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La Lucha: The Story of Lucha Castro and Human Rights in Mexico

A front-line human rights defender fighting murderous impunity in the Mexican borderlands The Mexican border state of Chihuahua and its city Juárez have become notorious the world over as hotbeds of violence. Drug cartel battles and official corruption result in more murders annually in Chihuahua than in wartorn Afghanistan. Thanks to a culture of impunity, 97 percent of …

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Comic Book History of Comics

For the first time ever, the inspiring, infuriating, and utterly insane story of comics, graphic novels, and manga is presented in comic book form! The award-winning Action Philosophers team of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey turn their irreverent-but-accurate eye to the stories of Jack Kirby, R. Crumb, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore, Stan Lee, Will Eisner, Fredric Wertham, …

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Enter the Superheroes: American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature

Ever since the first appearances of Superman and Batman in comic books of the late 1930s, superheroes have been a staple of the popular culture landscape. Though initially created for younger audiences, superhero characters have evolved over the years, becoming complex figures that appeal to more sophisticated readers. While superhero stories have grown ever more popular within broader …

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The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

The 9/11 Report for Every AmericanOn December 5, 2005, the 9/11 Commission issued its final report card on the government’s fulfillment of the recommendations issued in July 2004: one A, twelve Bs, nine Cs, twelve Ds, three Fs, and four incompletes. Here is stunning evidence that Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón, with more than sixty years of experience …

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The Walking Dead Psychology: Psych of the Living Dead

Aim for the brain!The characters of The Walking Dead live in a desolate post-apocalyptic world, filled with relentless violence and death. In reality, how would such never-ending trauma affect the psyche? By understanding the psychological forces that drive the series’ action, fans can better grasp this compelling fictional universe. Which characters suffer PTSD and is there hope for them? Is …

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The Physics of Superheroes: Spectacular Second Edition

A complete update to the hit book on the real physics at work in comic books, featuring more heroes, more villains, and more science Since 2001, James Kakalios has taught “Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books,” a hugely popular university course that generated coast-to-coast media attention for its unique method of explaining …

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Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight

A journey behind the mask and into the mind of Gotham City’s Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight who inspires fear in evildoers everywhere Batman is one of the most compelling and enduring characters to come from the Golden Age of Comics, and interest in his story has only increased through countless incarnations since his first appearance in Detective …

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Monster Mash: The Creepy, Kooky Monster Craze In America 1957-1972

Time-trip back to the frightening era of 1957-1972, when monsters stomped into the American mainstream! Once Frankenstein and fiends infiltrated TV in 1957, an avalanche of monster magazines, toys, games, trading cards, and comic books crashed upon an unsuspecting public. This profusely illustrated, full-color hardcover covers that creepy, kooky Monster Craze through features on Famous Monsters of Filmland …

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Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel: Everything You Need to Know to Create Great Work and Get It Published

Graphic novels are big business nowadays, and creating a well-executed graphic novel can be a big step to a rewarding career. This brand-new book gives detailed instruction in all aspects of graphic novel composition–creating characters and plots, and transforming them into dynamic illustrations that tell an interesting story. The introduction describes uses of tools of the trade, from …

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