In their heyday, the top American comic books sold over 60 million copies a month! Today, collecting comics is still a hobby enjoyed by many. In The Classic Era of American Comics (October 2013, $24.95, Carlton Books) author Nicky Wright takes us from the 1930s into the 1950s, telling the fascinating story of the comic book – from its rise through its decline, due to the self-censorship imposed by Congress and churches.

Highly illustrated with a huge range of front covers, comic strips, and images of the characters, the book also covers the personalities who wrote, drew, and edited these classics. It’s a history that will enlighten newcomers, enthrall fans, and be as treasured as the best comics themselves!

Nicky Wright collected comics all his life and wrote for American Comic magazine. He was principally known as an award-winning writer and photographer of books on American cars. He lived for most of the last 15 years of his life in Michigan, but died in 2000 in England, the home of his birth.

Joe Kubert, who has written the foreword, started working in the comics business at age 11 and for the next 60 years produced stories about Hawkman, Tarzan, and Batman, as well as many other great comics. He was an editor for DC Comics for 25 years and founded the only school for comic artists. He received many honors including the 1998 Will Eisner Hall of Fame award. He died in August 2012.