The Lost Generation/Platinum Age
In history, there
were plenty of illustrations that were apart of magazines or some other point
of media. The very first comic was made back in 1985, while not during the lost
generation; it was made during when the lost generation was born. Comics during
this time period were a new idea that was being explored. This was
revolutionary, while it didn’t seem so at the time as they were new beginnings
but how movies, stories and inspiration today is in thanks of what came from
this time.
The very first comic was named R.F. Outcault’s
Hogan’s Alley and it stared the Yellow Kid, after that, comics boomed within
newspapers. Around 1905, Little Nemo was one of the first comics that had a
continuing storyline. The first daily comic strip was Mutt and Jeff was back in
1907 and it spun some animated shorts around 1913. While early comics focus in
imagination and humor, some series focus on other genres like adventure and
drama. Series like Annie and Buck Rogers had serialized storytelling on the
comic pages.
This age is
referred to the Platinum age, which is from 1883 to 1938, which coincides with
the lost
generation from 1901 to 1929. These ages comprised beginnings. Comics being a new concept started off doing
new things, like illustrations with storytelling, from humor to drama to
adventures. This was during World War 1 as well, but unlike World War II, there
isn’t much on comics during World War 1. I couldn’t find much on it, I believe
being a new thing that it was more of taboos that most artists probably didn’t
want to have any involvement. Which makes sense, since US was trying to stay
out of the war to begin with, so they probably try to avoid the subject.
This was a start
of something big, while it was small steps, these comic strips grew into
something more. This was a media to be explored and had potential to expand.
Future generations had jobs and new ideas to tell stories and it was thanks to
this generation that started it off.
The Great Generation/Golden Age
The Great
generation takes place alongside two ages of comic books, the end of platinum
age and golden age. Near the end of platinum age and the beginning of the great
generation, comic books started to become prominent as they were reprinting old
comic strips. This helped repackage and redistribute them to help give appeal.
With the growing turmoil of uncertainty with WWII, comics books alongside the
great generation started to fight the good fight alongside each other. This was
a time where comics and the generation were directly Intune with one another.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Jewish boys
who were struggling getting into comics; they tried to release Superman into
comic strips but it wasn’t the superman we are familiar with now a days.
However they couldn’t make the cut as they got rejections. When comic books
were looking for original stories, the two tried their hand with Superman in
Action Comics Number 1, it became an instant hit.
What made Superman so
successful is that he helped represent American immigrants at the time. A
kid
who left his home to a new world was something they could identify with, as
well kids loved to have a superhero to look up to. A modest and normal person
as Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman who can leap a building in a single
bound helped give a dynamic that kids could relate to. This paved way for many
comics with superheroes, like Captain America and Batman. This was the height
of comic books as they sold almost a million copies per issue.
During what was
going on, WWII was brewing on the other side of the world. Even though America
didn’t get involved yet, comic book writers decided to tackle the issue. One of
the first issues to focus on the subject was with superman, as he flew and
grabbed Hitler and sent him to trial. In a fantasy world, wars can almost be
avoided with someone strong like Superman.
This made its way to Germany, where one of Hitler’s men who worked on
Nazi propaganda criticized Superman and his creators Joe and Jerry for being
Jewish. Captain America was created
during the time when America went to war, in the comics he would fight
alongside the allies and help take down the axis of evil.
When America joined WWII, almost every single
comic book superhero joined the fight, whether through the pages of fighting
the Japanese and Nazis to being sent as care packages for soldiers to read
while on the front lines. Comic books would also help support by promoting war
bonds or collecting scrap to help support the war. With this influence, Wonder
Woman was created to not only help support the war but also to help encourage
strong women. While it would portray Nazis as evil villains bent on world
domination, they would never touch upon the holocaust. I am not sure why, but maybe they didn’t
know how to portray it in comic books, and felt safer with just showing their
heroes helping the allies. The Japanese would also be portrayed as monsters by
adding either exaggerated buck teeth or added fangs to add their villainy. When
WWII ended, comic books ended losing their edge, going back to stopping
mediocre criminals seemed almost step down from stopping dictators.
Comic books not
only represented this generation but helped influence them as well. They were
born alongside people who were coming to this country and seeking opportunity
for new lives. Kind of like how comic books started off with retelling of old
stories but going in with fresh stories told by the same people looking for
work. WWII, stories like Captain America, Superman, and many others were
helping the war by promoting war binds and collecting scrap. With America
united with their patriotism, this helped the allies win the war. This was
truly the greatest age for this generation and comics. People felt united and
patriotic which seems divided now a days. Comic’s books were called the golden
age for a reason, as comics had this great of influence on society compared to
today where their greatest influence is to make big budget films. Not to say
that doesn’t have an effect but doesn’t have the patriotism as the comics once
had. This was a time when comics and the people were on the same mindset and if
anything helped make comics relevant with society.
