For the past three years, Dr. Matthew Smith has been writing and co-editing his latest publication set: 鈥淚cons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman.鈥�
The books are a two-part encyclopedia set with entries that include about a 5,000 word description.
鈥淭hey are definitely not instruction booklets,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淏ut they are different from other encyclopedias because we focus on the word icon and what really stands out about comics.鈥�
Smith wrote entries on Batgirl, Comic-Con, Green Lantern, Jack Kirby鈥檚 4th World and more.
This book marks Smith鈥檚 6th book and his 3rd edited book set with co-editor Randy Duncan. He is already planning the next publication which will be a 2nd edition of 鈥淧ower of Comics.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e working with Paul Levitz, the former president of DC Comics, for this 2nd edition,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淧aul鈥檚 been rewriting the history chapters which is exciting because he鈥檚 been an eyewitness to everything.鈥�
The next edition of 鈥淧ower of Comics鈥� is slated to be finished in January of 2014.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really impressive the quality of people we鈥檝e worked with,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with scholars from around the world and renowned people in the comic industry. Contributions to this book have come from the people who MADE comics."
By Shelly Gregory, 2013