Historical Historical Development of Development of

ComicsComics

Golden Age of ComicsGolden Age of Comics

Late 1930’s – Early 1950’sLate 1930’s – Early 1950’s Development of stereotypical Development of stereotypical

“superhero” motif“superhero” motif– Every hero has strengths and Every hero has strengths and

weaknessesweaknesses– Secret identities; costumes; masksSecret identities; costumes; masks– Every hero has specific origination mythEvery hero has specific origination myth

Comic style artComic style art– Simplistic, straightforward, basic colorsSimplistic, straightforward, basic colors– Heroes are associated with specific Heroes are associated with specific

symbolssymbols Clear division of right/wrong, Clear division of right/wrong,

good/evilgood/evil– Heroes: justice, honor, traditional virtuesHeroes: justice, honor, traditional virtues– Villains: greed, power, chaos, insanityVillains: greed, power, chaos, insanity

Caucasian, predominantly maleCaucasian, predominantly male Superman, Batman, Captain Superman, Batman, Captain

America, Wonder WomanAmerica, Wonder Woman– Reflecting values of ageReflecting values of age– WWII patriotism/propagandaWWII patriotism/propaganda– Post-war baby boom, conservative Post-war baby boom, conservative

patriotismpatriotism

Silver Age of ComicsSilver Age of Comics

Appx. 1956 – 1970Appx. 1956 – 1970 Introduction of grittier themes, non-Introduction of grittier themes, non-

superhero comicssuperhero comics– Realistic plotlines, increased violenceRealistic plotlines, increased violence

Streamlined, less “comic” artStreamlined, less “comic” art– Higher quality illustrationsHigher quality illustrations– Progressive styles, more detailed panelsProgressive styles, more detailed panels

More diverse heroes/protagonistsMore diverse heroes/protagonists– Various ethnicities and backgroundsVarious ethnicities and backgrounds– More femalesMore females

Superhero teamsSuperhero teams– Justice League, Fantastic Four: emphasis on Justice League, Fantastic Four: emphasis on

cooperationcooperation– Complementary strengths/weaknessesComplementary strengths/weaknesses

More lifelike heroesMore lifelike heroes– Spider-Man (Stan Lee): young, athletic, Spider-Man (Stan Lee): young, athletic,

humoroushumorous

Bronze Age of ComicsBronze Age of Comics

Appx. 1970 – 1985Appx. 1970 – 1985 Darker plot elementsDarker plot elements

– Drug use, alcoholismDrug use, alcoholism– Increased social relevanceIncreased social relevance

Inclusion of experimental/alternative Inclusion of experimental/alternative artart– Brighter and darker framesBrighter and darker frames– Vibrant color palettesVibrant color palettes– Intricate panel detailsIntricate panel details

Team-ups: crossovers/hero alliancesTeam-ups: crossovers/hero alliances– Intersections of previously independent Intersections of previously independent

hero universeshero universes Deeper exploration of team elementsDeeper exploration of team elements

– Minority superheroes: Storm (X-Men)Minority superheroes: Storm (X-Men) Development of non-hero comicsDevelopment of non-hero comics

– Birth of Graphic NovelBirth of Graphic Novel

Modern Age of ComicsModern Age of Comics

Appx. 1985 – PresentAppx. 1985 – Present Psychologically complex charactersPsychologically complex characters Appearance of anti-heroAppearance of anti-hero

– Protagonists with questionable moralityProtagonists with questionable morality– Transformation of heroism to vigilantismTransformation of heroism to vigilantism

Publishing developmentsPublishing developments– More independent publishersMore independent publishers– Increased commercialization of major Increased commercialization of major

publisherspublishers

Transition to graphic novel formTransition to graphic novel form– Very detailed, high quality panelsVery detailed, high quality panels– Unconventional art forms, innovative Unconventional art forms, innovative

storytellingstorytelling– Negative shading (Frank Miller)Negative shading (Frank Miller)

Big budget film adaptationsBig budget film adaptations– SpawnSpawn, , X-MenX-Men, , HulkHulk– Reboots of Spider-Man, Batman, Reboots of Spider-Man, Batman,

Superman franchisesSuperman franchises

FINFIN