Over the past 20 years, comics have matured into a remarkably diverse art form, yet it's still not uncommon for literary reviewers to marvel at the dearth of capes and kryptonite in contemporary graphic novels. Perhaps some of the befuddlement stems from the fact that not enough readers have encountered serious comics criticism. In Reading Comics, Douglas Wolk is interested in the artier end of the comics spectrum — everything from metacomics that toy with superhero conventions to the graphic novels and memoirs of Chris Ware and Allison Bechdel.

For neophytes, Reading Comics is certainly a more thoughtful, welcoming introduction to comics than the average supercilious comic-book store employee might offer. In the first section, Wolk constructs a framework to talk about comics, drawing on ideas from literary and film criticism, particularly the auteur theory. The remainder of the book consists of 18 essays focused on a select group of cartoon artists and titles, including Grant Morrison (Seven Soldiers), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta), the Hernandez brothers (Love and Rockets), Dave Sim (Cerebus), and Art Spiegelman (Maus I & II).

With innumerable reviews, blog posts, and Comic-Con panel discussions to his credit, Wolk's insider clout is well established. While he does his best to open the world to newcomers, it is longtime fans that will likely make up Reading Comics' core audience. Wolk admits he is more interested in "starting discussions (and arguments) about comics than settling them with any kind of self-appointed authority" — his parenthetical comment winks at the legions of fans who will welcome his nearly 400 pages of strongly worded opinions as the perfect foil for a critical Battle Royale.

Wolk gracefully covers a wide range of work with real critical depth. He is upfront about what he has left out (Japanese manga and most "mainstream" DC and Marvel comics) and he meets the difficult challenge of writing engaging prose about a predominantly visual medium. That the vivid black-and-white illustrations included in Reading Comics linger long after finishing the book is a tribute to Wolk's selfless, impassioned analysis.

-Rob Tocalino