The Silent Generation/Fall and Rise of
Comics
After WWII, comic
books began to lose a bit of steam. Going back to fighting street criminals
seems small time compared to fighting the axis of evil. While some superheroes
may have gotten canceled, superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman
still held interest in readers. Comic books began expanding into new territory
like crime drama and horror. However unlike the Great Generation and Golden
Age, comics and silent generation were being perceived at what they should be
and not what they want to
After WWII, family
had pressure that the father would be the worker; the wife would be the happy
home maker and well-meaning kids. Television shows like I love Lucy and
Honeymooners, brought a wave to be family friendly. In a way this mind set
could have when comics almost had their downfall. Dr. Frederic Wertham did a
psychological study on troubled kids, and the one thing they all had in common
was comic books. He published the book,
the Seduction of the Innocent, which in it saying how violence in the comic
books are influencing the young minds, which lead a major retooling of comic
books. Superman was working outside the law, Batman and Robin had a homosexual
agenda, and Wonder Woman isn’t what a woman should be. With the changes of
after the book publication, Superman had to work closer with authority, Batman
and Robin hung out with girls and Wonder Woman had a steady boyfriend.
The changes were
known to be a part of the Comics Code Authority, it would ban supernatural,
majority of horror creatures, sexual situations and can’t portray authority in
a negative light. Comics like horror and crime dramas went out the door, but
made room for superheroes to make a comeback.
This went from the atomic age of comics to the silver age of comics.
When superheroes were
becoming stale, they needed to breathe new life into world of superheroes. DC brought back some of their familiar heroes
and had them team up alongside Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman which became
the Justice League. This pushed Marvel to create a team of superheroes on their
own. Stan Lee, wanted to make a comic that was about a family, while they cared
for each other, would argue. Thus, the Fantastic Four was born and it broke the
mold on what a family should be.
Unlike the golden
age and the great generation, where comics felt patriotic and helped unite us
as a country, the Silent generation with the atomic age and the beginning of
silver age, the country seems to have a perspective on how people should be and
act. Comics almost losing ground due to being perceived as harmful for the
youth; which like how the traditional family was supposed to be, superheroes
were perceived in a way how society wanted to mold them. However near the end,
despite the code being in place this actually pushed comics namely superheroes
to become more complex and trying to think outside of the box. Like uniting
superheroes or making them into a bickering family. While it seems they almost
became what they should have been perceived pushed them into telling better
stories and characters.
Baby Boomers/Silver and Bronze Age of
Comics
The Baby Boomers was
a generation where they broke the mold of what they should be. During the
previous generation where they would be exposed to how they should act, comics
suffered a similar fate being exposed to the comic code authority. However even
with limitations, this pushed comics and the next generation to break how they
should be and become who they want to be.
The
silver age of comics started to pick up when Stan Lee helped create super but
relatable heroes like the Hulk, where every time he is angry he gets stronger
into a menacing monster. People can relate to this as we all have some sort of
anger to work out. Peter Parker, an average student by day but Spiderman when
his city needs him. This can be relatable to kids who want to be superheroes
and there was a teenager they can identify with since Peter has to deal with
teenage issues. One of the most influential comics that came out during the
time was the Uncanny X-Men. Individuals that were born with great abilities;
However, even though they protect people, they are feared and treated
discriminately. This represented the civil rights movements that were led by
Martin Luther king, who Professor X is, can be seen as an allegory for.
“I
couldn't have everybody bitten by a radioactive spider or zapped with gamma
rays, and it
Characters like Green Lantern
and Captain America were brought back into comics with more personality.
Captain America was revived as he was frozen after a fight in WWII and he felt
guilty that his sidekick died during the war. He also felt out of place, as his
Great Generation mindset didn’t seem to mix well with the baby boomers. Green
lantern was teamed up with Green Arrow, and they would tackle social and
current events. Green Lantern being away in space came back and felt out of
place, and Green Arrow was a spokesman for the left who tried to help people on
the streets.
Spiderman
had a big impact as well, killing off his girlfriend Gwen Stacey in comics
helped set the tone for comics that even comic characters could die and appear
more vulnerable. Stan Lee got a request to tackle an issue on drugs and he used
Spiderman to help tell the tale. However the Comic Code Authority didn’t allow
it, even if it was to tell the dangers of drugs, it still shouldn’t be
mentioned. So Marvel published the issues without approval and it was a
success, this helped change the Comic Code rules, as Green Lantern/Green Arrow
tackled the issue with Green Arrow’s sidekick getting addiction and this issue
got a letter of commendation for it.
