube channel featuring the authors, Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". It all leads up to the Official Book Release Event in New York City on the night of Saturday, October 12 at 7pm, hosted by the Society Of Illustrators (at 128 E 63rd St., between Park & Lexington Ave)

In Part 2 of 10, they break down how the book is structured, and what each of its three sections has to offer. (Did they mention that it was "lavish?")

10-Part "Making Of" Video Series on YouTube

Want the real secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics"? Check out the book's new YouTube Channel, because today sees the debut of a 10-Part "Making Of" video series. For the next nine days, a new video will be posted featuring authors Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo discussing the secrets behind "The Secret History Of Marvel Comics". (Day 9 includes Part 10 - the Gag Reel!)

Part 1 sees Blake and Michael reminiscing on how the concept of the book came to be. Come back tomorrow when they break down the different sections in the book.