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Are comic books and graphic novels just stuff for kids, or is there more to them? As we explore the fascinating comic book history, we’ll see how real-world events have found their way into comic books and vice versa, creating a major impact on the way we see things today. This journey through comic history will reveal how superhero comics have shaped and been shaped by our culture.
The Birth of Superheroes
One of the first characters to make a big splash in 1938 was, of course, Superman. Created by two poor Jewish kids from Ohio, Superman was a combination of current comic strips and pulp magazines. Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1 marked the beginning of what would later be known as the Golden Age of comics.
Superman wasn’t instantly successful, but he fit the comic book model like a glove. One of the reasons for Superman’s success was that he lived in the same world as his readers. While many stories took place in fantasy places or other countries, Superman lived in the common city. This relatability made a significant impact when considering the history of comic books.
Another reason that made Superman accessible is that he had a secret identity, a trait that would become common among comic book characters. When he wasn’t doing his job as Superman, he would deal with everyday issues, helping readers fantasize about what if they were secretly super? This concept of secret identities became a staple in superhero comics.
Superman’s popularity exploded. Issues would sell over a million copies. There was a Superman radio show, Superman lunch boxes, Superman everything. The Man of Steel’s success ushered in the Golden Age of comics, a period that would see the birth of numerous iconic superheroes.
The Dark Knight Rises
By then, Superman’s publisher, DC Comics, wanted another costumed hero. In the 27th issue of Detective Comics, Batman premiered. Unlike Superman, Batman had no superpowers. Batman, like many in the time period, was a witness to brutal crime, as his parents were murdered in front of his eyes. This origin story, a common trope in comic book history, gave Batman his motivation and dark characteristics, making him extremely popular.
Due to DC’s incredible success, other comic book publishers realized the potential of costumed characters. Other heroes began to appear, such as Green Lantern, the Flash, and The Spirit, created by the legendary Will Eisner. DC Comics was the biggest publisher, but a new competitor appeared called Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics.
The Father of Modern Comics
In 1939, the “Father of Modern Comics” appeared at Timely Comics: Stanley Martin Lieber, better known by his pen name, Stan Lee. Mr. Lee thought that comic books should appeal to an older audience. He fought an uphill battle because publishers were sure that comic books were read almost exclusively by children. They banked on it, in fact, knowing it is what kids spent their money on.
Knowing comics were geared for children, DC decided to add a new character to the mix: Robin. Robin became Batman’s child sidekick. The idea was that Robin could be a character that children could relate to. The scheme worked, and sales of Batman comics doubled.
By the same token, a new character, Captain Marvel, was created by Fawcett Comics. Captain Marvel was actually a little boy who would transform into a powerful character when he would say “Shazam”. Unfortunately, DC decided to sue when Captain Marvel began outselling Superman, whom they felt was a similar character. DC ended up winning the rights over Captain Marvel in 1954.
Golden Age Comics and World War II
When World War II began in Europe, things began to get interesting in the golden age of comics. Many comic books adopted the idea of fighting Hitler and the Nazis. The most apparent example was the first issue of Captain America, where the star-spangled hero is shown punching Hitler squarely in the mouth.
When America officially entered World War II, comics showed their support by intensifying the pro-American propaganda. Sales shot up, and World War II marked the peak of the Golden Age of comics. Patriotic heroes became a common sight, with their colorful outfits often incorporating red, white, and blue.
A new character was born around this time: Wonder Woman. Created by psychologist Charles Moulton (one of the inventors of the lie detector), Wonder Woman was essentially a female Superman introduced in 1941. Like Superman, she was super strong, and she had gadgets like a lasso that could force people to tell the truth.
Wonder Woman, like many other characters, would urge kids to support the war effort by recycling paper. Ironically, this led to comic books from this age becoming scarce, and eventually making them extremely valuable.
The Post-War Era and the Comics Code
After the war ended, politicians turned on comic books negatively. Comics began to be blamed for the cause of violence and other such things. By this time, readers began to become more interested in other topics, and popularity began to fade.
A book, “The Seduction of the Innocent,” some say nearly destroyed the comic book industry. In response, the industry created the Comics Code Authority, which was an organization that would provide seals of approval on comic book covers to assure that they were safe for children to read. Everything that was made had to be sent to be approved first.
By then, though, it was too late. Except for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, DC had to cancel most of their titles due to falling sales. By the late 1950s, many children were not familiar with comic books and turned their attention to television.
The Silver Age of Comics
DC found new success as old characters were updated, such as Green Lantern and the Flash. This period, known as the Silver Age of comics, saw a resurgence in superhero popularity. The Silver Age comic years typically span from the mid-1950s to about 1970, characterized by a shift towards science fiction themes and more complex storytelling.
Marvel Comics began to publish The Fantastic Four, a group of family and friends who gained powers from cosmic rays. Their creation marked the beginning of the “Modern Era” in comic book history. Following the trend of nuclear technology in stories, the Incredible Hulk was created as well. Other characters returned from being created years before, such as the Submariner.
The Modern Age of Comic Books
Around the time of the Vietnam War, a new rebellious generation loved characters who questioned authority. In addition, fan mail being sent made it apparent that not just very young children were reading comic books anymore. This led to Stan Lee creating the teenage superhero Spider-Man. Superheroes in comic books began to have real problems that readers could relate with. This led to an era in comic book history that made the characters seem more realistic and plausible.
Comic book artists began experimenting with new styles and techniques, pushing the boundaries of comic book art. The modern age saw a maturation of storytelling, with more complex narratives and morally ambiguous characters.
The Future of Comic Books
Comic books have migrated into a digital medium, as have many things. Paper subscriptions have become less common and more scarce. There also has been, as in the past, a “reboot” of many popular characters which have resulted in new styles and recycled stories.
We have examined the history of comic books, from the Golden Age to the Modern Era, but the question forever remains: what does the future hold for comic books? As comic book culture continues to evolve and influence mainstream media, it’s clear that these colorful pages have left an indelible mark on our society.
If you would like to know more about the history of comic books, I recommend the documentary Comic Book Confidential (affiliate link) from 1988. It is the ultimate documentary on comic books, offering insights into the golden age comics, silver age developments, and the evolution of comic book publishers and characters.