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Bill Schelly

Otto Binder: The Life and Work of a Comic Book and Science Fiction Visionary Paperback – Illustrated, June 7, 2016

by Bill Schelly (Author), Richard A. Lupoff (Foreword)

4.6 40 ratings

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Otto Binder: The Life and Work of a Comic Book and Science Fiction Visionary chronicles the career of Otto Binder, from pulp magazine author to writer of Supergirl, Captain Marvel, and Superman comics. As the originator of the first sentient robot in literature ("I, Robot," published in Amazing Stories in 1939 and predating Isaac Asimov's collection of the same name), Binder's effect on science fiction was profound. Within the world of comic books, he created or co-created much of the Superman universe, including Smallville; Krypto, Superboy's dog; Supergirl; and the villain Braniac. Binder is also credited with writing many of the first "Bizarro" storylines for DC Comics, as well as for being the main writer for the Captain Marvel comics. In later years, Binder expanded from comic books into pure science writing, publishing dozens of books and articles on the subject of satellites and space travel as well as UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Comic book historian Bill Schelly tells the tale of Otto Binder through comic panels, personal letters, and interviews with Binder's own family and friends. Schelly weaves together Binder's professional successes and personal tragedies, including the death of Binder's only daughter and his wife's struggle with mental illness. A touching and human story, Otto Binder: The Life and Work of a Comic Book and Science Fiction Visionary is a biography that is both meticulously researched and beautifully told, keeping alive Binder's spirit of scientific curiosity and whimsy.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

North Atlantic Books
Publication date

June 7, 2016
Dimensions

6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1623170370
ISBN-13

978-1623170370
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Jeremy Dauber
103
Hardcover
1 offer from $19.58

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Otto Binder was a kind of titan, a precursor of the gods … because he came up with basic primordial forms that later writers would perhaps polish to a greater luster. But Binder hewed them out of solid rock. He was mining the raw material.”
—Alan Moore, author of Watchmen and V for Vendetta

“Bill Schelly has an obsessive yet intelligent passion for things many might consider marginal if not bizarre—always the mark of an interesting mind.”
—Tom Robbins, author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

“Bill Schelly has done an amazing job of capturing Otto and his family and friends, and explaining in an interesting way why his work was so important and precedent-setting.”
—Michael Uslan, executive producer of The Dark Knight Rises

“Schelly truly brings Binder alive on the page. He crafts a candid and sympathetic portrait that makes you feel that you have gotten to know the man almost as vividly as if you had met him in real life.”
—Paul Gravett, Comic Book Marketplace

About the Author

Bill Schelly has been immersed in the world of science fiction and comics since the mid-1960s, making his first contributions to the pop culture fringe through his comics fanzine Sense of Wonder. Schelly began meticulously researching the history of comics fandom in the 1990s and has since published many books on the subject. He is currently the associate editor of the Eisner Award-winning magazine Alter Ego. His recent books include The American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s and Harvey Kurtzman, The Man Who Created Mad.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ North Atlantic Books; Illustrated edition (June 7, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1623170370
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1623170370
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #767,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #132 in Comic & Graphic Novel Literary Criticism
- #167 in Comics & Graphic Novel History & Prices
- #2,494 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences

Customer Reviews:
4.6 40 ratings

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Bill Schelly

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BILL SCHELLY is the Eisner Award-winning author of HARVEY KURTZMAN, THE MAN WHO CREATED MAD AND REVOLUTIONIZED HUMOR IN AMERICA, voted Best Comics-Related Book of 2015. He began researching the history of comic fandom in 1991, resulting in the book The Golden Age of Comic Fandom (1995), then became associate editor of Alter Ego magazine, a post he holds to the present day. Schelly has written several biographies of film and comics artists, including movie comedian Harry Langdon and comic book scribe Otto Binder, co-creator of Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes. In 2008, he authored Man of Rock, a biography of celebrated comics writer-artist Joe Kubert. Schelly's American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950’S (2013) was nominated for a Harvey Award. He has received acclaim as the premier historian of comic fandom, and perhaps the top biographer of comic book creators.

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Virginia E. Johnson

A Giant of The Comic Book Industry

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2016

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“An Interesting Look At One of The Giants of the Comic Book Industry.”

Growing up during the so-called Golden Age of the comic books, I never thought about the men and women behind the comic books I was reading. I discovered Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman when my parents moved to the big city when I was seven years old; these and others became my escape from reality. My real discovery, however, was Captain Marvel and later, The Marvel Family. As a kid, it was enough that they entertained me, and became a huge part of my reading. I read comic books off and on until 1980 (age 40), when I no longer felt any interest in them. But looking back on my youth, and a media that was so important at the time, I couldn’t pass up this book.

Bill Schelly gathers letters and interviews from many of those in the comic book industry who knew Otto Binder, one of the main writers for Captain Marvel and The Marvel Family, and put this biography together. I believe it is an updated reprint of a previous edition, with added material. Whatever the case, the author gives us a behind the scenes look at the man and his craft, the good times and the bad, and not only what the industry did to him, but what decision he made that proved disastrous, as well. Otto Binder entertained millions of kids for over thirty years. Beginning his writing career in science fiction pulp magazines, where little was published of literary quality, it sparked his ambition to become a writer. Not many of his pulp stories rose above the rest of the early junk being published, but his Adam Link stories certainly fascinated the readers and other media of the day. Going into comic book writing was better pay for less work, and his output became a herculean affair. But tragedy and finances took their toll eventually, leaving him in hard straights. He never forgot his fans, even if he tried to forget the comic book industry. It’s a bittersweet story of triumph and heartbreak, but one I’m glad I finally read.

The book itself is well produced, and the writing is excellent, and the story easily followed. If I had one compliant, it would be the light print of the text. With all ready failing eyesight, the light print was difficult to read for long periods. I can’t say that I am a comic book fan, but I can highly recommend this to those fans, as well as to old folks like me who grew up during the Golden Age.

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John Coates

*MUST READ* for those who enjoy comics history, "How it's made?" type information, and meeting an industry icon.

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

Whether you are a fan of comic books, comic/publishing industry history, or of "Behind the scenes" or "How it's made?" type readings, I can not recommend this book enough; I'm a bias fan of all three.

Basically, the book reads like a novel, taking us through Otto's personal and professional career, chronicling the peak and valleys of both. Otto Binder is one of the most prolific and important writers in comics history, having entered the industry in the late 1930s/early 1940s, and continued through the late 1960s with few interruptions, he not only was one of the driving forces behind the 1940s cultural icon Captain Marvel (A.K.A. Shazam!) and the Marvel Family, he was also one of the main creators of what has come to be known as the "Superman Family" of supporting characters; Supergirl, Legion of Super-Heroes, Brianiac, and other (now) iconic characters and Superman character mythos.

His anecdotes and personal recollections of his peer comic industry professionals - many legends in their own right - and descriptions of the workplace, creative process, and corporate politics, sheds light on the industry, is invaluable for comic industry historians, relational across all industries, and entertaining for all readers (Though some portions of his life are tragic.)

SPOILER ALERT:

The only compliant I have is a section of the book where the author briefly discusses the Binder's second child, who was born in the 1950s and with down-syndrome. With the Binders having decided to institutionalize the child from birth and not raise it at home, the author comments how this decision is difficult to reconcile with who the Binder's where as loving, caring people. The author seems disappointed with the Binders for their decision and abandonment. I think the authors observation is a mistake many historians make; inserting a modern interpretation over an historical event.

There is no question that in the 1950s society and the medical community didn't know as a much about down -syndrome as we do today, or will tomorrow, not to mention now available at-home resources to parents. That being said, we must assume that the Binders were told by society and medical community (A.K.A. "experts"), that life-long institutionalization was their only option and best for their child. All good intentioned at the time but viewed through medicine of today, their actions would seem Machiavellian.

Again, I think the authors observation is a mistake many historians make; inserting a modern interpretation over an historical event.

4 people found this helpful

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Paul S. Power

The Bill Schelly tribute/bio of Otto Binder. SHAZAM!

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2016

Verified Purchase

Bill Schelly is a comic book historian who has taken great care in his research of Otto Binder's work and life, giving this reader an insightful look at this most passionate comic book and science fiction author. I learned a lot about this fine man and how much he had enjoyed writing "The Adventures of Captain MARVEL" at Fawcett Comics from 1941-1954. Otto went on to create "SUPERGIRL" and a great many varied storylines for DC comics Superman family. Although his heart was still with Billy Batson & his alter-ego Captain MARVEL. I felt like I was reading about a dear friend. For those of you who might want to write fiction it gives you one man's insight into HIS stock and trade. It was a wonderful trip in the reading of this man who enjoyed his comic book fans and was very open about his love of writing for comic books. Is it any wonder I loved those stories as a kid and still today as an adult cartoonist myself. However, Otto did suffer for his art and the tragic loss of an inspiration, his teenage daughter. The saddest blow of all.

2 people found this helpful

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