Thames & Hudson Chronicles Comic Art from 1964 to 2024

Thames & Hudson Chronicles Comic Art from 1964 to 2024

As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast who’s been through the trials of hunting down rare back issues at dusty corner stores, this latest offering from Thames & Hudson is nothing short of a treasure trove! The 1964–2024 Comics tome not only takes me on a nostalgic journey but also introduces me to new artists and styles that I’d missed along the way.


Back in the day, superheroes from Marvel and DC Comics weren’t ruling the big screen yet; instead, their epic tales were hidden gems found in the quirky comic strips tucked away in small, specialized stores. Now, Thames & Hudson has released a book that takes us on an incredible journey through the rich history of comic art from 1964 to 2024. This book is like a secret decoder ring, connecting the dots between the groundbreaking graphic narratives that sprung up in Europe, Asia, and the USA. As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive into this visual time capsule!

As someone who grew up in the latter half of the 20th century, I can attest to the profound impact that comics have had on society and popular culture during this period. In my younger years, I remember devouring everything from Jean-Claude Forest’s “Barbarella” to Robert Crumb’s “Zap Comix,” finding solace in their unique narratives and artistic styles. The exhibition at Paris’ Centre Pompidou, as described in the book, serves as a testament to the counter-cultural role that comics played from the ’60s onwards, influencing television, movies, and the broader zeitgeist. I wholeheartedly recommend this enlightening exploration of the evolution of comics throughout the decades for anyone interested in understanding how these visual storytelling mediums have shaped our world.

Comics (1964–2024) is a dense archive that can equally be enjoyed by aficionados, as well as new fans, covering a wide range of artists, including André Franquin, Gotlib, Claire Bretécher, Osamu Tezuka, Moebius, Edmond Baudoin, Alison Bechdel, Ulli Lust, Art Spiegelman, Marjane Satrapi and Chris Ware. The monograph is available to purchase for $60 USD, while the exhibition will be on view in Paris until November 4, 2024.

Centre Pompidou
Place Georges-Pompidou,
75004 Paris, France

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2024-08-22 21:26