Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Evolution of the American Comic Book
1. The Early Industrial Age I: Pulp Logic and the Rise of the American Comic Book 
2. The Early Industrial Age II: The Crusade Against Comic Books and the End of the Comic Book Boom 
3. The Late Industrial Age: The Return of the Superhero and the First Comic Book Rebellion 
4. From the Late Industrial to the Heroic Age: Comic Book Fandom and the Mainstream Pulp Rebellion 
5. The Heroic Age II: Alternative Comics and a Rebellion from the Margins 
6. The Heroic Age III: New Movements, Winning Respect, and the Rise of the Graphic Novel 
Conclusion: The Development of an Art Form 
Notes 
Index

Promotional Information

From pulp comics to Maus, the story of the growth of comics in American culture

About the Author

Paul Lopes is Associate Professor of Sociology at Colgate University. He is the author of The Rise of a Jazz Art World.

Reviews

"[A] useful new interpretation of the history of comic books in America... [A] well-written book with clear explanations of complex ideas and events. Demanding Respect will be valuable for comics scholars looking for new interpretations of familiar stories as well as students and historians in search of a clear, concise yet rigorous introduction to the medium's history." American Studies "Demanding Respect is a solid, well-researched social history of the comic book in North America--detailed, thorough, and well-written. Theoretically sophisticated, it moves beyond the existing emphasis on fan culture to encompass the entire comic book art world. This is a valuable contribution to the literature on American popular culture." Laura Grindstaff, University of California, Davis "[Lopes] provides a persuasive, accessible framework for understanding the path that American comics have taken from early derision to the level of respectability that they enjoy today." - Library Journal, 15th May 09 "Mr. Lopes approaches this study [of comic books] as something worthy of a sociological effort... Lopes is at his best when he tries to tap into what kept this lowly form chugging along... Demanding Respect is an enjoyable, not too scholarly read." Washington Times, 7th June 2009 "A concise history of the American comic book industry from the 1930s to the present...this is a solid piece of work." -Journal of American History "The author's significant contribution is his analysis of the less-studied era from the 1980s onward... Lopes demonstrates the significance of the shift from mass-market comics of the 1930s-80s to the fanboy subculture that dominates today, as consumers started to clamor for more-complex storylines, follow creators rather than title characters, and demand 'respect' for the comics genre--as the book's title indicates... [T]his is a useful contribution to the field." -CHOICE "Lopes redefines the history of comics...drawing attention to a crucial shift in the history of comics from the rule of mass production to the championing of artistic integrity so familiar to their current, broader fan base... Also intriguing is Lopes's comprehensive lens for studying the complex history of comics in the United States... Particularly fascinating is the ongoing discussion of material production...Lopes's most useful analysis asks not whether comics will gain 'respect,' but whether they will be able to maintain the mainstream artistic integrity of the 'heroic' age... Lopes's exhaustive research has provided a respectable foundation for future analysis." Safundi: The Journal of South African and American Studies, Vol 12 Issue 1 2011