Although not as comprehensive as its title would suggest, Brian Solomon's "Superheroes!: The History of a Pop-Culture Phenomenon from Ant-Man to Zorro" provides a solid and well researched treatment of the world of capes and secret identities. Starting with antecedents in mythology the book proceeds to chronicle the development of superheroes from nineteenth century adventure novels to twentieth century pulps, though the golden, silver, bronze and finally modern ages.. The book also moves beyond printed media and provides good coverage of developments on both the big and small screens. Not surprisingly, the book focuses primarily on characters owned by DC and Marvel but it does cover some of the better known independent characters. In any case, it does show the deep impact that superheroes have had on modern culture in a way that should be rewarding and interesting for both the uninitiated and seasoned fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Rowman & Littlefield for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Superheroes! is an interesting read. I enjoyed the subdivision of heroes, and the explanation into how characters can overlap and blend within these subdivisions. I was also glad that Solomon didn't skip over the fact that superheroes aren't a new idea but are something, albeit a different iteration, that humans have created since our inception, which was discussed within the context of ancient mythologies. Solomon's remaining chapters evaluate different time periods in the twentieth century from classics such as Zorro through to what we know of now as comic pop culture. Each chapter is concluded with a more in-depth examination of characters Solomon has dubbed "Icons."
Solomon's passion for the subject is clear, and he Solomon clearly achieves his thesis. While heavily Western-centric, this is still an informative and enjoyable read.
Fans of history, the superhero genre, pop-culture exploration, and many others can find something great with the pages of Superheroes!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Rowman & Littlefield for an advanced copy of this history of comics, its characters and creators, and the influence of comics on pop culture.

Comic books until recently was not a very welcoming place for new people, even with the advent of Marvel movies and all the billions of people who suddenly thought, hey costume guys and CGI are cool. Movies are different than the comics which have a almost hundred year history, which can be both good and bad for new readers, old readers, creators and filmmakers. In the older days buying comics meant sometimes going down few steps physically, and sometimes socially to small stores with lots of boxes of back issues of comics and other paraphernalia. Not only are women new in comic stores, but so are the rise in graphic novels which present the full story of many major comic events. However one can get a Batman that is Silver Age, Batman 1967, Post-Crisis, Pre-New 52, with many characters dead, alive, or dead again. This makes it hard for new fans to just hop in as many cinematic universes are different than long standing comic stories. Brian R. Solomon has a familiarity with explaining the inner world of professional wrestling, another media that has feuds, longstanding history, generational heroes fighting generational villains, and its own special lingo. Solomon brings this skill to comics and in Superheroes!: The History of a Pop-Culture Phenomenon from Ant-Man to Zorro has written a primer to understanding the world of comic book characters, from the beginning to the present day.

The book begins with a great introduction from Paul Kupperburg, a comics author I have read for years, who wrote many of my favorite titles. From there readers are introduced to the idea of superheroes and what it means, something that comic writers from Stan Lee to Frank Miller and Grant Morrison have struggled to define. Readers learn of the myths and the feats of gods from ancient times, many of these Gods like Hercules, Ares, and of course Thor have appeared in modern comics. Pulp novels and heroes are described and early funny comics, until we get to the Man of Steel Superman, who really got the whole costume superhero started. From there we learn a little about Timely Comics, the precursor to Marvel, various radio shows, movie serials, and the Superman Fleisher cartoons, cartoons that really amaze even today.

Solomon is very good at gathering a lot of different informtion, from a number of different companies and telling a history of a medium that has ebbed and flowed quite a bit. For a lot of comic readers there might not be a lot new, but since I have been reading comics since my grandmother bought them for me at the corner candy store, I'm old so I know a lot. For people who don't know Golden Age from post-Crisis, or the rich history of Captain Marvel this would be a great place to start. Solomon is a very good writer, one who likes the material and readers can tell this. Events are explained both in the comic and the sometimes mean world of the comic industry, clearly, and in a way that makes sense. The layout of the book is quite good with a lot of sidebars that share information about other aspects that might not fit with the theme of the chapter. A really good guide to the medium.

Brian R. Solomon is a writer I have followed mostly for his biographies and studies on professional wrestling, which I have enjoyed quite a lot. Also Solomon has a podcast, also on wrestling, that is quite good too. I did not know that he enjoyed comics, but it should come as no surprise. This is a really good book for jaded fans like myself and newbies who might have found an interest in the characters from Disney+. A great gift for people who want to know more. I can't wait to see what Solomon has planned next.

Really enjoyed this work. Very timely given the current popularity of comics and graphic novels. I will definitely be having my library order this book!