Looking For a Good Book

I first reviewed this book back in September of 2025. You can read that abbreviated review here:  https://lookingforagoodbook.com/2025/09/15/lost-marvels-no-3/  I enjoyed what I’d read, but admitted that I’d only read a portion of the actual book because that was all that was available. Within days of that review going live I received an email from the publisher offering me a complete digital copy, which I accepted.It took awhile for the book to get back into my reading queue, and at 500+ pages it was not a light read, but I am so very glad to have had a chance to read the complete book because it’s really remarkable.

This book collects the first eight issues of Savage Tales magazine – an anthology format,  larger sized, black & white comic. I was initially surprised that I didn’t recognize any of the stories, but the first issue was published in late 1985 which was a time I didn’t read any comics. For me, this makes this book even more appealing as it gives me the opportunity to read something I’d missed.

As mentioned, this is an anthology format comic. Each issue includes a collection of short stories (as few as five, as many as eight) by a variety of authors and illustrators. Some of the creative names are quite familiar to me (Archie Goodwin, Val Mayerik, Armando Gil, Herb Trimpe, Gray Morrow, etc) while others I didn’t recognize or remember from my comic-reading days.

As with any anthology, some of these stories were outstanding and an absolute joy to read, while others left something to be desired. Each of the individual issues had at least one story that I quite liked.

The title of the magazine, Savage Tales, should be a strong indicator as to what the stories will be like.  They are indeed ‘savage’ – ie: violent. This would be another reason I wouldn’t have read this in the 80’s as I was more interested in superhero or sci-fi stories. There are an awful lot of war-related stories (WWII and Vietnam specifically), which makes sense as it is easier to tell about savagery from a savage time. There are also a handful westerns and motorcycle/gang stories.

I do love the B&W art in comics, and just as with the stories, the art ranges from strong and vibrant to something looking rushed. I’ve been a big Herb Trimpe fan (which I know is almost sacrilege given his long run on The Incredible Hulk comic book), but I actually liked his work here, which he both wrote and illustrated.

This collection appears to reprint the entire magazine, including letter column and advertisements (to subscribe to the magazine), which is also really appreciated. Reading the old letters is fun, even if it does make one roll their eyes a bit. I can’t help but wonder what it might be like to read a letter I might have written 40-odd years ago.

I find it exciting to see a comic like this finally reprinted. The art and stories are timeless and even some of the art that I didn’t find too exciting still seems stronger than a lot of the ‘slick’ computer-drawn work in some of the magazines today. This works more than just as nostalgia for us, the older generation of comic readers. Younger readers will enjoy this as well.

Looking for a good book? Lost Marvels #3: Savage Tales of the 1980’s is a graphic novel collecting the first eight issues of a B&W, Marvel comic that has been overlooked or forgotten for too long.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, first through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

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Lost Marvels #3: Savage Tales of the 1980’s

authors: various

artists: various

publisher: Fantagraphics

ISBN:  9798875001390

hardcover, 544 pages