Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC – Reed Tucker, De Capo Press, 2017 hardcover
I posted about this one a few weeks ago, now I’ve finished reading it.
To get up to speed, read that earlier post (HERE).
I started getting interested in comics, as an adult, after reading some reviews and discovering a good comics shop not to far from where I lived. I started going there to visit, browse, buy something now and then. So, between reading some comics as a kid and then going to that shop, Comics, Tunes & Toys in Tustin, CA, I had a certain awareness of what was being published by the big two as well as the independents.
Thus there was a lot here I didn’t know a thing about, and since I am interested in the subject, I found the book very interesting.
Thought the battle between two large companies in one industry is enlightening, I’d say this is for those who are interested in comics. If you haven’t picked up a comic book since you were 8 years old, and that was when you were reading Little Lulu, then you can skip this. But if you followed the DC and Marvel characters in their adventures, bought the comics comprising the various big events and crossovers, then this is for you.
Have you read this book? What are you reading?
Tip the Wink 
This week I read two excellent novels: Dry County by Jake Hinkson, a hillbilly noir and the latest Michael Connelly’s The Night Fire. Also reading my first Terry Pratchett- Guards! Guards! which reminds me a lot of Monty Python and Trouble Boys a biography of the band The Replacements. Next up I have the new John Connelly coming from the library tomorrow.
I have little interest in comic books. I stopped reading them about the age of 10. I know they are much better done nowadays but I just don’t want to spend time with superheroes who just seem mostly silly to me especially since I can’t find enough time to read all the books I want to. I do occasionally read a graphic novel though.
It was the back-and-forth between Marvel and DC that I found interesting. I read some Pratchet a long time ago, but don’t remember much about it.
I am pretty sure I would enjoy reading this book but with so much to read right now, I will wait awhile before seeking a copy.
In the last week I finished THE HYPNOTIST by Lars Kepler (set in Sweden) and DEATH BEFORE BREAKFAST by Hugh Pentecost (the Pierre Chambrun series). I liked both of them, although THE HYPNOTIST was a violent thriller, and about 500 pages.
I am currently reading MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN by Lethem. Liking it a lot so far.
Tracy, I believe Lars Kepler was at Bouchercon.
I would love to see that author (or two authors?). I will be trying another book or two by them.
Barbara is planning on seeing the Motherless in Brooklyn movie this Friday.
That is why I am reading the book now, Rick. I probably would go to a theater to see it, but will want to see it when it is available on disc or streaming.
It does happify me to see Lethem’s novel in my supermarket….
We’re at the DFW Airport waiting for the flight home, so I don’t have my list handy. I did finish Dervla McTiernan’s second book, THE SCHOLAR, on the plane coming, and got to talk to her and tell her how much I like her books. Currently reading William Shaw’s THE BIRDWATCHER, very different from his 1960s series.
I have fond memories of Little Lulu. Not so much because I read the comic book when I was a kid but because years ago I picked up a complete set at a thrift store for five bucks and sold it on e-Bay for a thousand. I once had a very large comic book collection, including a lot of issues that are very valuable now; I sold it for a pittance over four decades ago to help pay for the birth of our first child. **sigh** (And count me among the many who would have been zillionaires if our mothers didn;t throw out our baseball cards and comics.)
Another quiet week of reading. I finish the latest charlie Parker by John Connolly, A BOOK OF BONES — as I mentioned earlier, it reads at a much slower pace that others in the series, focusing much of the novel on backstory and on a large cast of characters. Still, a darned good read. My FFB this week was John Blackburn’s first novel, A SCENT OF NEW-MOWN HAY, a late 50s British thriller/spy/catastrophe/sf book with a dash of horror thrown in. Definitely a book of its time but — like the Connolly — a darned good read.
I’m about three-quarters through LAND OF WOLVES, the latest Longmire book from Craig Johnson — also, good stuff. Reading Johnson makes me want to move to the high country in Wyoming, but then I regain my sanity after finishing each book.
It’s been pretty cool here this week which I suppose is sort of fitting because I consider myself a real cool cat. And, as one cool cat to another, I hope you have a great week!
That’s quite a turnover on the comics, Jerry. I’m a couple behind on the Longmire books, Barbara is waiting for Wolves to come from the library. It’s been cool here too, not rising about 40 or so.
Can’t decide whether to read the new Russo or Sallis. Russo is very long so probably Sallis.
I liked the Sallis I’ve read, the first three or so, but that was a while ago now. Glad you had a good time in Dallas.
I just finished reading a Jack Reacher novel from 2014. Perfect Airport reading! I bought a few books at BOUCHERCON, picked up some free books, and wanted to visit some local Dallas bookstores but time ran out.
Next time maybe you’ll go an extra day earlier.