The Slings And Arrows Comic Guide

Rating:
Summary: An inexpensive and indispensable reference tool
Review: I happened upon this British softcover in my local comics shop, and was extremely pleased with my discovery. In a lot of ways it's as informative and witty as Robert Christgau's similar music "guides," compiled from his work for the NY Village Voice. The sheer volume of printed material covered by the various reviewers is astounding. I should mention that even though this book originated in the U.K., you'll still find listings for obscure American underground comics: no title is too small to merit a mention.

Listings are alphabetical, generally by the name of the starring character or comic title. Many titles are given a thorough analysis, including the histories of relevant characters and the evolution of specific plotlines. The guide also suggests notable issues for collectors, and lists various collections and/or reprints that appear in separate volumes. While it's obvious to this reader that S&A's reviewers all love comics and aren't afraid to gush the occasional superlative, they are also refreshingly candid when reviewing subpar material. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments just flipping through the book at random.

Though this edition will soon be revised (or so I hear) to include more recent comics, I can heartily recommend this guide to comic fans who appreciate the medium as much as their favorite characters. For readers who have pondered collecting comic titles in the periphery of their usual reading material, this book is a great resource for picking and choosing. Last but not least, it's a great book to have at the ready when you have a little time to indulge yourself in the history of comics.

J

Rating:
Summary: An inexpensive and indispensable reference tool
Review: I happened upon this British softcover in my local comics shop, and was extremely pleased with my discovery. In a lot of ways it's as informative and witty as Robert Christgau's similar music "guides," compiled from his work for the NY Village Voice. The sheer volume of printed material covered by the various reviewers is astounding. I should mention that even though this book originated in the U.K., you'll still find listings for obscure American underground comics: no title is too small to merit a mention.

Listings are alphabetical, generally by the name of the starring character or comic title. Many titles are given a thorough analysis, including the histories of relevant characters and the evolution of specific plotlines. The guide also suggests notable issues for collectors, and lists various collections and/or reprints that appear in separate volumes. While it's obvious to this reader that S&A's reviewers all love comics and aren't afraid to gush the occasional superlative, they are also refreshingly candid when reviewing subpar material. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments just flipping through the book at random.

Though this edition will soon be revised (or so I hear) to include more recent comics, I can heartily recommend this guide to comic fans who appreciate the medium as much as their favorite characters. For readers who have pondered collecting comic titles in the periphery of their usual reading material, this book is a great resource for picking and choosing. Last but not least, it's a great book to have at the ready when you have a little time to indulge yourself in the history of comics.

J

Rating:
Summary: A must for geeks like you and me !!!
Review: If you're a comic fan, this book is an unbelieveable reference. It's not a book for people buying comics like they were stocks in the faint hopes of trading them in for riches afterwards, WIZARD-ites out there will be SADLY dissapointed if that's what they're looking for. You want an amazing overview of comics from the 40's to ( around ) 1995, entertaining and insightful commentary and views, this is the book for you. A must-have for any collector, or anyone into popular culture. Hoping for a sequel as my copy is dog-eared by this point.

Rating:
Summary: Comic junkies - here's your FIX......
Review: If you're not a comics fan- this book will essentially be USELESS for you - but if you are a fan, it will be an invaluable to your collection. Brief reviews cover most of the mainstream comic series put out since the late 30's/early 40's - with particular emphasis covering stuff released in the 80's and early 90's. Brief and entertaining reviews cover the high points and low points of many series - along with recommended issues and creators involved. Reviews are not always positive, but always entertaining ( though I still disagree with their review of Warren Ellis' work on HELLSTORM, but I digress ).
If I had ONE complaint, is that the book covers only up until 1995 for most series released - so an update - which apparently is coming in next year or so- is much needed. Even so - it's still an awesome resource to have.

Rating:
Summary: Your Mind Will Race and Your Fingers Will Dash
Review: Yes there is a second edition of this book out there, but you know what, maybe it is nostalgia or the great Frank Quietly cover that makes me like this one a wee bit more.

You will sit there looking at one title and wonder is it there and Bam! there it is. You will challenge yourself to find titles that are not listed. There is a broad range of titles, from golden age to the modern age. Undergrounds, mainstreams, eighties independent movement and implosion are all covered with equal loving care.

Are the reviewers opionated. Darn straight they are but that is what makes this book so much fun. It seems that they really read through all the stuff that they reviewed. Pity the one who had the long run on let's say Action Comics. Yow! My mind might be putty.

Great for helping you catch up on a title you used to follow.

Obscure enough that you can buy it as a gift for the comic fan in your life and they most likely won't have it up on their bookshelf.

My verdict: There is nothing wrong with the 2nd Edition of this guide but if you can score the first cheap why the heck not?