Superman the man of steel in the golden age britannica. I was searching around for different sources and i came across this forum. This wiki follows superman only throghout the golden age. The origin of superman is the story that relates superman s arrival on earth and the beginnings of his career as a superhero. For this episode kriss and dpalm do something a little different and instead of focus on a particular character, theyre breaking down the. Dc comics characters superman, batman, robin, wonder woman. It follows the silver age of comic books, 3 and is followed by the modern age of comic books. How censors killed the weird, experimental, progressive golden. This category is for superheroes created during the golden age of comic books. Comics histories sometimes reduce the golden age to the superman. If you are a superman fan that wants have these great stories and pay a little extra, go for it right now. The golden age is a common term describing an era of comics beginning in 1938, when superman made his first comic book debut.
Kall of earthtwo is commonly referred to as the golden age superman, thus being the main superman that appeared throughout the golden age of comic books. Welcome to superworld comics golden age comics browsing page. The superhero archetype was created and many wellknown characters were introduced, including superman, batman, captain marvel, captain america, and wonder. The golden age of comic books was a period beginning in 1938 and ending in the mid 50s. The golden age omnibus volume 1 is an impressive book for the first and arguably greatest superhero of all time, even if it has some minor flaws. Throughout the golden age, comics as a medium were not yet synonymous with superheroes as a genre horror stories, funny animals, mysterysolving detectives, westerns, romances, reporters wearing a press hat, and more all remained popular throughout this period, in some cases more popular than. Golden age of comic books golden age comics wiki fandom. Truth, justice, and the birth of the superhero comic book. Select the range of golden age comic books by choosing a view above.
In this article, all dates given for various ages are approximate. Superman s origin is perhaps one of the bestknown stories in comic book history. Modern cultural logic regards comic books as a childrens medium, a decidedly minor facet of american popular culture. Just think, without the paper drives during the war the number of golden age books available to the collectors market today could be staggering. Though comics had become increasingly popular in the early 20th century, originally in newspapers in magazines and. During this time, modern comic books were first published and enjoyed a surge of popularity. The preeminent hero of the dc universe, superman s adventures have been continuously published since 1938. Superman appears in the dc comics and dark horse comics miniseries superman vs. For our finals we have to do a research project on any topic we want, and ive chosen to study comic books in relation to ww2. Comics historians divide the history of american comic books into ages. The version of superman from the golden age of comic books was also the very first version of the character. The fascinating dichotomy present in this era is that it is remembered so fondly hence the golden age moniker while it was also when comic books were at their most disposable. The odd thing here is the comic books were the source material for the movies which is becoming source material for the comics which to some feel a recycled undertaking. As shown in the original golden age comics including.
Supermans origin is perhaps one of the bestknown stories in comic book history. The amazing stylistic history of comic books 99designs. We have such a wide selection that the comics are broken out by letters. Superman superman the man of steel in the golden age. In fact, they are among the older and more desirable comics on the market. Top 100 most valuable comic books of the golden age 19381956 the 100 most valuable comic books from each age. The golden age of comic books, 19381956, its significance and its historical impact on modern comics. Although affecting the history of some superheroes, zero hour didnt significantly alter superman s history since the 1986 reboot. Sep 18, 2018 the first decade or so after superman was introduced in 1938 is generally known today as the golden age of comics, particularly when it comes to superhero books. His father was the esteemed scientist, jorl, and his mother was a librarian named lora. The golden age or golden age of comic books is an era of comic books between the late 30s and mid50s and though it is not exclusive to superhero fiction, it is important to it. Superman is perhaps the longestlived of the classic golden age superhero characters to remain in the public imagination, and, in addition to a 75year history of comic book publication, the character has also had a long career on the silver screen. Many famous heroes made their first appearance in the golden age, such as bruce wayne the golden age of comic books was a period beginning.
With superman s quick success, the demand for superman stories exceeded the creators ability to produce them. Unlike other golden age heroes in dc comics, superman, batman and wonder woman had no definitive dividing line between their silver age and golden age incarnations, since their books were never cancelled, and their characters never left the public eye. One event cited for the beginning of the golden age was the 1938 debut of superman in action. A brief history of comic books the pioneer 15001828, victorian 18281883 and platinum 18831938 ages please note. Nov 04, 2016 one thing can be said about our current comic book age. Superman complete set of 3 mnh us postage stamps scotts 3185f, 4084a and 4084k. Some strict collectors consider the era finished by 1950. Apr 03, 2017 the golden age of comics 19381956 technically, the golden age of comics took place between 1938 and 1956. The golden age of comic books describes an era of american comic books from 1938 to 1956. Feb 07, 2019 for this episode kriss and dpalm do something a little different and instead of focus on a particular character, theyre breaking down the history of comic books starting with the golden and. During this era, comic books became more popular, with the concept of superhero created and firmly established. Mar 11, 2015 hey im currently studying history in my last year of high school. The first release is this one, devoted to as the title suggests the golden age of dc comics, an era ending in 1955, when the silver age was born. 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.
Even seasoned collectors may have problems attaining comics from this era. The story has been through many revisions through decades of publication in comic books and radio, television and film adaptations. Instead, a slow accumulation of odd plot elements and devices slowly remade the characters. The man of tomorrow debuts as a quarterly, allowing for a new superman comic to be published every week. Detective comics also introduced us to batman and robin. Created in new york by jewish immigrants, the first comic book. This page will deal with the most valuable of all, golden age comic books.
With the exception of the beginning of the golden age and the beginning of the silver age, little consensus exists on startingending dates. The man of tomorrows golden age adventures continue. Through inclusions and omissions, did goldenage comics replicate the racism and sexism of us culture or question stereotypes and prejudice. The end of this era is vague and nonspecific but it is generally agreed that by the mid1950s, the silver age had begun. Dc later assigned his golden age appearances from 1938 through the early 50s to the earthtwo version of the character while his silver age counterpart existed on earthone.
Although the stories continued to carry the siegel and shuster byline, progressively more of the work was done by assistants in the siegel and shuster studio les daniels, comix. Created by jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman is possibly the most recognizable comic book character to this day. Pregolden age 193338 the birth of the modern comic book. The golden age of comic books useful notes tv tropes. The bronze age of comic books is an informal name for a period in the history of american superhero comic books usually said to run from 1970 to 1984. Oct 06, 2016 what makes this an age for comic books is that the success of the movies then change the content of the comic books to match for corporate synergy. Superman in look magazine golden age comic books cgc. This was superman, the very first comic character to have powers far beyond a normal human being. Like the invincible superman of the optimistic golden age, now is a time when anything is possible. The 8 ages of comic books by alex grand comic book historians.
Discover the golden age of comic books in under six minutes with this. Created by jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman is possibly the most. These eras include the golden age 19381950, the silver age 19561970, the bronze age 19701985, and the modern age 1985present. The collection and subsequent destruction of so many comics had an astonishing longterm effect on the collectors market. We will say that the golden age begins in 1938 and ends in 1956, when the silver age began.
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. Many iconic characters were introduced in this time period and became part of american culture at a very interesting point in our history. Get the best deals on superman golden age comics 19381955 when you shop the largest online. Oct 12, 2015 as a matter of fact, they are releasing five separate volumes, each pulling material from the 75 years book, and each highlighting a distinctive historical age in comic books. Comic books can be as pulpy or as serious or as just plain weird as you want them to be. But the modern comic book magazine format was born five years earlier.
These are the years when comics were considered a new and exciting form of art. The precise era of the golden age is disputed, though most agree that it was born with the launch of superman in 1938. Golden age comics wide selection of golden age superworld. Superman battles saboteurs, investigates a rash of plane crashes, faces a superpowered luthor and much more.
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