Comic books have captivated readers since the Famous Funnies of the 1930s, and have remained popular ever since, even through the censorious 1950s, when they were considered to be, corrupting the nation's youth. But with the advent of the graphic novel in the late 1970s---such as Will Eisner's early classic, A Contract with God---this form of reading entertainment truly came of age as a revealing literature of our culture. Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels serves as an exhaustive exploration of the genre's history, its landmark creators and creations, and its profound influence on American life and culture.<BR><BR>Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels focuses on English-language comics---plus a small selection of influential Japanese and European works available in English---with special emphasis on the new graphic novel format that emerged in the 1970s. Entries cover influential comic artists and writers such as Will Eisner, Alan Moore, and Grant Morrison; major genres and themes; and specific characters, comic book imprints, and landmark titles, including the pulp noir 100 Bullets, the post-apocalyptic Y: The Last Man, the revisionist superhero drama identity crisis, and more. Key franchises such as Superman and Batman are the center of a constellation of related entries that include graphic novels and other imprints featuring the same characters or material.