Comic Book Punks: How a Generation of Brits Reinvented Pop Culture

by Karl Stock

The influence of the comic book has never been greater, from movies to streaming and beyond, but the journey comics took from little-regarded kids' magazines to literary prize-winning books and global franchises turned on a highly unusual group of writers and artists. Few would have expected a small gathering of British comic book fans and creators in the early 'seventies to be a global cultural pivot-point, but this was the start of a disparate movement of punks, dropouts, and disaffected youths who reinvented a medium and became the imaginative heart of a global success story.

Based on years of interviews with a generation of leading writers, artists, and editors, Karl Stock reveals the true story of the wild times, passion, and determination that helped, hindered, and saw the reinvention of comics.

Stock brilliantly tells the story of the triumphs and disasters that rewrote the rulebook on what comics could be and who they should be for.

Genres: Audiobook, History, Comics, Nonfiction

500 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2023

Reviews

[Bill Hsu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a lot of the comic creators in this book, and still remember how life-changing it was to experience Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, McCarthy/Milligan's Freakwave and Paradax, and Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol, when they first appeared in the US. (Friends, if you're not familiar with Freakwave, you need to be. And now it's online, you lucky people!) So I was pretty excited to come across this, despite the hyperbole in the title and the description.

Unfortunately there are significant problems. The author is an exhausting gossip queen, and most of the creators did not have backstories as intriguing as Grant Morrison's. (A lot of the earlier guys were also, frankly, not very punky.) We often get lists of what schools they went to, and who the notable (but completely unconnected) fellow alumni were. The 20-page chapter introducing Neil Gaiman doesn't even mention Gaiman until the 5th page. I have to skim and skip entire paragraphs and chapters to get through this.

From the description, it's "based on years of interviews". Many of the interviews were not done by the author, and available online. There is however this highly amusing (if silly) clip, for Grant Morrison fans:
https://digital.nls.uk/1980s/watch-li...

Finally, there are no illustrations. Zero. This could have been so much more.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stock’s Brit Lit on all things comic book and related are covered from Barry Smith to Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. The wave of talent from Britain’s long running 2000 AD comic ( which gets a ton of coverage in this book and for good reason) into DC’s Vertigo line. All the connections and connective tissue between the artists and writers and their creations get their fair spotlight.

[Book Club of One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the ongoing dominance of Marvel Cinematic Universe, begun in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, comics are enjoying a wider mainstream acceptance. This has not always been the case, as in their past they were regarded as disposable entertainment for children. Karl Stock's Comic Book Punks: How A Generation of Brits Reinvented Pop Culture looks at this history, focused primarily on the British comic book industry through it's ups and downs in the twentieth century.

As suggested by the title, the comic books industry has a surprising linkage with the punk musical movement, especially with the more outsider, subversive, adult oriented comix. Stock carried out extensive interviews with comic creatives and editors, giving essential recollections of decisions made in the moment and reflections on careers in the field. Alongside these interviews, Stock supplements the chronology with his own research.

While lengthy, the book moves through the different eras of comic book history in Britain from initial exposure to the books in post world war II to the launch of present day Marvel in the 1960s. Stock follows both publishers, creatives, editors and key series or characters through their sometimes short-term or still ongoing success and influence. I was very happy to see the inclusion of Joe Colquhoun and Pat Mills's series Charley's War placed in context.

As an audiobook, it can at times be a bit dense and require some re-listens. It also misses out on the inclusion of any featured art, it is probably best to reference a print or electronic version, but Stock does make efforts to be descriptive of the art work and process of creation.

Those looking to learn about the early days of the careers of today greats Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Eddie Campbell or Pat Mills will find a wealth of details here. Recommended to readers who enjoyed All the Marvels by Douglas Wolk or those interested in comic book history.

I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a history of comics in the UK. I had heard a lot of these interviews before, because we read a lot of 2000AD, but I didn't care. It was super informative and included some of my favorite characters like Constantine and Swamp Thing. Excellent addition to any comic fan's library.

5 stars

[Dave Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute Blast, if you love & remember British comics of the 80s & 90s

[Avri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost impossibly detailed at times, but the level of detail leads to consistent moments of nostalgia and insight. A dense read, it nonetheless inspired me to pull this long neglected title down from my shelf, to track down that somehow overlooked title from a favorite creator.

A book that inspires you to read other books can be said to have done its job.

[Tom Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good book on the history of the comics industry, particularly on an era or aspect that I grew up with and captured my interest at the time. While not being from Great Britain, I lived through the period covered in this book, principally the late 70's through the 90's, and experienced the influx of British talent entering the American comic industry, as well as managing to get my hands on some of their homegrown material, both through the original publications (2000 AD was special ordered for me at the local comic shop) and through American reprints of original British material.

It's hard to tell if this book represents a comprehensive overview of the period and the creators, but it does cover a large number of creators and publications. In some cases, I felt like I was getting fresh insight into the creators and their material, but I may find it was even more valuable in directing me toward stories I either was unaware of or didn't gravitate to at the time.

Overall, I found it a fascinating read. I do question some of the choices they made on the creators spotlighted on the back cover, though, as some figures featured prominently through the book aren't mentioned while some that are barely warranted a couple of paragraphs within. Still, though, I'd recommend this to those interested in the surge of talented British comics creators towards the end of the 20th century.

[Bradley Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comic Book Punks: How a Generation of Brits Reinvented Pop Culture
Written by Karl Stock
Read by Liam Gerrard
Book 271/200
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Format: Audiobook, ARC
Pages/Time: 500/15hr 26
Published: 2023
Rating: 8/10
Narration: 8/10

The first British Invasion of Comics created some of the biggest names in the world of comics, and created some of my absolute favorite Marvel and DC stories. Karl Stock dictates the engaging history of Brits in comics featuring the comic book greats like Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, and Peter Milligan. Comic Book Punks is a thoroughly well researched and written compendium of a fantastic period in comic book history, leading to the new British Invasion with writers like Kieron Gillen, Al Ewing, and Si Spurrier. This is an absolute must read for any comic fan!

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This book dragged at times- especially as an audiobook- but I admit that it was a full, thorough history how a handful of British comic enthusiasts changed the face of comics. Highly recommend if the history of comics as a genre tickles your fancy, just be warned- this is a long one.

[Ben Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this although listened to the audio version where the narrator really seemed to struggle with a few of the words. Fair enough with Bill Siencewicz but Frank Bough?

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully in depth look at the recent history of British comics. I don’t love the title but that’s my only quibble. I wish it was even longer.

[Christopher Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.thepensivequill.com/2024/...

[Robbie Carnegie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid, well researched study of the golden age of British comics creators. It would perhaps benefit from a more personal angle to lift it from its slightly workmanlike quality.