In June of 1938, Action Comics debuted with a new kind of comic-book character on its cover: a costumed man with two identities, who possessed extraordinary strength and powers — a man able to protect the public when ordinary measures would not do. He was not the first super hero, but the Man of Steel would become the prototype for all super heroes thereafter.

Superman's story, and those of Batman, Wonder Woman, and hundreds of other DC Comics characters, are all told in The Golden Age of DC Comics. Expanded from the Eisner Award–winning XL book, 75 Years of DC Comics, this edition offers readers the ultimate insight on DC's first decades, from its pulp origins up to the comic-book burnings of the McCarthy '50s.

More than 600 pages of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and ephemera bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life. Also included is an exclusive interview with legendary artist Joe Kubert.

The author:

Paul Levitz is a comic book fan who has worked as editor/publisher of The Comic Reader, editor of the Batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 stories — including an acclaimed run on Legion of Super-Heroes — and a DC Comics executive, finishing his 38-year stint with the company as President and Publisher. He returned to writing in 2010 with a new series of Legion stories and other projects. His most recent graphic novel is Brooklyn Blood.