DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's Pulp Comics by Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson; ISBN 978-1-61345-164-9; $60; Deluxe hardcover with printed laminated cover; historical essay and documentary materials; reprints pulps from National Allied Publications; 7.75x10.25; all color

Before Batman and Superman were even a glimmer in Bill Finger and Jerry Siegel’s eyes, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson created National Allied Publications, which would then go on to become DC Comics; one of the largest comic publishers in the world.

Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson (the Major’s granddaughter and noted comics historian) will contribute a historical essay that provides an in depth look at the formation of National Allied Publications and the man behind New Fun, New Comics, and other memorable original comics that predated DC Comics’ inception.  Other contributions include an intro by Jim Steranko (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and an afterward by comics historian Tom Andrae.

All the comics included in this tome have been painstakingly reproduced and repaired to show how they would have looked back in the 1930s; and also included are all the pulps that the comics were based on! 

This groundbreaking book explores the history of DC Comics before it became the behemoth we know today; the pulp stories that formed the basis for all the different kinds of comics that exist today. Titles included in this historical reprint include Barry O'Neill and Fang Gow (script- Wheeler-Nicholson; art- Leo O'Mealia), Blood Pearls(script- Wheeler-Nicholson; art- Munson Paddock), Foe of the Borgias (script and art- Sven Elven), The Golden Dragon (script and art- Tom Hickey) and more! 

Nuke 'Em! Classic Cold War Comics Celebrating the End of the World; ISBN 978-1-61345-163-2;  $49.99; Deluxe hardcover with printed laminated cover; historical essay and documentary materials; reprints the complete run of Atomic War! #1-4 (November, 1952-April, 1953) and the complete run of World War III #1-2 (March, 1952 and May, 1953).

Back in the 1950s during the “Cold War” every new day beckoned the possibility of the end of the world. Kids grew up in the shadow of bomb shelters and were treated to daily lessons at school on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack.  Americans were besieged by constant reminders to police our borders, to carefully watch out for “foreigners” who might be spies, and to be ever vigilant in preparing to combat the “red” menace of communism. 

 Comic books of this era played on these fears with stories of atomic war and world war III.  This new historic reprint looks back at those good ole days, which can be viewed in the perspective of today’s political climate. 

This volume reprints the complete runs of Atomic War! and World War III and can be read merely as great action/adventure stories, classic “war” comics or as an eerie, unanticipated commentary on today’s tribulations.  SPECIAL NOTE: if these extremely rare books were purchased at your local comic shop they would cost well over $1000 in low grade condition!