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The Bill Everett Archives #1
The Bill Everett Archives, Vol. 1: Amazing Mysteries
The 1939 creation of the Sub-Mariner for the first issue of Marvel Comics assures Bill Everett a place in history. Co-creating Daredevil, the Man Without Fear, for Marvel Comics in 1964 gave Everett a link to one of the most popular superheroes of the past 50 years. And producing over 400 additional pages of superhero-related work in the very early days of the Golden Age of Comics (1938-42) makes Bill Everett a legend.
This book collects over 200 pages of this never-before-reprinted work from titles such as Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938), Amazing-Man Comics (1939), Target Comics (1940), Heroic Comics (1940), and Blue Bolt Comics (1940). These titles feature an endless array of great vintage Everett characters such as Amazing-Man, Hydroman, Skyrocket Steele, Sub-Zero, The Chameleon, and many more, all produced by Everett’s shop Funnies, Inc. for such clients as Centaur, Novelty Press, and Eastern Color, and all displaying Everett’s brilliant cartooning and energetic storytelling.
Edited and compiled by best-selling author and comic-book historian Blake Bell (Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko), Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives is a stunning companion to Bell’s 2010 critically acclaimed Everett biography and art book, Fire and Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner and the Birth of Marvel Comics. This volume follows the format of Bell’s Steve Ditko Archives series; never-before-reprinted, beautifully restored, full-color stories from one of comic books’ greatest visionaries and most accomplished artists. Also includes an introduction by Bell that delves even deeper into Everett’s life, fiery personality, and the history of the era. The resultant package enhances Everett’s place in history as one of the first and best comic-book creators of all time.
This book collects over 200 pages of this never-before-reprinted work from titles such as Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938), Amazing-Man Comics (1939), Target Comics (1940), Heroic Comics (1940), and Blue Bolt Comics (1940). These titles feature an endless array of great vintage Everett characters such as Amazing-Man, Hydroman, Skyrocket Steele, Sub-Zero, The Chameleon, and many more, all produced by Everett’s shop Funnies, Inc. for such clients as Centaur, Novelty Press, and Eastern Color, and all displaying Everett’s brilliant cartooning and energetic storytelling.
Edited and compiled by best-selling author and comic-book historian Blake Bell (Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko), Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives is a stunning companion to Bell’s 2010 critically acclaimed Everett biography and art book, Fire and Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner and the Birth of Marvel Comics. This volume follows the format of Bell’s Steve Ditko Archives series; never-before-reprinted, beautifully restored, full-color stories from one of comic books’ greatest visionaries and most accomplished artists. Also includes an introduction by Bell that delves even deeper into Everett’s life, fiery personality, and the history of the era. The resultant package enhances Everett’s place in history as one of the first and best comic-book creators of all time.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2012
5 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Bill Everett
389 books11 followersWilliam Blake Everett, aka Bill Everett, was a comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner as well as co-creating Zombie and Daredevil with writer Stan Lee for Marvel Comics. He was a descendant of the poet William Blake and of Richard Everett, founder of Dedham, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 6, 2021
Amazing-Man and Hydro-Man are my new favorite superheroes !
March 16, 2012
Most comic book fans with even a minimal knowledge of the medium's history know of Bill Everett, creator of Sub-Mariner and co-creator of Daredevil. As Blake Bell points out in the aptly titled Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives Vol. 1, the artist deserves far more attention and scrutiny. Everett worked on numerous comics throughout his lengthy career and this book explores his key contributions during the early Golden Age (1938-42) to titles such as Amazing Mystery Funnies, Amazing Man Comics, and Target Comics. Bell not only reprints several of the stories featuring the largely forgotten creations Skyrocket Steele, Amazing-Man, Hydro-Man, Sub-Zero Man, and others, but places Everett within the proper context of history through a brief bio of the artist during this period and notes about the individual pieces. Deserving a place in most graphic libraries, the handsome Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives Vol. 1 successfully re-introduces the talented Everett to a new generation of readers.
October 29, 2023
Praise be to Blake Bell, who is among a few that are rescuing and preserving the history of the medium. Better still, they are making these books available in relatively affordable deluxe hardcover editions. These were once only in the hands of the most affluent collectors. Now, these obscure old comics are available everywhere for the first time in decades. This is a fan collaborative effort, as many collectors are destroying their brittle, moldering pulp treasures in order to be scanned for these books. Their sacrifice has not been in vain. I thank them all from the bottom of my jaded, cynical heart.
Bill Everett is most famous for his creation, the Sub-Mariner, over at Timely (later known as Marvel) Comics. These comics predate and were released simultaneously with Everett's Timely output. As was industry standard back in the '30s and '40s, a creator would start off a strip and often hand it off to others. The completist in me would love to see collections of the further adventures of these also-rans. Sadly, this will likely never happen, or at least not in color. There are a few companies who are doing black and white reprints of some of this stuff, but those don't interest me.
