Reading Comics would be a great book for people with a basic curiosity of the medium, but it’s also sidelined by the insularity of comics fans: it’s mostly going to be read by people who already have an interest in them. Which isn’t a bad thing, because although Douglas Wolk would hope to appeal to the “curious newcomer”, the topics covered inside should also help the “hardcore fan”. (Both terms are used on the inner lining of the dust jacket.)

Wolk is clever, sometimes self-awarely so, but presents the material clearly and in an engaging manner. He starts out with a very cursory history of the medium and talks a little about superhero comics, which are often maligned in books on comics criticism – sometimes for good reason. But the last three-fifths of the book are essays about different creators. Some are “indie” writer/cartoonists (Chris Ware, Dave Sim), and some are superhero writers (Alan Moore) and cartoonists (Steve Ditko). He covers the spectrum from pop trash (Marvel’s 70s horror book Tomb of Dracula) and the highly-regarded (Maus and Fun Home). He doesn’t cover EVERYTHING any particular reader would like, but there’s no way he could. He picks and chooses his own favourites, so there’s no way you could find serious fault by him not choosing chapters that feature, say, Jack Kirby, Carl Barks, or R. Crumb. The great thing about the book is that it encompasses so many creators that most readers wouldn’t know about all of them. So it helps break down barriers between the superhero fans and the indie fans, trying to make comics a little less insular. And if a few people from outside the comics bubble read the book and get interested, all the better. A good book for the comics neophyte, who might never read it, and a great book for the comics fan, who likely doesn’t need the reccommendation.