DC
Comics tried to reinvent Wonder Woman by getting rid of her powers; she would
fight crime with her martial arts skills. This was DC’s way of trying to help
the woman’s movement by showing a down to earth woman fighting crime. However
one the feminist’s leader criticized the comic for depowering one of comic’s
strongest women. So after a few years, they gave Wonder Woman her powers back.
Dennis O’ Neil, who helped with the idea, admitted that at first he didn’t see
what he did wrong but after looking back he sees where they were coming from.
Television and movies was a powerful
thing as cartoons like Super Friends and the campy Adam West’s Batman took the
airwaves which helped the sales of comics. When the show was canceled, Batman’s
sales declined but encouraged the cape crusader to go back to his dark roots.
Superman was also reinvented with the times through a movie starring
Christopher Reeves. Truly Comics were becoming relevant again and catching the
eyes of viewers. However there was one issue that most comics steered cleared
of, which was Vietnam. Stan Lee commented that because of how times were
changing, going to war with Vietnam would seem in poor taste compared to their
1940’s counterparts.
Superheroes
weren’t the only comics that were changing. Doonesbury was a political comic
that helped reflect the times of an ever changing America. Cathy was a comic
about woman and the comic helped reflect a woman’s role in society. Underground
comics emerged and dealt with issues as well like sex and drugs, unlike their
superheroes counterparts though they dealt with anti-war sentiment.
The
Baby Boomers were alongside both the Silver age and Bronze Age of comics.
Unlike the last generation that was exposed to what they should be, entered an
age where thing became different. Sex, drugs, movements, and anti-war
sentiments helped shape the comics what we know now days. Comic superheroes
became more evolved and 3dimensional figures compared to their goody good guys
persona back in the 40’s and 50’s. This added layer to storytelling and with
television and films in full swing, superheroes became relevant again. Like in
the Golden age/Greatest Generation, comics were on the same page with their
readers and while they weren’t fighting Nazis, they were fighting drug
addictions and racism. Sure like every era, there were some downsides but
comics proved durable and they can get through the times.
Generation X meets Copper and Modern Age
Generation
X and comics like previous generations break the mold and do their own thing.
However like previous generations, there were fumbles along the way. How both
the generation and comics get through it make them stronger for it. Generation
X was known for their extreme ways of thinking and like the previous generation
broke the mold of what was expected and did their own thing, like comics eventually
did their own thing and not relied heavily on what was going around them.
In the early 80s, comics broke
out with new creators and new formats. Independent publishers would release
their comic books in black and white formats and on cheaper paper. One of the
biggest properties that were released in this format is Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles. It spawned several cartoon series, a line of action figures, and a
movie franchise.
During
this time in the 80s, heroes became reinvented to become more complex. Frank
Miller, helped redevelop Daredevil and Punisher for Marvel, and one of the
biggest changes was to reinvent an older Batman called The Dark Knight Returns.
Batman and Superman who were best friends in previous decades now have a deeper
and complex friendship, they may not always agree on how they do things but
they still respect each other. DC comics also did a giant change as they
rebooted the whole DC universe by doing Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was giant
story cross over that killed off characters and merged different universes
together. Iron Man became an alcoholic
and the Hulk’s anger issues stemmed from child abuse, while taboo in earlier
times were explored themes in the 1980s. Lex Luthor was reinvented into what
was considered one of the greatest evils of all; a corporate business man, who
represented the times of what, was considered evil.
The Watchmen was a twelve Issue
miniseries that dealt with superheroes that weren’t traditional. They were
crude, mentally unstable, and willing to do type of horrors to unite the
nations. It explored themes like the cold war with Russia, the arms race, nuclear
Armageddon, and Vietnam. It is about a group of superheroes who are divided in
the ways to help people. Some try to be traditional, others use scare tactics
By the 1990s, comics were having a
giant boom. I believe this is because of the stock market crash in the late 80s
and having few job opportunities lead to people buying comics books. Since old
comic book issues were being sold for a lot of money. Issues were being sold
like crazy as the consensus was that they can be valuable down the road be sold
10 times for what they worth. Comic Book
stores were growing and were making good profits, as companies thought there
was rejuvenation in readers and not collectors. When it was realized that these
multiple copies weren’t going to be worth much compared to the rare golden age
comics, they were stopped being bought at a frequent pace which lead to the
comic book crash. Multiple comic book stores were run out of business and
companies lost money on reprints of issues that weren’t selling and ultimately
worthless. So not only did we have a recession in the stocks but in comic books
as well. Also with the rise of the internet, people can publish their works
online and this could also contribute to which comic books shops were losing
some business.
Unfortunately, the
general mind set is comic books are for kids or not viewed as highly. A comic called Sandman created by Neil Gaiman, a horror/fantasy comic that was set in
different worlds because of dreams. One of the issues, based on a mid-summer
night’s dream, won an award known as World Fantasy Award. However the next day,
the rules of the award have changed so comics wouldn’t receive the honor again.
