Pinball - by Jon Chad (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this dynamic, nonfiction graphic novel, Jon Chad illustrates the little-known story of pinball--how it works and why it all matters in an age of special effects and on-screen gaming."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A richly illustrated graphic history of pinball--its origins, evolution, and enduring cultural legacy. John Chad traces the surprising, electrifying story of one of the world's most iconic arcade games.

In 1976, champion player Roger Sharpe stepped up to a pinball machine in a Manhattan courtroom. The New York City Council had convened to consider lifting the city's ban on pinball--a game that had been outlawed since 1942 for its supposed connections to gambling and organized crime.

Sharpe was there to prove that, unlike a slot machine, pinball wasn't a game of chance designed to fleece its players--it was a game of skill that required a measure of patience, coordination, and control.

To prove his point, he proclaimed that he would launch his ball into the center lane at the far end of the playfield--much like Babe Ruth famously pointing to the fences. Sharpe pulled back the plunger and released, and the fate of this industry and art form hung in the balance.

Thus opens Jon Chad's comprehensive graphic novel on the history of the captivating, capricious--and at times infuriating--game of pinball.

Tracing pinball's roots back to the Court of King Louis XIV, through the immigrant experience of early 20th-century America, the post-war boom and bust, and right up to the present day, Chad charmingly ushers readers through the myriad facets of this distinctly American pursuit.

Along the way, he captures not just the history, but also the artistry, cultural significance, and even the physics of the game.

Review Quotes

"In this nonfiction work, Chad tells the improbably exciting story of the development of the pinball machine, including the fact the game was outlawed for nearly 30 years for its connection to gambling and the mob." --New York Times

"Beautifully drawn color graphics loaded with informed historical text, here's the story of why pinball is popular and a focus of today's video-game arcade rooms." --New York Public Library, from their Best Books of 2022 list

"The author successfully packages the minutiae of pinball's existence with dynamic art and vivid coloring assisted by Luke Healy. Cracking this one open evokes the delight of snapping back the launcher in the arcade." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"This is a vibrant, colorful love letter to pinball that will leave readers longing for the sounds of the arcade... Perfect for both fans of microhistories and the history of gaming." --Booklist

About the Author

Jon Chad is obsessed with giant robots, screen-printing, and bookmaking. Chad has been commissioned by Cartoon Network to make artist books based on shows like Adventure Time and The Amazing World of Gumball. He is the author of Leo Geo, Science Comics: Volcanoes, the illustrator of Science Comics: Solar System, and the creator of the multi-format immersion narrative BAD MASK. He also drew the art package for The Jetsons pinball machine for The Pinball Company and Spooky Pinball.