MARVEL: FIVE FABULOUS DECADES OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST COMICS by LES DANIELS
New York 1991: Henry N. Abrams

As one can probably guess from the title, this book is fully endorsed by Marvel and thus anyone looking for sharp insightful criticism of Marvel should look elsewhere.

As a tribute to Marvel though, it's a fun read detail Marvel successes, as well as its struggles during the 1950s. Interviews with a number people like Lee and Kirby, and plenty of photos of creator. Well illustrated on glossy paper.

Sometimes the book does go a little overboard on the praise (I don't view Marvel Superheroes the cartoon series as charitably as Daniels and Lee seem to) but it not entirely above poking gentle fun at Marvel (e.g. with the Whizzer's origin). Includes some info on how Marvel books are made, with a few stories from various eras reprinted near the end.

An enjoyable enough history with eye candy illustrations, as long as one takes into account that this is basically Marvel examined Disneyland style.