This just shows the mindset that some people don’t think highly of comic books.
However some do get recognition, like the famous graphic novel known as Maus: A
Survivors Tale, a graphic novel which portrayed the mice as Jews and cats as
Nazis. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992.
Batman,
also had quite a bit of change himself, with the success of Batman starring
Michael Keaton and Jack Nicolson, the dark grittiness drew fans into it.
However, after the darkness of Batman returns had parents complaining, they
went a light hearted and campiness route with Batman Forever and Batman and
Robin which was pushed away by fans. This can also be seen how folks had the
mindset that Batman like other superheroes were made for kids, but it wasn’t
until the next decade when superhero films go into full swing.
So
Generation X was a roller coaster ride with comics, they both had a recession
that hurt them financially. Comics, grown to be more for adults and all ages in
the 80s only by the 90s to be viewed as more childish or don’t get some respect
they deserve. With the dawn of the
internet can be contribute to the lack of interest of buying comics at a store
when it can be accessed by the finger tips at a keyboard. Yes comics had a wild ride alongside
Generation X, but a resurgence of popularity of comics goes with the next
generation when the movies take over.
The Millennial Generation and the future
for comics
Comic
books have endured quite a bit in the decades, they were created at times of
uncertainty, became WWII heroes by punching Adolf Hitler in the jaw, turning
into good wholesome family fun, and then becoming a reflection of society. They
evolved alongside their readers, as every generation would have some sort of
voice of what the current generation was thinking or feeling. With the new
Generation, they exploded within popular culture and spun off more cartoons,
videogames, and movies than ever before. While comic sales haven’t been the
same since the 90s crash, there were ways for them to appear in the public’s
eye, either through a box office success or some big event that would change
the comic book world.
With the Bush and Gore president
election, a certain bald DC villain threw in his hat for
Despite living in a world of
fantasy and reflection of the times, the real work does make its way into
comics. As the towers fell during September 11th, 2001, comic
characters both in books and strips were affected just as their readers. Spiderman was personally effected since it
was his hometown and he would be there trying to save as many lives he could.
Comic strips, from that devastating moment till now have paid tribute each year
in remembrance. Many comic book
companies would tribute the real men and woman who were policemen, fire
fighters and medical workers, also raising money to help the victims of the
horrible incident. To reflect the times have changed compared to the generation
of the 40s when superheroes would jump in and fight the bad guys, Stan Lee has
said in Comic Book Superheroes: Unmasked, that it would be in poor taste if we
had are superheroes punching a 
One of the biggest parallels in
comics was the giant story arc from Marvel, it was titled Civil War. A bunch of
young superheroes starred in a reality television show to stop crime, ended up
destroying a town with over 600 people dead. This lead to the government trying
to do a superhero registration act, heroes that don’t register are considered
enemies of the state and will be sent to the negative zone. Iron Man was a full
supporter of the act while Captain America opposed the act as he thought it
would impeach onto the superheroes freedom. This was a reflection of the ideas
of the Patriot Act, where in a post 9/11 America where government gave
authorities the power to acquire information through email hack, made immigration
difficult and detaining and deporting anyone suspicious of terrorism. The real
world seems to make its way closer into comics, in an ever growing reflection
of the times.
While
comics found success in videogames and cartoons, they made their way to the big
screen. While yes they have movies beforehand, it wasn’t until the success of
the X-Men, that comic book movies became a giant boom, bringing the characters
to new light. Spiderman, Batman Begins, 300, Superman Returns, and much more
became successful both financial and reception. Sure there were bumps like
Catwoman, Ghost Rider, and Daredevil have shown not all of them can be
successful but it doesn’t stop the comic book movie train. In 2008, Iron Man
started an ambitious project for Marvel and thanks to Disney’s buy out of the
company to help fund the projects, started the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Heroes like Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America pave the way for the box
office smash The Avengers. With the success if the giant multi-movie crossover,
other studios are trying to emulate it.
With Man of Steel from DC is leading into a Justice League movie, with
Batman, Wonder Woman and other DC Heroes. It’s good to be a comic book fan, as
many projects are in the works for the future, including Black Panther, X-Men
sequels and spinoffs, The
Comics
ever since their conception always reflected the times. From the 40s fighting
Nazis to the 80s where the world seemed uncertain and they seemed edgier, with
the times ever changing, they too were. The results in big feature film
adaptions make them seem even more relevant then they have, with escapism of
films and big action, they have attracted new audiences. Sure while comics too
have become reflections of the real world, they still have heroes to stand up
what is right, which gives a good sense of optimism that everything will work
out in the end.
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Coarse
Lectures
The
documentary that discussed comics: Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked
