With the exception of the beginning of the golden age and the beginning of the silver age, little consensus exists on startingending dates. The precise era of the golden age is disputed, though most agree that it was born with the launch of superman in 1938. Shortlived titles of the golden age shortlived titles of the golden age 3 3. The golden age of comic books useful notes tv tropes.
The golden age of comic books was a period beginning in 1938 and ending in the mid50s. Golden age represents the golden age of superheroes when they went from being % share of a very small market in 1938 to a 54% share of a much larger market in 1941. The first recorded use of the term golden age was by richard a. This is the facebook page for bill jourdains golden age of comic books blog and podcast. I had this book when i was a kid and remembered the photos of the old comic book covers superman, batman, wonder woman, the spectre, daredevil, blue beetle, green giant, captain marvel, green lantern and other golden age heroes from the world war ii era. The superhero archetype was created and many wellknown characters were introduced, including superman, batman, captain marvel, captain america, and wonder. African american comic book history detectives pbs. The golden age of comic books was a period in the history of american comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s.
Labonog, keston fulcher, robert cat conrad, and matt nelson. Golden age superheroines who were as awesome as wonder. A new book chronicling the history of dc comics is going way back to see where batman and other heroes really began, and the hollywood reporter has a. Lupoff in an article, rebirth, published in issue one of the fanzine comic art in april 1960 history. It hits the ground running with the advent of the modern comic book in 1934 and. I imagine most people say this age runs until 1986, a watershed year in comics. The proliferation of comicbook movies in the past five years has coincided with a decline of not just campiness, but also selfconscious comicbook imagery. Jan 28, 2005 i used to do a column for cbm on shortlived titles of the gayour basic 35 issues. Shortlived titles of the golden age cgc comic book.
Collectible golden age comics reprints 193855 for sale. A particularly memorable elseworlds mini series by james robinson of starman fame, published by dc comics in 1993 it tells the story of the dcus golden age heroes immediately after world war ii, their problems with the rising tide of mccarthyism and government corruption, and a superpowered takeover of the us government. In june 1941, there are 57 comics, 42 of which are arguably mostly superhero based. These eras include the golden age 19381950, the silver age 19561970, the bronze age 19701985, and the modern age 1985present. Since the first awards show in 1988, the the will eisner comic industry awards has become what many in the comics industry refer to as the comic book oscars.
Notable absences from the lineup are superman, batman, and wonder woman, despite all three originating in the golden age of comic books the golden age is nominally a what if. The series touches on most of the major golden age heroes, and many of the minor ones. This timeline presents milestones, trends, and pivotal events that defined the comics medium during each of these eras. The middle decade of the last century was not a good one for the comics industry. We will say that the golden age begins in 1938 and ends in 1956, when the silver age began. Most valuable comic books comic book values comic book.
The modern age of comic books is a period in the history of american superhero comic books which is generally considered to have begun in the mid1980s and continues through the present day. Comic books with a number as its title are alphabetized by the way the name is pronounced. Scroll down to add issues to your want list and well email you when they arrive view pictures of their covers. During this time, modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. Comic books are a reflection of modern society, so as society changed, so did the comic book plots, characters and themes. Golden age greats 1994, is published by paragon publications. Youll follow the development of comics from the first appearance of the comic book format in the platinum age of the 1930s to the creation of the superhero genre in the golden age, to the current period, where comics flourish as graphic novels and blockbuster movies. In that year, dc swept away the vestiges of the silverbronze ages with crisis on infinite earths, frank miller redefined batman with the dark knight returns, and alan moore and dave gibbons did watchmen. I have a collection of old comic books ranging from superman to iron man, years ranging from 1967 to 1990i am needing to know how much they are worthi also have a marvel transformers head masters vol. Author mike benton has turned out some well researched and engaging books on comicscovering science fiction, horror, the silver age, and moreand.
We also see the introduction of batman, robin, wonder woman, flash, green lantern, aquaman, captain america and many more iconic superheros. As you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today. Even as the first small print run of the golden age comic book index was being delivered to a small number of friends and collaborators, howard keltners fragile health failed him. A complete history of american comic books shirrel. Comic book superheroes unmasked history channel aired. After the war, sales dropped dramatically and then continued to slide down throughout the 1950s. The golden age of comic books blog and podcast home. This is a contender for the next age of comics, but its here where consensus breaks down i suppose the end of the bronze age is where it really breaks down, but thats the beginning of this age, so there. The golden age is a 1993 fourissue elseworlds comic book miniseries by writer james robinson and artist paul smith. Follow the adventures of the catman, the kitten, miss victory, the hood, rocketman, jetgirl, and green lama. The golden age of comic book movies can you believe that. Age of ultron 2015, and iron man 3 20 all having been released in this century, scratch that, this decade alone.
During this time, modern comic books were first published and enjoyed a surge of popularity. Golden age comics public domain comic books collectible. Because of this, comic books are generally categorized into different ages based on when they were published. Golden age comics downloads, download golden age comics. The age where comic books were introduced, and superheroes were at their prime and their finest. The book chronicles the early years of the comic book publisher, which has brought the world batman, superman and wonder woman, with followup volumes covering the rest of the companys history.
The 8 ages of comic books 1897present by alex grand 7,539 views 2 years ago an overview of the 8 ages of comic books from 1897present day which includes key events in american history that. Yet, while dc was responsible for this first sign of new life in the comic book industry, marvel comics was able to capitalize even more from this trend as the 60s came around. If use ebays category listings as a functional example, the golden of age of comics ranges from 1938 to 1955. Comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a major industry. This book is an updated history of the american comic book by an industry insider. Our contributor found an unusual 1950s comic book at an auction, titled negro romance this was the golden age of comic books. What happens when downey ages out of playing tony stark. All comic books for sale are listed alphabetically by the first letter of the comic book s name. My wife and i were killing time, waiting for some friends of hers from college to arrive, when we wandered into barnes and noble. Collectible golden age comics reprints 193855 for sale ebay. The first period, called golden age, extends from 1938 first appearance of superman in action comics. This category collects materials related to the golden age of comic books, circa 19381955.
The golden age of comics comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a major industry. The golden age of superhero movies has yet to face its. From my vhs recordings, here is the documentary comic book superheroes unmasked, which aired on june 23rd, 2003 with commercials included. Jul 30, 2014 since the first awards show in 1988, the the will eisner comic industry awards has become what many in the comics industry refer to as the comic book oscars. New listing the golden age of comic books 19371945 richard obrien original action comics. Are we at the dawn of a golden age of comic book tv shows. Reference to lesser known comics in the golden age prompts me to communicate recent august 25th. The golden age of comic books describes an era of american comic books from 1938 to 1956. Golden age 19381956 silver age 19561970 bronze age 19701985 modern age 1985present the modern age of. A brief history of comic books the pioneer 15001828, victorian 18281883 and platinum 18831938 ages please note. Flashback golden age comic reprints comic books all regular issues are out of stock. Jun 02, 2017 comic books are a reflection of modern society, so as society changed, so did the comic book plots, characters and themes.
The golden age of comics comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a. The goal was identifying golden age comic books 19371949 with the most impressive covers. The history of american comics began in the 19th century in mass print media, in the era of. Golden age guru highlight the dawn of superhero comics with the history of the golden age. Comic books that are professionally graded by companies like the certified guarantee co cgc and receive a grade of 9.
The illustrated history taylor history of comics, vol 4. The illustrated history taylor history of comics, vol 4 benton, mike on. They became widespread and popular and many still popular comic book icons made their debut, beginning in the mid 1930s and ending around the mid1950s. Along with heroes the villians of the era return, rouges such as dr. Comics historians divide the history of american comic books into ages.
The golden age of comic books was a period in the history of american comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or. Claiming to be a new kind of comic book, the mad hatter fought crime while often composing rhymes. Heros brought from the 1940s golden age to 1960s marvel age by alex grand duration. The condition grade of a comic book is an extremely important factor to consider when buying comic books for investment. Modern cultural logic regards comic books as a childrens medium, a decidedly minor facet of american popular culture. Representations of american culture from the great depression to the cold war before beginning a historical study of comic books, it is necessary to shed our modern perception of the medium.
Apple airpods stiker, marvel comics art, comics print, comics books vintage, comics golden age, comics clipart, comics accessories, avengers. The golden age for comic books is known for plots that dont appear in modern day comics. Flashback golden age comic reprints comic books for sale. Golden age of comic books golden age comics wiki fandom. A genre that largely didnt exist prior to the year 2000, comic book movies hold three of the top 10 grossing movies of all time, avengers 2012, avengers. Bronze age comics can be found sometimes at auction, at comic book fairs and conventions, through dealers, in some comic book stores, and via ebay. Today on variant, special guests comic tom and jeff the golden age guru highlight the dawn of superhero comics with the history of the golden age. Oct 01, 2011 the golden age of dc comics is a coffee table book covering the history of dc comics from 19351956. Of the,000 copies of the comic sold on the newsstand in 1938, only about 100 remain. Top 100 most valuable comic books of the golden age 19381956 the 100 most valuable comic books from each age. Most sources point to 1956 as the beginning of the silver age of comics. The heroes and heroines from the goldenage of comics live again. In this article, all dates given for various ages are approximate. The golden age of dc comics is a coffee table book covering the history of dc comics from 19351956.
Super heroes all died out between 1950 and 1955 with only superman, batman and wonder woman and a few smaller ones still being published. The silver age of comics refers to an era that ran from 1956 to the early 1970s. Mar 02, 2016 as you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today. Two of the most common are androids and heroes that needed to convince someone close, or the public at large, that their heroic persona and their alter ego were in fact different people. The golden age of comic books blog and podcast home facebook. So, the xmen comic books are listed under x and the outer limits is listed under o.
Subcategories this category has the following 53 subcategories, out of 53 total. During approximately the first 15 years of this period, many comic book characters were redesigned, creators gained prominence in the industry, independent comics flourished, and. It concerns the golden age dc comics superheroes entering the 1950s and facing the advent of mccarthyism. The superhero archetype was created and many wellknown characters were introduced, including superman, batman, captain marvel, captain america, and wonder woman. Following world war ii, the popularity of superheroes as comic protagonists was in decline and the major comic companies switched to a number of alternative genres such as horror, romance and crime. The golden age of comic book movies can you believe that guy. Sparkle city comics is most interested in purchasing comic books pre1985, so if youre interested in selling your golden age, silver age or bronze age comics, give us a call at 8007439205. The silver age of comic books began in 1956 with a resurgence of interest in superheroes. A book i would recommend for the artwork alone, the text is short but revealing. This page will deal with the most valuable of all, golden age comic books. Here for your view is, in my opinion, the rarest of these short lived titleswow, what a magazine from 1936 featuring the first work of eisner, bailey, briefera short piece i did as my first cbm ar.
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