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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