Tops: The Complete Collection of Charles Biro's Visionary 1949 Comic Book Series
Charles Biro / Michael T. Gilbert
Language: English
Published by Fantagraphics, Seattle, 2022
Series: Book 1 of 1 - Tops
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Browsing Is Arousing, Middlebury, VT, U.S.A.Browsing Is Arousing
AbeBooks seller since March 22, 2026
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 38.96
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Hardcover, large format pictorial boards, 200 pages. In 1949, the ambitious Charles Biro ? who had previously co-created the realistically brutal comic Crime Does Not Pay ? edited and wrote an oversized comic aimed at adults, called Tops. Like several other radical adult comics projects that would follow, it proved to be a commercial failure and lasted only two Life magazine-sized issues. The original comics have since become a legendary holy grail among comics fans and historians, fetching as much as $6,000 on the collector's market: written about but rarely seen and never reprinted. Until now.Fantagraphics' Tops collects both issues of these oversized experimental comics in their entirety. Some of the best craftsmen working in comics at that time drew these pulpy, sexy, and melodramatic stories: Dan Barry, George Tuska, and others. It includes two stunning pre-EC crime tales illustrated by Reed Crandall, reminiscent of his Crime SuspenStories work. Actor Melvyn Douglas (believe it or not) takes the reader on a tour of utopia, entitled "How Would You Live Under A World Government?" ? a positive spin on global Socialism! A treasure trove of fascinating and revelatory comics history for scholars and fans, this compilation includes an introduction by the editor, the historian and cartoonist Michael T. Gilbert, as well as several other essays providing background on the creation of the series and the publisher, editors, and cartoonists who realized it. It includes a chronicle in essay form of experimental, adult comics endeavors throughout the first half of the 20th century. Tops is a landmark work of historical importance and a mind-boggling reading experience from a bygone era meticulously restored and reproduced in a deluxe hardcover in its originally published dimensions. Full-color illustrations throughout. Record # 374981.…
Seller Inventory # 374981
- Title
- Tops: The Complete Collection of Charles Biro's Visionary 1949 Comic Book Series
- Author
- Charles Biro / Michael T. Gilbert
- Publisher
- Fantagraphics, Seattle
- Publication year
- 2022
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1683964640
- ISBN 13
- 9781683964643
- Series
- Book 1 of 1: Tops
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Michael T. Gilbert has been a professional cartoonist since 1973, writing and drawing characters as diverse as Superman and Spongebob Squarepants. Gilbert's signature character remains his creature fighting hero, Mr. Monster, which he created in 1983. Additionally, Michael has written a comic history column for Roy Thomas's Alter Ego magazine since 1998, and has edited Dark Horse's 2014 The Secret Files of Dr. Drew reprint volume.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Browsing Is Arousing
Middlebury, VT, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since March 22, 2026
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Browsing Is Arousing
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