Venus Vol. 2 (The Fantagraphics Atlas Comics Library)
Venus Vol. 2 (The Fantagraphics Atlas Comics Library)
The Goddess of Love…and SF horror: The eagerly anticipated single volume collecting the 10 rare issues of the overstuffed Venus comics!
In the late 1940s, the first half of the Venus series from Marvel Comics predecessors Timely and Atlas Comics was published as a lighthearted romance comic about the goddess Venus taking a job on Earth at a beauty magazine. Never a company to miss a trend, Atlas began introducing more science fiction elements in the 1950s, and eventually turned Venus’ dating adventures into a straight-out horror anthology.
Collected here, 70 years later and for the first time ever, is that swift-changing second half of the 19-issue run. Future Marvel stars Bill Everett (seven issues) and Werner Roth (three issues) take Venus to heights of four-color weirdness and pre-Code horror ghastliness. Everett in particular is given free rein and seizes the opportunity: writing, drawing, and lettering twenty ghoulish and goofy masterpieces, including classics like "Hangman's House," "The Day Venus Vanished," "The House of Terror," "The Sealed Spectors," Tidal Wave of Terror," and the phantasmagorical "Cartoonist's Calamity!" These stories showcase the brilliant draftsmanship and storytelling of Everett, one of the giants of the 1940s and '50's comic book industry. His slick, fluid line rendered at Timely/Atlas, from his seminal god-child Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, to the atomic age Marvel Boy, is some of the finest pre-Code horror this side of E.C.'s Graham Ingels.
Series editor Dr. Michael J. Vassallo assisted in the compilation of the first volume of Venus for Marvel 13 years ago, and Fantagraphics is delighted to publish the horror half as the second title in The Fantagraphics Atlas Comics Library.
Full-color illustrations throughout
Review
― Cinema Sentries
About the Author
Dr. Michael J. Vassallo is a noted historian on Marvel's early pulp, Timely and Atlas periods. A Manhattan dentist, he spends his free time attempting to bring recognition to artistic creators of the 1940's and 1950's. He has also written introductions to 20 Timely and Atlas Masterworks volumes, dissecting the credits for posterity and providing historical context, as well as writing the detailed captions to the first 210 pages of Taschen's 75 Years of Marvel coffee table book. He lives in Westchester County, New York.
- Publisher : Fantagraphics; 1st edition (April 16, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 310 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1683969197
- ISBN-13 : 978-1683969198
- Item Weight : 3.25 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.8 x 1.2 x 11.7 inches
Comic Book Grades Explained
Comic book grading is based on a score out of 10:
- 0-1.5 = poor to good minus
- 2.0-3.5 = fair to very good minus
- 4.0-5.5 = very good to fine minus
- 6.0-7.5 = fine to very fine minus
- 8.0 = very fine
- 8.5 = very fine plus
- 9.0 = very fine/near mint
- 9.2 = near mint minus
- 9.4 = near mint
- 9.6 = near mint plus
- 9.8 = near mint to mint
- 9.9 = mint
- 10.0 = gem mint
Grading & Packing We take pride in our accurate, consistent grading. You can be confident in receiving a well-graded comic when ordering from us. We understand that condition is important to collectors. We pack your comics with professional care and high-quality packaging to insure your purchase reaches you safely.
All Collectibles are sold as is at BigGreenBear.com. Returns are only accepted on the rare occasion the item is not as described. If you are making a return, please initiate the return process through BigGreenBear.com
Prior to listing, our expert team carefully assessed this item to represent it accurately.