FOOTBALL'S COMIC BOOK HEROES: Celebrating the Greatest British Football Comics of the Twentieth Century

Adam Riches; Tim Parker; Robert Frankland

ISBN 10: 184596408X / ISBN 13: 9781845964085

Published by Mainstream Publishing, Ediinburgh, 2009

About this Item

This mint copy is bound in illustrated laminated boards, the unclipped dust wrapper is a trifle crimped, it has now been covered in clear, removable, archival, protective film. The text block is unmarked, tight, white, bright and square. International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. Where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased charges will be quoted. Ever since comics for boys were first published in the late 19th century, they have offered their readers fun, adventure, and escapism. As participation and attendance at sports events rose dramatically during the first half of the 20th century, boys comics began to regularly feature sportsmen of all types, and soccer players became the ultimate favorite. The introduction of soccer comics presented in a cartoon-strip format became immensely popular during the 1960s, with Rover, Hotspur, and Wizard among the top titles. Although these comics are no longer in circulation, there is still a significant level of interest, and the culture of the comic-book hero continues. Renowned publisher D.C. Thomson has delved into its archives to produce the definitive document of the most legendary soccer playing characters to grace the pages of comics, including such favourites as Limp Along Leslie, Roy Race, Billy Dane, and Hotshot Hamish. Extensively researched to cover the history and the storylines associated with these comics and their heroes, this is a unique, nostalgic account of the soccer comic book phenomenon that will jog the memories of older readers and introduce the magic of these imaginary sporting stars to a new generation. Ref GGG1. Seller Inventory # 021432

Bibliographic Details

Title: FOOTBALL'S COMIC BOOK HEROES: Celebrating ...

Publisher: Mainstream Publishing, Ediinburgh

Publication Date: 2009

Binding: Hardback

Condition: Mint

Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus

Edition: First Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

Ever since boys' comics were first published in the middle years of the nineteenth century, they have offered readers fun, adventure and escapism. As participation and attendance at sports events rose dramatically in the early years of the twentieth century, so boys' comics focused more and more on sportsmen, with footballers becoming the ultimate favourites.

Millions of boys' comics were sold in the 'golden age' in the 1920s and '30s. The introduction of football stories in cartoon-strip format proved immensely popular, and during the 1950s and '60s comics enjoyed a renaissance, with The Rover, Tiger and The Hotspur among the top titles. The 1970s saw the launch of dedicated football comics such as Scorcher and Score 'n' Roar. Within the pages of these titles, legends were born, but for every 'Hot Shot' Hamish there were dozens of other footballing heroes, and this book tells their stories, too.

Although these comics are no longer in circulation, they still generate a huge level of interest among boys and men of all ages, and the culture of the comic book hero continues. Using the archives of publishers DC Thomson and Co. Limited, IPC Media Limited and Egmont UK Limited, the authors have produced a definitive history of the comic book footballer. This unique and nostalgic account of the football comic book phenomenon will jog the memories of older readers and introduce the magic of these imaginary sporting stars to a whole new generation.

Review:

"This lavishly illustrated paean to the genre will delight devotees (Book of the Week)" (Simon Redfern Independent on Sunday)

"If you need a book on football comics, this is the one to have" (When Saturday Comes)

"Sheds light on a largely forgotten but still strangely edifying genre" (ShortList)

"Excellent" (Sport Magazine)

"A pictorial romp . . . Nintendo and the rest will never be as much fun as this lot" (philosophyfootball.com)