Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling by Frank Miller
Explore More
■ Frank MillerThe other book I read through was DC Finest: Batman Year One and Two. Year One is a much-celebrated story by Frank Miller (who also revolutionize Batman with The Dark Knight Returns) and art by David Mazzucchelli (the same team of Daredevil: Born Again). Year Two, not fondly remembered, all except that Todd McFarlane drew 3/4 of the story. I’ve no complaints about the story and collection, but some of DC’s coloring choices puzzles me.
I’ve been a big Frank Miller fan since I started collecting comics. His Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One books literally redefined Batman to the character he is known today.
In his hey-day, Miller was unstoppable. His Daredevil run influenced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, his Sin City’s noir black & white style influenced Jim Lee’s Deathblow, his 300 series basically launched the career of Zach Snyde, and so on. Whatever project Miller is on, I bought them, even this covers to those original First Publishing’ Lone Wolf and Cub… I love Frank Miller. However, I don’t love it all. His unique style on Valiant Comics didn’t work for me. I certainly wasn’t a fan of Dark Knight Strikes Again, the sequel that is a little 15 years too late. What I’m trying to say is that I’m not a fan of everything Miller has done, but I can’t deny what an influence he holds over the comic industry.
So yes, I’ve always wanted to get an autograph or original sketch. Unfortunately, my friend John reported that Miller was charging $80 for his “FM” scribble at MegaCon in 2022. That is way too much, in my opinion. I won’t pay for signatures, just on principle.
When the opportunity of getting his autograph via his autobiography book Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling, through Barnes & Noble’s autographed/signed book series – I bought a copy at regular retail price of $35. I hate to say it, but I didn’t really buy the book with the intention to read it (I only wanted it for FM’s signature).
After a week (seven full days), the book came in the mail – a little slower than what I’m used to with Amazon. I guess I’m just spoiled with Amazon, as I get things the same day or the slowest at two days – thanks to being a member of Amazon Prime (via my brother’s account). The book is nice, published by Saga Press on July 14, 2026. I love the black gilded or sprayed edges of the paper – it really stands out from standard books.
The dust jacket has some nice premium gloss over some text and Miller’s photo. And underneath the jacket is a black and white image of Sin City’s Violent Marv. The book is on the bigger size at 6 by 8.5 inches- although I have numerous larger-sized hardcover books, the Miller book fits in with the paperback-sized books (but bigger). As you can see from the spine comparison, book publishers do not follow a standard size… so your bookshelf will always look crazy. I tried to include books that is comic-book related here, so you can see the size difference between this and the Crisis on Infinite Earths novel and the Compact Books version of Watchmen.
Like I said, I didn’t have an intention of reading the book, but I did read the two chapters on The Dark Knight Returns. I didn’t really learn anything new and exciting about Batman. I feel this 1986 series was well-documented by historians and analysts (breaking down the Ronald Reagan comic book era). I already knew that DC Comics didn’t want Frank Miller to remove the yellow oval in the Batman symbol… but I guess what I learned is that Miller got around this by scratching/destroying his suit in a battle.
Maybe there are better nuggets of information in the other chapters, but from what I read of the Batman chapters, it didn’t offer anything new. What I will say is that I liked all the color examples that the publisher used. Maybe they could have published some rarely seen young Frank Miller photos or Miller with Stan Lee or Miller working at his draft table (you do get a photo of the table, but no Miller in it). I don’t know, just unseen personal photos… instead the photos we do see are published pages from DC or Marvel comics. Most of this work I already own.
Frank Miller’s Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling book is out now.
Bonus – below is a list of all the musicians, artists, and writers, that influenced Frank Miller. Apologies if there are typo or I have missed a name:
| Neal Adams Jackie Estrada Stanley Kubrick Emily Arzeno Jonathan Evans Akira Kurosawa Terry Austin Bill Finger Ella Laytham Brian Azzarello Samuel Fuller Albert Lee Stephen Bedford Dave Gibbons Jim Lee Ryan Benjamin |
Dick Giordano Stan Lee Simon Bisley Kimberly Goldstein Sergio Leone Darren Boghosian Archie Goodwin George Lucas Ben Caldwell Chloe Gray David Mazzucchelli Christine Calella Daniel Henriquez Steve Miller Johnny Cash Klaus Janson |
Joe Monti Chris Claremont Bob Kane Glynis Oliver Johnny Craig Stephen King Denny O’Neil Geof Darrow Jack Kirby Katsuhiro Otomo Theresa DeLucci Ali Kochik Tom Palmer Flint Dille Kazuo Koike |
Lewelin Polanco Bob Dylan Goseki Kojima Jerry Robinson Clint Eastwood Andy Kubert Bob Rozakis Will Eisner Emma Kubert Josef Rubinstein Joe Shuster Walter Simonson Silenn Thomas Martin Scorsese Alex Sinclair |
Brett Valley Emma Shaw Steven Spielberg Lynn Varley Jim Shooter Mickey Spillane Bob Wiacek Bill Sienkiewicz Dick Sprang Al Williamson Jerry Siegel Philip Tan Wallace Wood Louise Simonson Caroline Tew |
|---|
P.S. This was the second or third time I’ve ever used B&N’s online store (I previously purchased a few 50% off Criterion Collection sale). Usually, if I need to get a book, I would just show up to their stores… but unfortunately, for these signed editions, you need to order it online. I am assuming you can always ship it to the nearest B&N and pick it up in store, but I just thought it was easier to send it to my address. I bought a few books, and one of them ended up being delivered to the wrong address. I don’t blame B&N, but I blame the USPS service. After I contacted customer service, B&N was incredibly nice and refunded the missing book. I think next time, I’ll just go into a store.
