Also have been reading some non fiction... about Scientology.
Tonebone, how's the Scientology stuff? Good reading?
Yeah.. I've read Church of Fear by John Sweeny, and Going Clear by Lawrence Wright. The Sweeny book is about his making of a documentary for the BBC, but the one I really recommend is Going Clear, all about Hubbard, the church, and the Hollywood connection.
I'm currently reading Going Clear. It's so fascinating I can hardly put it down. L. Ron Hubbard was nuts!
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Good so far, but the library sent me the large print edition, so it's kinda like the book is yelling at me!
Just wrapped up Some Golden Harbor by David Drake. I've been a fan of Drake since discovering Hammer's Slammers in the early 80's. I'm incredibly happy that he's in a better place than he was when he was writing the Slammers books, but I honestly think that his writing has suffered for his improved mental health. Much as was the case with the Lord of the Isles books, the Leary/Mundy RCN novels are all conceived to be interelated but stand alone novels. That makes them pretty accessible, with just enough callback to previous books to make the idea of going back to any missed previous books appealing. Unfortunately, it also means that he reiterates character traits in every book and sometimes multiple times in any one book.
Next up: Glen Cook's An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat.
Just wrapped up Some Golden Harbor by David Drake. I've been a fan of Drake since discovering Hammer's Slammers in the early 80's. I'm incredibly happy that he's in a better place than he was when he was writing the Slammers books, but I honestly think that his writing has suffered for his improved mental health. Much as was the case with the Lord of the Isles books, the Leary/Mundy RCN novels are all conceived to be interelated but stand alone novels. That makes them pretty accessible, with just enough callback to previous books to make the idea of going back to any missed previous books appealing. Unfortunately, it also means that he reiterates character traits in every book and sometimes multiple times in any one book.
Next up: Glen Cook's An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat.
Just wrapped up Some Golden Harbor by David Drake. I've been a fan of Drake since discovering Hammer's Slammers in the early 80's. I'm incredibly happy that he's in a better place than he was when he was writing the Slammers books, but I honestly think that his writing has suffered for his improved mental health. Much as was the case with the Lord of the Isles books, the Leary/Mundy RCN novels are all conceived to be interelated but stand alone novels. That makes them pretty accessible, with just enough callback to previous books to make the idea of going back to any missed previous books appealing. Unfortunately, it also means that he reiterates character traits in every book and sometimes multiple times in any one book.
Next up: Glen Cook's An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat.
Big fan of the Leary/Mundy books.
Is (Wordy Title) a new series from Cook?
If it has Drake's name on it, I'll buy it and read it and probably really enjoy it. I'm just getting tired of the stand alone conceit that causes me to be repeatedly told that Mundy doesn't really have any attachment to life or property and it's only her loyalty to Leary and crew that keeps her from going off the deep end in a suicidal blaze of bad-assery.
As far as Cook goes, nope. It's a collection of the short story works from the Dread Empire series. I'm also a huge fan of Cook. The Black Company books are extraordinary and have led me to most of his other works, though I haven't embraced the Garrett P.I. books - I'm not huge on cross-genre stuff (though I may try again - I've really enjoyed Cherryh's Foreigner books and they're certainly cross-genre political thriller - SF works.
If it has Drake's name on it, I'll buy it and read it and probably really enjoy it. I'm just getting tired of the stand alone conceit that causes me to be repeatedly told that Mundy doesn't really have any attachment to life or property and it's only her loyalty to Leary and crew that keeps her from going off the deep end in a suicidal blaze of bad-assery.
Read some David Weber, and you'll be so repeated-out that you won't even notice Drake's recaps. The one I'm reading currently (Shadow of Something or Other) actually has an entire chapter cut-and-pasted from the previous book.
If it has Drake's name on it, I'll buy it and read it and probably really enjoy it. I'm just getting tired of the stand alone conceit that causes me to be repeatedly told that Mundy doesn't really have any attachment to life or property and it's only her loyalty to Leary and crew that keeps her from going off the deep end in a suicidal blaze of bad-assery.
Read some David Weber, and you'll be so repeated-out that you won't even notice Drake's recaps. The one I'm reading currently (Shadow of Something or Other) actually has an entire chapter cut-and-pasted from the previous book.
I have. Dropped out after Honor got back from the prison camp. Kills me to have done so. I really enjoyed the first several books.
Keeping up with my Star Wars crusade, I've recently finished The Old Republic: Annihilation and The Last Jedi. Both were OK, but certain things felt off with both.
Just finished Richard Stark's The Dame. It wasn't that good, and I really like Grofield in the Parkerverse. It was a neat little experiment at a "whodonit" that he couldn't do with Parker, but ultimately it failed.
Next up is either James Crumley or George Pelecancos
Just wrapped up Some Golden Harbor by David Drake. I've been a fan of Drake since discovering Hammer's Slammers in the early 80's. I'm incredibly happy that he's in a better place than he was when he was writing the Slammers books, but I honestly think that his writing has suffered for his improved mental health. Much as was the case with the Lord of the Isles books, the Leary/Mundy RCN novels are all conceived to be interelated but stand alone novels. That makes them pretty accessible, with just enough callback to previous books to make the idea of going back to any missed previous books appealing. Unfortunately, it also means that he reiterates character traits in every book and sometimes multiple times in any one book.
Next up: Glen Cook's An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat.
I had never even heard of David Drake till back in 2010. He was the author guest at Coast Con. Went to his panel and he is a entertaining guy. Even if he got sorta pissy when I said "Sci Fi" instead of science fiction. Still need to read some of his books.
I have to skip volume 13 of Moorcock's Eternal Champion series since I don't have a copy, and proceed on to volume 14: Earl Aubec And Other Stories.
Which edition are you reading? Wasn't Earl Aubec and Other Stories the 13th volume of the White Wolf edition, followed by the Chronicles of Castle Brass?
I've read a pretty good number of the Eternal Champion books, but most were in their original formats and not the revised omnibus editions. Never managed to make it through the Cornelius books or the Dancers at the End of Time series. They were a bit too... abstract? avant garde?
I have to skip volume 13 of Moorcock's Eternal Champion series since I don't have a copy, and proceed on to volume 14: Earl Aubec And Other Stories.
Which edition are you reading? Wasn't Earl Aubec and Other Stories the 13th volume of the White Wolf edition, followed by the Chronicles of Castle Brass?
I've read a pretty good number of the Eternal Champion books, but most were in their original formats and not the revised omnibus editions. Never managed to make it through the Cornelius books or the Dancers at the End of Time series. They were a bit too... abstract? avant garde?
I'm reading the White Wolf editions, and they list Earl Aubec as #14; The last Hawkmoon chronicle, Count Brass, is #15. The list they include inside the book is as follows:
1) The Eternal Champion 2) Von Bek 3) Hawkmoon 4) A Nomad Of The Time Streams 5) Elric: Song Of The Black Sword 6) The Roads Between The Worlds 7) Corum: The Coming Of Chaos 8) Sailing To Utopia 9) Kane Of Old Mars 10) The Dancers At The End Of Time 11) Elric: The Stealer Of Souls 12) The Prince With The Silver Hand 13) Legends From The End Of Time 14) Earl Aubec 15) Count Brass
I don't have either of the Dancers volumes, not out of choice but because I was unable to get them at the time I acquired the rest of the series -- same is true with Count Brass, but that, at least, I have in paperbacks.
I've got 2 books from Christmas that I'm excited to read. James Crumley's Wrong Case (it's main character is Milo, which I think is CW's old PI partner)
Found The Last Country (a Milo novel) at the library, and two more at a used bookstore, one of which features both characters.
Found The Last Country (a Milo novel) at the library, and two more at a used bookstore, one of which features both characters.
I started reading A Firing Offense by George Pelecanos (he is probably more famous for writing the penultimate episodes for every season of the Wire. Wallace thanks him). I've not gotten very far into the book yet. I got side tracked by work, an early Mack Bolan book (which I enjoyed a lot), and Game of Thrones on dvd. April and tax season makes reaing more serious novels nearly impossible.
Breezed right through True Crime by Max Allan Collins. If you enjoy hardboiled detective novels in period settings, I'd recommend this and the other Nate Heller books. Anyone who enjoyed Public Enemies by Brian Burroughs will especially like this one, as it delves into the gangster epidemic of the 1930s. I never thought of Collins as that great of a writer (maybe it's because he's written so many movie adaptations, which is a type of writing I've always viewed as done just for the money), but I have to admit that he crafts a solid story, and I'm always surprised multiple times by clues and twists that were right in front of me the whole time.
Currently reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. It's good so far, but it's moving a lot faster than I ever expected. It's my understanding that it spends the bulk of its time in the '70s, probably because there were more people available to interview, but I'm a little disappointed at how fast it's ripping through the Lee/Kirby/Ditko era. Sixty pages in and Ditko's already quit Spider-Man. I feel like we've jumped past an era that could have been scrutinized more, but it seems like the writer's more interested in what he can get from interviews, not analyzing the work itself. Still a fun read so far, though. I find myself still sympathetic for Kirby, but I was surprised that I found myself thinking that perhaps Ditko created a lot of his own problems. Lee may have hogged the credit and the money, but Ditko sounds really difficult to work with, with his rigid political views making him needlessly anti-social. I'm not a fan of his beliefs anyway, but there are plenty of people who share them and yet seem to be able to conduct themselves in a more personable, productive manner.
Hi everybody!!...new to the site, but feel like this feed is like an old boot...been devouring some good books here in the last couple months..Here's the best of, in my opinion: Any China Mieville novel...this man has one of the most colorful/twisted minds for fantasy that Ive seen in years. The Warded Man series...very decent The Wheel of Time: ending finally...:) Mistborn Trigoly Ready Player One..dont remember author, but a good read for children of the 70's 80's video game era All I can remember without breaking out the kindle but these are just fantasy...have delved into some Philip K. Dickish near future stuff too.....the Amped/Wired series is really good
Right now I am reading both "Turn Coat" which is from the Dresden Files and I am reading "Immortal Lycanthropes" by Hal Johnson. Both are pretty cool so far.
The third book in the Wheel of Time series, excellent story for those that like a lot of depth (or pages) in their stories. The books get a little bogged down towards the middle, but the story picks up and I'm looking forward to the just released conclusion.
The Black Company by Glen Cook
Excellent series, told in a slighty different way than the usual fantasy stuff.
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
Good historical fiction, gritty like George RR Martin, but with out the magic and fantasy elements.
Currently reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. It's good so far, but it's moving a lot faster than I ever expected. It's my understanding that it spends the bulk of its time in the '70s, probably because there were more people available to interview, but I'm a little disappointed at how fast it's ripping through the Lee/Kirby/Ditko era. Sixty pages in and Ditko's already quit Spider-Man. I feel like we've jumped past an era that could have been scrutinized more, but it seems like the writer's more interested in what he can get from interviews, not analyzing the work itself. Still a fun read so far, though. I find myself still sympathetic for Kirby, but I was surprised that I found myself thinking that perhaps Ditko created a lot of his own problems. Lee may have hogged the credit and the money, but Ditko sounds really difficult to work with, with his rigid political views making him needlessly anti-social. I'm not a fan of his beliefs anyway, but there are plenty of people who share them and yet seem to be able to conduct themselves in a more personable, productive manner.
I was thinking about picking that up, but if all you got out of that was Lee was a hog, Kirby needed sympathy and Ditko was flakey, I might have to pass as that is a pretty simplistic and well off the mark description of those guys (well, ok, maybe Ditko WAS a bit flakey), poor Don Heck always gets left out.
This isn't the thread to hash that stuff out though, but if you want to read some good history of the above gentlemen, I suggest the following reading material: Excelsiorby Stan Lee & George Mair Kirby, The King of Comicsby Mark Evanier Strange and Stranger, The world of Steve Ditkoby Blake Bell
For Comics history I would suggest: The Comic Book Heroesby Jules Pfiffer Steranko's, History of Comicsby Jim Steranko
If you're lookin to read interviews with the creative people from the 40's, 50's and 60's as well as from people from the 70's,to get the real stories from the people who were there, I suggest these magazines: Alter Ego Back Issue I also like the Jack Kirby Collector, but some of the contributing columnists tend to skew the facts as to favor Kirby, but the artwork it showcases is amazing.
I think comics history is essential for a comics fan. IMHO.
The third book in the Wheel of Time series, excellent story for those that like a lot of depth (or pages) in their stories. The books get a little bogged down towards the middle, but the story picks up and I'm looking forward to the just released conclusion.
The Black Company by Glen Cook
Excellent series, told in a slighty different way than the usual fantasy stuff.
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
Good historical fiction, gritty like George RR Martin, but with out the magic and fantasy elements.
Currently reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. It's good so far, but it's moving a lot faster than I ever expected. It's my understanding that it spends the bulk of its time in the '70s, probably because there were more people available to interview, but I'm a little disappointed at how fast it's ripping through the Lee/Kirby/Ditko era. Sixty pages in and Ditko's already quit Spider-Man. I feel like we've jumped past an era that could have been scrutinized more, but it seems like the writer's more interested in what he can get from interviews, not analyzing the work itself. Still a fun read so far, though. I find myself still sympathetic for Kirby, but I was surprised that I found myself thinking that perhaps Ditko created a lot of his own problems. Lee may have hogged the credit and the money, but Ditko sounds really difficult to work with, with his rigid political views making him needlessly anti-social. I'm not a fan of his beliefs anyway, but there are plenty of people who share them and yet seem to be able to conduct themselves in a more personable, productive manner.
I was thinking about picking that up, but if all you got out of that was Lee was a hog, Kirby needed sympathy and Ditko was flakey, I might have to pass as that is a pretty simplistic and well off the mark description of those guys (well, ok, maybe Ditko WAS a bit flakey), poor Don Heck always gets left out.
This isn't the thread to hash that stuff out though, but if you want to read some good history of the above gentlemen, I suggest the following reading material: Excelsiorby Stan Lee & George Mair Kirby, The King of Comicsby Mark Evanier Strange and Stranger, The world of Steve Ditkoby Blake Bell
For Comics history I would suggest: The Comic Book Heroesby Jules Pfiffer Steranko's, History of Comicsby Jim Steranko
If you're lookin to read interviews with the creative people from the 40's, 50's and 60's as well as from people from the 70's,to get the real stories from the people who were there, I suggest these magazines: Alter Ego Back Issue I also like the Jack Kirby Collector, but some of the contributing columnists tend to skew the facts as to favor Kirby, but the artwork it showcases is amazing.
I think comics history is essential for a comics fan. IMHO.
Actually, I was a little quick to judge, as they did end up covering things in a little more detail, at least during the time between Ditko's leaving and Kirby's. I'm guessing the lack of detail leading up to Ditko's quitting is probably due to an inability to obtain interviews with anyone able or willing to offer much insight. The chapter after that goes into Lee's struggles to adapt to the changing times, and went deeper into the comics themselves, which I find more interesting than the same old stories about disgruntled employees.
Lee comes off not so much as a credit hog, but as businessman who just happened to also be creative, so, he approaches ownership of the material quite literally. He wrote it, he was the editor, they were the artists. Therefore, he was entitled to the rewards, and they were hired to do a job. It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
And as much as I feel sympathy for Kirby, there's also a part of me that thinks his failure to stand up for himself more perhaps created more problems than they should have in the long run. I think all those years of struggling for work scared him from ever rocking the boat too much.
You're right to recommend Alter Ego and Back Issue, though. The Marvel book, while enjoyable, is still telling me stuff I basically already knew. AE and BI go much deeper.
Right now I'm alternating between Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, which is kinda-sorta like "The Da Vinci Code" for nerds and/or bibliophiles, and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, a coming-of-age high school love story thing. Not my usual cuppa, but it's really well-written and the main characters initially bond over music and comics (it takes place in 1986, and they are absolutely blown away by Watchmen).
Wrapped up Cook's An Empire Unacquanted with Defeat. I very much enjoyed it, particulary the story from which the title was taken A Soldier from An Empire Unacquanted with Defeat. My only real complaint is with the cover description referencing extensive story notes. If a short paragraph (in some cases 1-2 sentences) per story is extensive story notes, OK, I suppose, but that's not my definition of extensive.
Unfortunately, I appear to have found the Dread Empire books a bit late as it appears that Nightshade Books is liquidating assets as they start to navigate bankruptcy. End result, I'm likely to, once more, end up with differing trade dresses on my shelf. It was going to be annoying enough with two separate sizes (latest trilogy is about 1/2" shorter).
It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
You're are so right about that, dude, y'know I think I'll pick up that Marvel book after all. I feel there is so little interest in comic book history (the CGS award for best publication about comics goes to a catalogue) that this kind of stuff needs to be supported.
This week I read Junot Diaz'sBrief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao and This is How You Lose Her based on some pretty high recommendations, but despite his great descriptions I was put off by overuse of the n-bomb and lost in the numerous Spanish references (although if I hailed from an Hispanic community within one of the larger cities here in the US I am sure I would really enjoy the depth, emotion, and color they add to the narrative).
It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
You're are so right about that, dude, y'know I think I'll pick up that Marvel book after all. I feel there is so little interest in comic book history (the CGS award for best publication about comics goes to a catalogue) that this kind of stuff needs to be supported.
I interrupted my reading of Earl Aubec to purchase and read the Marvel book; it was quite insightful, and I was unable to put it down until I finished it. Highly recommended
It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
You're are so right about that, dude, y'know I think I'll pick up that Marvel book after all. I feel there is so little interest in comic book history (the CGS award for best publication about comics goes to a catalogue) that this kind of stuff needs to be supported.
I interrupted my reading of Earl Aubec to purchase and read the Marvel book; it was quite insightful, and I was unable to put it down until I finished it. Highly recommended
It really picks up when it hits the '70s. Much more detail, lots more interviews. I just reached the point where Shooter's been made EIC. I'm hoping the '80s have just as much info, as that's when I discovered Marvel.
It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
You're are so right about that, dude, y'know I think I'll pick up that Marvel book after all. I feel there is so little interest in comic book history (the CGS award for best publication about comics goes to a catalogue) that this kind of stuff needs to be supported.
I interrupted my reading of Earl Aubec to purchase and read the Marvel book; it was quite insightful, and I was unable to put it down until I finished it. Highly recommended
It really picks up when it hits the '70s. Much more detail, lots more interviews. I just reached the point where Shooter's been made EIC. I'm hoping the '80s have just as much info, as that's when I discovered Marvel.
For the most part, the book is excellent, but it has its odd skips. I was surprised that George Perez got such slight mention, as if his contributions didn't mean a whole lot. And there was nothing at all about Carmine Infantino working there in the late 70's; I would have thought having DC's premiere artist of the 50's and 60's, former art director and former publisher working on several of their titles, especially the Star Wars book, would have merited some comment. Still, it was an engrossing read.
Comments
Next up: Glen Cook's An Empire Unacquainted with Defeat.
Is (Wordy Title) a new series from Cook?
As far as Cook goes, nope. It's a collection of the short story works from the Dread Empire series. I'm also a huge fan of Cook. The Black Company books are extraordinary and have led me to most of his other works, though I haven't embraced the Garrett P.I. books - I'm not huge on cross-genre stuff (though I may try again - I've really enjoyed Cherryh's Foreigner books and they're certainly cross-genre political thriller - SF works.
Next up is either James Crumley or George Pelecancos
I've read a pretty good number of the Eternal Champion books, but most were in their original formats and not the revised omnibus editions. Never managed to make it through the Cornelius books or the Dancers at the End of Time series. They were a bit too... abstract? avant garde?
1) The Eternal Champion
2) Von Bek
3) Hawkmoon
4) A Nomad Of The Time Streams
5) Elric: Song Of The Black Sword
6) The Roads Between The Worlds
7) Corum: The Coming Of Chaos
8) Sailing To Utopia
9) Kane Of Old Mars
10) The Dancers At The End Of Time
11) Elric: The Stealer Of Souls
12) The Prince With The Silver Hand
13) Legends From The End Of Time
14) Earl Aubec
15) Count Brass
I don't have either of the Dancers volumes, not out of choice but because I was unable to get them at the time I acquired the rest of the series -- same is true with Count Brass, but that, at least, I have in paperbacks.
