The History of Comics with Author Matthew K. Manning

Learn about the history of comics with author and comic book historian Matthew K. Manning. Hear about the comic book medium's beginnings, from the 1930s to the tumultuous censorship of the 1950s, from the independent revolution of the 1980s to the modern era of mass acceptance and Hollywood blockbusters of today. 

Manning will also talk about his personal career in comics, discussing his early inspirations, attending art college at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, his internship at DC Comics, his start publishing underground comic books, and his twenty-year career writing over 100 published books and equally as many comics. The presentation will also cover how a comic book is made, from early synopsis to finished work. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A period and book signing. Books and comics will be available for purchase at the event.

Matthew K. Manning is the author of hundreds of comics and prose books. Some of his favorite comic book projects include Pause, a creator-owned thriller for John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction from Storm King Comics, the popular crossover Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures that is now in its seventh printing, the 12-issue series Marvel Action: Avengers, a guest run on the Dick Tracy syndicated comic strip, and recent Black Lightning stories in the pages of DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War and DC vs. Vampires: World War V. Several of his prose books have reached best-seller status, including Batman: A Visual History, Avengers Encyclopedia, and the DC Comics Encyclopedia. Manning’s work has received acclaim in Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly, among other publications. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Dorothy and their two children, Lilly and Gwen. Visit him online at www.matthewkmanning.com or subscribe to his newsletter at www.matthewkmanning.substack.com.