Publisher: McFarland
Release Date: March 2016
Price: $35.00
Editors: Matthew McEniry, Robert Peaslee, and Robert G. Weiner
Format: 280 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-78644-304-8
Age Rating: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5
This book is a collection of essays on different aspects of the Marvel film experience, from the early Captain America serial to the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe. It includes some surprising side trips into the various attempts along the way, including the various Marvel animated productions and the lower-budget Marvel films of the past few decades, few of which were successful.
In that light, this is a wonderful source of information on the various ways in which Marvel attempted to convert its comics into films. There is also interesting history of some of the licensed products, such as Transformers and G.I. Joe, in which the Marvel animations helped shape the popular view of what started out as just another line of toys.
The only weakness of the book is that a few of the essayists are narrowly focused on presenting their own beefs with the industry, or with the execution of specific projects. This hurts a few of the essays, such as ones on Elektra and Howard the Duck.
Still, the debatable arguments in some of the essays are just that, and are excellent starting points for discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the various film projects.
This book belongs in every library that has a strong film collection, and in the hands of every serious film student. Serious fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will also find it well worth reading.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
