Wally's World: The Brilliant Life and Tragic Death of Wally Wood, the World's 2nd Best Comic Book Artist

by Steve Starger, Peter Max (Introduction), Steve Starger

A dramatic illustrated biography of legendary cartoonist Wallace Wood. Journalist Steve Starger and historian J. David Spurlock tell a concise but sweeping tale of Wood's life and times and offer a brisk, colorful history of the comic book industry and the American century from the Depression through the early 1980s.

Genres: Biography, Comics

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Charlie Eckhaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my priority must-read pile for ages due the awesome talent of the artist, finally getting to it

Opens effectively, with his death, like a Hollywood bio.

Taken aback by the sudden leap into Scandinavian myth/legend/history, even thinking the book had been misbound, then discovering it was indeed intentional. I have to question the decision to include such detail, but time (reading) will tell.

Hoping there will be some unfamiliar illustrations as I progress.
... found a very nice one, a gift to his uncle.

God coverage of his merchant marine/military service, folk music enthusiasm.

Wonderful history of EC and his prolific work there draws you into the exciting times.
Seems to have the facts straight on the Wertham days, end of EC, transition of Mad, departure of Kurtzman.

Had never known of the close friendship with the Dillons, or heard much about his alcoholism.

Relentless coverage of his declining years (while depressing) and of his legacy is exceedingly well-done. Admirable writing on the latter.

(to be concluded)

[Charles Dee Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book opens with Wallace Wood blowing his brains out with a .44 magnum in a rundown apartment house in Van Nuys, California. The year is 1981 and Wood is 54 years old, drunk, drawing porno cartoons for a living, and facing kidney failure. So even if you come to this biography knowing only Wood's great work for EC Comics, Mad Magazine, and his science fiction illustration, you will not be under the impression that what you are about to read is particularly upbeat.

As a biography, Wally's World is better than a cursory or fanboy treatment of its subject but falls short -- way short -- as a in depth biographical study. The authors had access to surviving family members, ex-wives, and Wood's co-workers, and so they bring in a great deal of interesting material and a variety of voices to this short, heavily illustrated book. But their work is poorly edited and offers few insights into how this talented and difficult man lost it all in the world of American comics and illustration. Alcohol is the clearest answer here, but just as Wood's wife, Tatanya, successfully kept the extent of his drinking secret for such a long time from Wood's employers and co-workers, the authors have almost a "hands off" attitude when it comes to the details and causes of Wood's eventual implosion. What they are best at is recreating the world of American comics in the 1950's and 60's, that boys' club where Wally Wood held the office of president for many years. In later chapters, such figures as R. Crumb and Art Spiegelman put in appearances. Wood's significance in the history of American comics is assured.

About that subtitle. My reading of this book stretched over weeks and I did not pick it up for days at a time. But I am not sure who, if Wood was the "World's Second Best Comic Book Artist," the authors have in mind as the very best. Eisner? Kirby? Skimming back through, I never found the answer.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

The HUGE number of typos and grammar errors aside, this is still a mixed bag. The authors give you some valuable insights into Wood's upbringing and life, and they don't kiss his proverbial ass too, too much. There are too many digressions into general comic book history, however, and the writing is pedestrian. It's worth taking from the library if you want to learn about Wood, but I wouldn't pay for it.

Nice art galleries though.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

The paramount irony in this biography of Wallace Wood, one of the most influential artists in comic history, is the atrocious editing. The biographers repeatedly remind readers that Wood hated editors, and they echo his disdain through the poverty of editing and proofreading of their own text. At least the bio was organized meh-k (not quite "OK").

[Nolan Buro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall a very interesting biography of a talented, though self-destructive, artist. There are a few odd writing choices and some amateurish grammar and printing errors, but worth a read if you find one at a reasonable price. Would love to see this updated and reprinted with a few actual Wally Wood comic stories added.

[Bud · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had no idea who this amazing artist was until Carrie's grandfather lent this book to me. He was friends with Wally Wood in elementary school through high school. The book was written pretty poorly, it was more like a marching through facts, and less like a narrative. The reason I give it 2 stars is because of the connection I made through it with Carrie's grandfather mostly. That and some of the art reproductions were nice.

[j_ay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well done biography fully illustrated throughout.
I’m not left with any questions about Wally’s life or expansive career.
If only the other bios, like the recent Jack Kirby, were even close to being this well investigated and researched.
Needless to say, a rather depressing read...

[Clay Fernald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes geniuses have trouble with the day-to-day. They travel down dark & painful roads only to create beautiful maps of what they see along the way.