Agonizing Love: The Golden Era of Romance Comics

by Michael Barson

Return to thetear-stained, melodramatic heyday of romance comics in this fantastic anthologyof the genre's best stories, covers, advice columns, and more! In a valentineto a bygone era, perfect for fans of modern love stories, Archie comics,and series like Strangers in Paradise , pop-culture expert Michael Barson celebrates the stories that captivated the Americanimagination during the 1950s and 1960s. Readers of books like From Girls to A History of Female Comics From Teens to Zines will be captivated by this one-of-a-kind look atfour-color female portrayals, while collectors of the history of Golden Agecomics will be entranced by crucial stories from Fawcett, Marvel, DC, and manymore comics publishing giants. Above all, however, the indelible pathos at theheart of every Agonizing Love story makes Barson’scollection more than a pop-culture artifact; it’s also an unforgettable lookinto the heart of true romance.

Genres: Comics, Nonfiction, Romance, History, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Zetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agonizing love can be a patronizing love considering these gems of forgotten comic book history. This book is full of color reproductions from the actual comics that were available between 1947 and 1957 and has whole stories as well as advertisements, quizzes, and other filler.

The only real criticism I have is that there's not much material about the writers, artists, and producers of these comics, but it's a great start if you want to take a trip back some 60 years and get a glimpse of how romance was represented in comic book form.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, Fun, Fun!!! I would really love to see a book of romance comics' last gasp (The 70's). Where's that book?

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gasp! Sob! Let me break it down for you:

Chapter 1: BLISS

Chapter 2: JEALOUSY AND BETRAYAL

Chapter 3: DESPAIR

Chapter 4: MARRIAGE HELL

Chapter 5: CLASS STRUGGLES

Oh, and in 1953, it was perfectly acceptable to name a mainstream publication "Gay Love."

[Kricket · Rating 4 out of 5]

these love story comics from the 40s and 50s are sweet, hilarious, and a little bit frightening. "no wife of mine is going to work...you're going to have to give up something...either that job...or me!..."

i wish they still made romance comic magazines.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3.5 ~

[Sheela Word · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agonizing Love was incredibly fun to read. As most of its content consists of ridiculously plotted romantic comic stories from the 50's (the evil mother-in-law tricks her son's bride into putting too much Tabasco sauce into the meat pie), there's not a lot to it, but it's a great book to laugh at with a friend or family member.

[Mark Stratton]

Fascinating and sometimes as subtle as a sock in the jaw, these stories from a bygone era were well chosen for their four color fascination with Love, Comic Book Style. The art, ranging from pedestrian to simply scrumptious is the real treat of this collection.

Culled, edited and notated with love, affection and tongue planted firmly in cheek, this book is an amusing read.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Barson's text is Stan Lee-lite, but the comics themselves are pretty amazing, particularly the final couple of entries.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating read!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of examples of classic romance comics, but also a very interesting commentary and history of the genre. Nicely done book.