Bell has organized the book by character as opposed to the chronological-by-job order that he did for his Steve Ditko Archives (also available from Fantagraphics Books). Like his peers, Everett threw everything at the wall to see what stuck. As explained in Bell's beefy introduction, some of these characters had pieces of Everett as part of the character, i.e. locale, so on and so forth.
Skyrocket Steele was a Flash Gordon ripoff, which means that it was a ripoff of a Buck Rogers ripoff. I am dumber for having read Dirk The Demon, a strip about an archaeologist from the 24th century. It is interesting only for historical significance and not much else. Everett was still finding his style, so that strip didn't even have his trademark artwork going for it.
The Amazing-Man served as the inspiration to Roy Thomas for the origin of Iron Fist some 35 years later. Not in the martial arts aspect, but in the mystical city, hooded judge, etc. Bull's-Eye Bill was your standard cowboy fare that could be found in all comic books of the day. Superheroes weren't the dominant force in this still emerging medium, so Golden Age comics like this often feature a variety of genres. Hydro-Man is a case of if it worked once, it will work twice. Everett basically ripped off himself, creating another water based character like the Sub-Mariner. It has nice artwork and Everett's unique, pleasing to the eye hand lettering.
Sub-Zero Man was an Ice Man precursor, while The Conqueror was your run of the mill patriotic garbed hero who fought the Axis. The Music Master is my favorite character in this book. John Wallace is gunned down and saved by his friend, who resurrects him by playing the ancient Egyptian instrument the Pipes Of Death. In a way unknown to medical science it makes him able to travel on sound tracks. He wears the pipes around his kneck and fights crime. These stories are all silly but are a ton of fun. I have always been a sucker for old timey things and Americana in general.
A few miscellaneous pieces close out the book. My favorite of these is The Story Of The Red Cross from True Comics #2, which is exactly what is sounds like. The history of the Red Cross in comic book form, lovingly rendered by Everett. This book belongs in every comic fan's library.
Bill Everett is most famous for his creation, the Sub-Mariner, over at Timely (later known as Marvel) Comics. These comics predate and were released simultaneously with Everett's Timely output. As was industry standard back in the '30s and '40s, a creator would start off a strip and often hand it off to others. The completist in me would love to see collections of the further adventures of these also-rans. Sadly, this will likely never happen, or at least not in color. There are a few companies who are doing black and white reprints of some of this stuff, but those don't interest me.
Bell has organized the book by character as opposed to the chronological-by-job order that he did for his Steve Ditko Archives (also available from Fantagraphics Books). Like his peers, Everett threw everything at the wall to see what stuck. As explained in Bell's beefy introduction, some of these characters had pieces of Everett as part of the character, i.e. locale, so on and so forth.
Skyrocket Steele was a Flash Gordon ripoff, which means that it was a ripoff of a Buck Rogers ripoff. I am dumber for having read Dirk The Demon, a strip about an archaeologist from the 24th century. It is interesting only for historical significance and not much else. Everett was still finding his style, so that strip didn't even have his trademark artwork going for it.
The Amazing-Man served as the inspiration to Roy Thomas for the origin of Iron Fist some 35 years later. Not in the martial arts aspect, but in the mystical city, hooded judge, etc. Bull's-Eye Bill was your standard cowboy fare that could be found in all comic books of the day. Superheroes weren't the dominant force in this still emerging medium, so Golden Age comics like this often feature a variety of genres. Hydro-Man is a case of if it worked once, it will work twice. Everett basically ripped off himself, creating another water based character like the Sub-Mariner. It has nice artwork and Everett's unique, pleasing to the eye hand lettering.
Sub-Zero Man was an Ice Man precursor, while The Conqueror was your run of the mill patriotic garbed hero who fought the Axis. The Music Master is my favorite character in this book. John Wallace is gunned down and saved by his friend, who resurrects him by playing the ancient Egyptian instrument the Pipes Of Death. In a way unknown to medical science it makes him able to travel on sound tracks. He wears the pipes around his kneck and fights crime. These stories are all silly but are a ton of fun. I have always been a sucker for old timey things and Americana in general.
A few miscellaneous pieces close out the book. My favorite of these is The Story Of The Red Cross from True Comics #2, which is exactly what is sounds like. The history of the Red Cross in comic book form, lovingly rendered by Everett. This book belongs in every comic fan's library.
