Previewing Bloomsbury Academic’s ‘Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen To Big Business’ By Paul Levitz

Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business by Paul Levitz is the first book in Bloomsbury Academic’s third wave of Marvel Age of Comics books that take a deep dive into Marvel and its storied history. But this time we get to explore the stories behind Marvel famous Bullpen from someone who lived through the years 1967-1975, albeit at the Distinguished Competitors. So, although he wasn’t working at Marvel, he knows enough people who were to make this book a must-read for comic book fans.

This book covers the years of unprecedented expansion at Marvel Comics, which made Marvel the largest comics publisher in the US by 1972. This book looks at each year from 1967 to 1975, which saw not only an explosion on monthly titles coming out from Marvel, but also new creators coming on board, as well as Stan Lee stepping down to be replaced by Roy Thomas as editor-in-chief.

Levitz explains what his perspective brings to the book:

“Getting to tell a vital piece of Marvel’s business history from the perspective of a witness, a friend to many of the key players, and a competitor who understood the important factors was a fun challenge.”

Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business is out now from Bloonsbury Academic.