PLUS, A SNEAK PEEK: Highlighting the work of some of the industry’s top colorists — then and now…
Chronicle Books in October will be publishing The Color of Marvel, a hardcover exploration of the role color plays in comics and the artistry that goes into it.
I’ve seen a gajillion books about comics that focus on a gajillion different things, but I think this is the first one I’ve seen of its kind.
Dig the official description, followed by 13 spreads from the book:
THE COLOR OF MARVEL: MORE THAN 60 YEARS OF ICONIC COMICS ART
Introduction by Douglas Wolk
A beautifully curated visual journey through Marvel Comics, this gorgeous book explores the essential role of color in graphic storytelling, from subtle mood shifts to bold, iconic moments.
Experience Marvel’s dynamic storytelling in an eye-opening spectrum of color with this gallery of comics covers, pages, and panels. Featuring more than 300 images from across Marvel Comics’ history, this book carefully and boldly assembles moments in which color accentuates a story beat, conveys emotion, draws the viewer into a moment, guides the eye, and more.
Sequenced from white through the full rainbow spectrum to black, the collection offers a unique visual celebration of how Marvel colorists use color—both individually and in combination—to shape meaning and mood. Whether it’s the play of a costume hue, a subtle or sudden shift in environment, a burst of power, or a hint of menace, each selection makes clear the power of color in every Marvel Comics story.
Fans, artists, and graphic novel enthusiasts will gain a fresh perspective on comics through this insightful exploration of color as a fundamental element of storytelling.
KEY MOMENTS AND CHARACTERS: Showcasing the work of colorists who contribute to key series and unforgettable issues and runs of Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, The Uncanny X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Fantastic Four, The Avengers, Captain America, Black Panther, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, and more.
A CELEBRATION OF THE ART OF COLORISTS: Featuring the work of Laura Allred, Jordie Bellaire, Tamra Bonvillain, Ian Herring, Matt Hollingsworth, Richmond Lewis, Glynis Oliver, Javier Rodriguez, Alex Ross, George Roussos, Christie Scheele, Marie Severin, Lynn Varley, Matt Wilson, and many other color artists.
INTRODUCTION BY DOUGLAS WOLK: The two-time Eisner-winning author of All of the Marvels (for which he read all 27,000 Marvel comics that had been published leading up to the book’s release) contributes an informed and illuminating introduction on the themes and discoveries of viewing the comics through the prism of color.
List Price: $35.00
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 316
Size: 6″ x 9″
Publication Date: 10/20/2026
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MORE
— BRING ON THE BAD GUYS: Marvel Classic to Get 50th ANNIVERSARY Re-Release. Click here.
— Hey, Did Ya Miss It? 1975’s SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS Has Been Re-Released. Click here.
September 17, 2026
Colorists have a much more important job than a lot of people realize. My favorite colorist from the 70’s and 80’s was Bob Sharen. His work was always fantastic.
September 17, 2026
You know what, I love Spider-Man Blue. That’s a good comic.
September 17, 2026
This book seems like a missed opportunity. Echoing what another commenter said, coloring is an important part of the comics storytelling experience. But in the examples above, this book seems focused on coloring as a superficial decorative element (e.g., “Let’s organize all the purple covers together”). A more interesting approach would have been an analysis of pages in context of a scene or story and how in each example the colorist used color to set mood or move the eye around the page or provide visual clarity. Or the inherent strengths and weaknesses of flat color versus dimensional color. Or the tactical considerations of how color changes depending on the quality of the paper or printing (or digital only). This book, on the other hand, seems like it was edited by an interior decorator (the kind who arranges books on a bookshelf by color).
I wish the publisher success, but this book isn’t for me.
September 17, 2026
I have to agree with Daniel. The examples, at least, show color used in an attention-getting away but not as a way to convey settings and mood, thus moving forward a story. It seems like that’s a trend in many modern comics- to create art that makes good posters but that doesn’t necessarily tell a story. Hopefully the book includes examples of that.
September 18, 2026
Too much modern age stuff here to interest me. Had they done a Silver and Bronze Age volume(s) I might have had.