January 12, 2022
This is a lovingly-curated collection of early Bill Everett work, well-scanned from the original comics and accompanied by short but informative prefatory comments on each section. Each section presents Everett's run (or the first few samples of his run, for characters on whom he worked for a while) on a particular character. Most of these are moderately risible superheroes. I was especially fond of Hydro-
Man, who can turn himself--and his clothes, including the transparent impenetrable armour he wears--into water. Most amusing was the initial chemical accident that creates the power, when a scientist spills some on his hand and then stands around, seemingly pretty chill about the whole thing, as his hand manifests as an ever-flowing geyser of water. Amazing Man is a fairly typical superhuman, The Conqueror crosses Nazi checkpoints (in costume!) as a car passenger, Sub-Zeroman has the expected power, etc. There are also a few other genres, including westerns about Bulls-eye Bill, and even a historical comic about the formation of the Red Cross. Weirdest of all, though, are the two brief stories about Dirk the Demon, which are just plain strange. Everett's style is still developing, so some of the earlier material lacks the dynamism and polish of his best work, but all of it has a strong kinetic sense. Cars tearing along the highway do so with all wheels in the air, for instance. Those interested in Golden Age comics should find this eclectic collection of Everett's early work worth a look. Others might be puzzled by the crazy plots and implausible events.
Man, who can turn himself--and his clothes, including the transparent impenetrable armour he wears--into water. Most amusing was the initial chemical accident that creates the power, when a scientist spills some on his hand and then stands around, seemingly pretty chill about the whole thing, as his hand manifests as an ever-flowing geyser of water. Amazing Man is a fairly typical superhuman, The Conqueror crosses Nazi checkpoints (in costume!) as a car passenger, Sub-Zeroman has the expected power, etc. There are also a few other genres, including westerns about Bulls-eye Bill, and even a historical comic about the formation of the Red Cross. Weirdest of all, though, are the two brief stories about Dirk the Demon, which are just plain strange. Everett's style is still developing, so some of the earlier material lacks the dynamism and polish of his best work, but all of it has a strong kinetic sense. Cars tearing along the highway do so with all wheels in the air, for instance. Those interested in Golden Age comics should find this eclectic collection of Everett's early work worth a look. Others might be puzzled by the crazy plots and implausible events.
May 30, 2017
2011 239 pages
Discusses the history of comic books especially the art and storylines and characters created by
Everett including Submariner and Daredevil (with Stan Lee). Lots of examples of his art.
Discusses the history of comic books especially the art and storylines and characters created by
Everett including Submariner and Daredevil (with Stan Lee). Lots of examples of his art.
October 15, 2025
I’m super happy this exists, and it’s a really well-curated and beautifully designed collection. But these are barely comics. Even Everett’s slightly later stuff is much more polished and fun to read.
July 2, 2014
This is that rarest of birds: An excellent reprint volume made form public domain comics, and ones that don't infringe on any living artists possible interests, either. Blake Bell has assembled a wonderful archive of the early work of Bill Everett, featuring some of his most famous non-Timely/Marvel creations: Hydroman, Amazing Man, Sub-Zero.
It's great to see an artist like Bill Everett get this kind of love and care taken with his work. He was an artist who's talent grew and expanded as he got older, and his work on Sub-Mariner for Marvel right before his death showed how good he had become. Bell provides a fairly good biography of Everett, limited to the time period covered by the reprints.
Many folks will be dismayed to see that it isn't all super-heroes; so sorry, but there are other types of comic books, you idiots. Detective, adventures, western, science fiction and even text stories are well-represented in Amazing Mysteries. There isn't a bad story in the book; sure some of the attitudes and plots are a tad dated, but one has to read any sort of book in the eyes of the era that it was created in order to get the true brilliance of the work.
This is one I definitely would recommend to any comic book fan who actually reads proper comic books and comic stories, not the 99% dreck that is published today.
It's great to see an artist like Bill Everett get this kind of love and care taken with his work. He was an artist who's talent grew and expanded as he got older, and his work on Sub-Mariner for Marvel right before his death showed how good he had become. Bell provides a fairly good biography of Everett, limited to the time period covered by the reprints.
Many folks will be dismayed to see that it isn't all super-heroes; so sorry, but there are other types of comic books, you idiots. Detective, adventures, western, science fiction and even text stories are well-represented in Amazing Mysteries. There isn't a bad story in the book; sure some of the attitudes and plots are a tad dated, but one has to read any sort of book in the eyes of the era that it was created in order to get the true brilliance of the work.
This is one I definitely would recommend to any comic book fan who actually reads proper comic books and comic stories, not the 99% dreck that is published today.
July 16, 2012
Great collection of anecdotes and stories from Bill Everett's career that doesn't focus solely on his Marvel work and the Sub-Mariner. Fascinating stuff and some decidedly weird stuff as well.
If you're a fan of Golden Age comics, this is a must-read.
If you're a fan of Golden Age comics, this is a must-read.
March 11, 2013
All in all a solid collection. It was interesting to see the changes or growth of Everett's artwork. Though simple, the stories were enjoyable.
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March 25, 2023golden age comic books are super duper
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews