A beautifully illustrated guide to the global comics phenomenon. Every American is familiar with comic book heroes like Superman, Batman and Spider Man--but what about Bomber Girl, Bob Fish, and Rogan Gosh? Images of these international heroes--along with hundreds of others--are featured in this authoritative guide to comics around the world. Tim Pilcher and Brad Brooks examine the cultural impact of comics in over 20 countries, from Japan--where popular titles sell 6.5 million copies per week--to France, where comics are considered an art from on par with music and poetry. A sweeping global survey of the history and evolution of the medium, this informative volume is packed with fascinating stories, enlightening statistics, and colorful illustrations, many never before seen in the United States.