I've not gotten very far into the book yet. I got side tracked by work, an early Mack Bolan book (which I enjoyed a lot), and Game of Thrones on dvd. April and tax season makes reaing more serious novels nearly impossible.
Currently reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story. It's good so far, but it's moving a lot faster than I ever expected. It's my understanding that it spends the bulk of its time in the '70s, probably because there were more people available to interview, but I'm a little disappointed at how fast it's ripping through the Lee/Kirby/Ditko era. Sixty pages in and Ditko's already quit Spider-Man. I feel like we've jumped past an era that could have been scrutinized more, but it seems like the writer's more interested in what he can get from interviews, not analyzing the work itself. Still a fun read so far, though. I find myself still sympathetic for Kirby, but I was surprised that I found myself thinking that perhaps Ditko created a lot of his own problems. Lee may have hogged the credit and the money, but Ditko sounds really difficult to work with, with his rigid political views making him needlessly anti-social. I'm not a fan of his beliefs anyway, but there are plenty of people who share them and yet seem to be able to conduct themselves in a more personable, productive manner.
Bob Holly spent 16 years working for the biggest wrestling company in the world. And in this book he doesn't hold back,telling all kinds of stories.
The Warded Man series...very decent
The Wheel of Time: ending finally...:)
Mistborn Trigoly
Ready Player One..dont remember author, but a good read for children of the 70's 80's video game era
All I can remember without breaking out the kindle but these are just fantasy...have delved into some Philip K. Dickish near future stuff too.....the Amped/Wired series is really good
The third book in the Wheel of Time series, excellent story for those that like a lot of depth (or pages) in their stories. The books get a little bogged down towards the middle, but the story picks up and I'm looking forward to the just released conclusion.
The Black Company by Glen Cook
Excellent series, told in a slighty different way than the usual fantasy stuff.
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
Good historical fiction, gritty like George RR Martin, but with out the magic and fantasy elements. I was thinking about picking that up, but if all you got out of that was Lee was a hog, Kirby needed sympathy and Ditko was flakey, I might have to pass as that is a pretty simplistic and well off the mark description of those guys (well, ok, maybe Ditko WAS a bit flakey), poor Don Heck always gets left out.
This isn't the thread to hash that stuff out though, but if you want to read some good history of the above gentlemen, I suggest the following reading material:
Excelsiorby Stan Lee & George Mair
Kirby, The King of Comicsby Mark Evanier
Strange and Stranger, The world of Steve Ditkoby Blake Bell
For Comics history I would suggest:
The Comic Book Heroesby Jules Pfiffer
Steranko's, History of Comicsby Jim Steranko
If you're lookin to read interviews with the creative people from the 40's, 50's and 60's as well as from people from the 70's,to get the real stories from the people who were there, I suggest these magazines:
Alter Ego
Back Issue
I also like the Jack Kirby Collector, but some of the contributing columnists tend to skew the facts as to favor Kirby, but the artwork it showcases is amazing.
I think comics history is essential for a comics fan. IMHO.
Lee comes off not so much as a credit hog, but as businessman who just happened to also be creative, so, he approaches ownership of the material quite literally. He wrote it, he was the editor, they were the artists. Therefore, he was entitled to the rewards, and they were hired to do a job. It also sounds like Marvel's practices were no different than any other publisher's had been since the birth of the industry. Most creators simply didn't participate in the profits of their work. It would have been awesome if Silver Age Marvel had broken that mold, but it didn't, and there was probably no reason they felt they needed to.
And as much as I feel sympathy for Kirby, there's also a part of me that thinks his failure to stand up for himself more perhaps created more problems than they should have in the long run. I think all those years of struggling for work scared him from ever rocking the boat too much.
You're right to recommend Alter Ego and Back Issue, though. The Marvel book, while enjoyable, is still telling me stuff I basically already knew. AE and BI go much deeper.
Unfortunately, I appear to have found the Dread Empire books a bit late as it appears that Nightshade Books is liquidating assets as they start to navigate bankruptcy. End result, I'm likely to, once more, end up with differing trade dresses on my shelf. It was going to be annoying enough with two separate sizes (latest trilogy is about 1/2" shorter).
Next up Daniel Abraham's The King's Blood.