This book investigates the evolution of comic strips and comic books as a significant medium of visual storytelling in the United States and Great Britain. The authors, Alan Aldridge and George Perry, utilize their expertise in design and journalism to trace the development of the medium from its early newspaper origins to the mid-20th-century comic book boom. They present a framework that emphasizes the intersection of artistic innovation and commercial viability within the industry.

Readers and critics frequently note that this text serves as a foundational, accessible introduction to the history of the medium. Experts highlight the book's visual focus and its value as a historical record of the industry's formative years.