About

Brett Dakin is the author of American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and the Battles of Lev Gleason (Chapterhouse) and Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos (Asia Books). His writing has appeared in Foreign Affairs, the International Herald Tribune, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Brett grew up in London and now lives in New York City with his husband--and their dog, Carl.

Featured Work

American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and the Battles of Lev Gleason

2020

Gleason was a titan among Golden Age comics publishers who fought back against the censorship campaigns and paranoia of the Red Scare. After dropping out of Harvard to fight in France, Gleason moved to New York City and eventually made it big with groundbreaking titles like Daredevil and Crime Does Not Pay.

Brett Dakin, Gleason’s great-nephew, opens up the family archives—and the files of the FBI—to take you on a journey through the publisher’s life and career. In American Daredevil, you’ll learn the truth about Gleason’s rapid rise to the top of comics, unapologetic progressive activism, and sudden fall from grace.

Whether it was Dr. Frederic Wertham and Seduction of the Innocent or the House Un-American Activities Committee, Gleason was always ready to take on the enemy.

Other Works

  • Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos

    2003