In the tradition of Will Eisner's "Dropsie Avenue" tales, this collection from TwoMorrows Publishing (home of comic-book magazines Comic Book Artist, Jack Kirby Collector, and Alter Ego) offers a mix of moving, amusing, and breathtaking autobiographical tales from a range of comics talents.

Jack Kirby's "Street Code" is the springboard -- a beautifully illustrated tale told in pencil about the King's childhood in Brooklyn during the Depression era. Alex Toth (creator of Space Ghost, but he did so much more) presents a text-and-drawing tale about getting by during the Depression. Captain Marvel creator C.C. Beck offers an illustrated story about his struggle to make it as an artist after a lifetime of his preacher father being told it was not a suitable trade for his son.

There's also humor -- Scott Shaw tells of a Halloween experience, Evan Dorkin tells about a summer of stealing sodas at camp. And on a more serious note, there's the first version of a little book called "Maus" by a man named Art Spiegelman... who later went on to win the first Pulitzer for the comics form with the full-length tale.

If you're a fan of today's black-and-white comics, or the legends of the past, check out this book. You won't regret it.

JOHN ESTEN COOK DOES A MASTERFUL JOB OF UNITING HISTORY AND FICTION. ALL HISTORICAL FACTS ARE INDICATED AND THE FICTION PART FITS IN VERY WELL WITH THE ACTUAL EVENTS OF THAT TIME. I HAVE READ MOST OF JOHN ESTEN COOKS BOOKS AND I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE BEST.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. At one time I had the entire collection, but somehow they magically disappeared over time. This would be a great collection to have once again. This book is essential to the collection. I remember reading this book night after night until I had the entire book down by heart. Truely a work of art.

Mrs. Fiske has carefully sorted through early documents and developed a thorough and friendly history of the Thomas Cook line. She presents new thoughts, supports them with evidence, and makes this book a very valuable resource for those working anywhere along this line. Two fat! volumes may be obtained (be sure to tell Amazon which, or both, that you want) and you'll learn more than you ever dreamed possible about the Cooks. There are a few errors as can be expected in a work of this size (Grandpa's middle name was Orlando, not Oleander) but they appear minor in relationship to the vast number of entries.

The life of the late Terence Cardinal Cooke has been a great inspiration to me. He suffered greatly during the last few years of his life. Fr. Groeschel sets out a wonderful portrait of a man who was totally devoted to God and his people. During the last nine years of his life, Cardinal Cooke suffered from cancer. Yet, he did not wish that be known. He did not wish to be "a lame duck Archbishop". He would receive chemotheraphy and then continue the arduous schedule of the Archbishop of New York. He kept this up for nine years. It is for this reason that the Catholic Church is considering making him a saint. He was one who spent his life for God and his people on earth.

In this true story, Cindy Cook vulnerably shares the difficulties she experienced of not loving herself and thus, finding it hard to love a step son. But through recognizing God's tender love for her and the wounds from her past and how they affected her, she was able to gradually love again. The story has a happy, tender ending!

This was one of my favorite books as a child. At one time I had the entire collection, but somehow they magically disappeared over time. This would be a great collection to have once again. This book is essential to the collection. I remember reading this book night after night until I had the entire book down by heart. Truely a work of art.

This summer I am working at the university daycare and I am in charge of working with the younger children ages three and four. We pick names for our groups and this year we are the Fireflies. I picked up this book because I thought that the children would enjoy a story about fireflies. I never imagined it would become their favorite. In the first four days of school I read it four times. They love to tell me why they think the firefly will not twinkle and the answers are as varied as the children. They LOVED this book and I know it'll become one of their favorites as well as mine.

As a former student of Cooke's, I may be a bit biased. However, if you want true military insight, there is no one better. Cooke blends his experience as an Army General and war veteran with his decades of experience as a professor. This book, as well as his others, show an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject matter. I highly recommend any books by Mr. Cooke.

I would recommend this book to any teenager undergoing any type of change. This book helped me cope with my unbalanced feelings during my parent's divorce. One day I was able to bottle up all my anger, and act as if nothing had happened. At other times, I would just break down and cry. Ups&Downs helped me realize what I was doing and taught me how to prevent myself from doing so. Now I am able to face the facts and live my life the way it was before.