| Golden Age of Comic Books | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Time span | 1938 – 1956 |
| Related periods | |
| Preceded by | Platinum Age of Comic Books (1897–1938) |
| Followed by | Silver Age of Comic Books (1956–1970) |
TheGolden Age of Comic Books describes an era in thehistory of American comic books from 1938 to 1956. During this time, moderncomic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. Thesuperheroarchetype was created and many well-known characters were introduced, includingSuperman,Batman,Robin,Captain Marvel,Captain America, andWonder Woman.
The first recorded use of the term "Golden Age" was byRichard A. Lupoff in an article, "Re-Birth", published in issue one of thefanzineComic Art in April 1960.[1]
An event cited by many as marking the beginning of the Golden Age was the 1938 debut ofSuperman inAction Comics#1,[2][3] published byDetective Comics[4] (predecessor ofDC Comics). Superman's popularity helped make comic books a major arm of publishing,[5] which led rival companies to create superheroes of their own to emulate Superman's success.[6][7]
Between 1939 and 1941 Detective Comics and its sister company,All-American Publications, introduced popular superheroes such asBatman andRobin,Wonder Woman,The Flash,Green Lantern,Doctor Fate, theAtom,Hawkman,Green Arrow andAquaman.[8]Timely Comics, the 1940s predecessor ofMarvel Comics, had million-selling titles featuring theHuman Torch, theSub-Mariner, andCaptain America.[9] Although DC and Timely characters are well remembered today, circulation figures suggest that the best-selling superhero title of the era wasFawcett Comics'Captain Marvel Adventures with sales of about 1.4 million copies per issue. The comic was published biweekly at one point to capitalize on its popularity.[10] Another notable series wasThe Spirit byWill Eisner, which deviated from the usual publishing model of the period as a weekly multi-page supplement in theRegister and Tribune Syndicate newspapers for which Eisner held the copyright, a rare consideration for creators of that period.
Patriotic heroes donning red, white, and blue were particularly popular during the time of the Second World War following theShield's debut in 1940.[11] Many heroes of this time period battled theAxis powers, with covers such asCaptain America Comics #1 (cover-dated March 1941) showing the title character punchingNazi leaderAdolf Hitler.[12]
As comic books grew in popularity, publishers began launching titles that expanded into a variety of genres.Dell Comics' non-superhero characters (particularly the licensedWalt Disneyanimated-character comics) outsold the superhero comics of the day.[13] The publisher featured licensed movie and literary characters such asMickey Mouse,Donald Duck,Roy Rogers andTarzan.[14] It was during this era that noted Donald Duck writer-artistCarl Barks rose to prominence.[15] Additionally,MLJ's introduction ofArchie Andrews inPep Comics #22 (December 1941) gave rise toteen humor comics,[16] with the Archie Andrews character remaining in print well into the 21st century.[17]
At the same time in Canada, American comic books were prohibited importation under the War Exchange Conservation Act,[18] which restricted the importation of non-essential goods. Canadian publishers responded to this lack of competition by producing titles of their own, informally called theCanadian Whites. While these titles flourished during the war, they did not survive the lifting of trade restrictions afterwards.
The termAtomic Age of Comic Books is sometimes used to describe a brief time period, starting with either the end of World War II in 1945 or in 1948 with the first outcry of Fredric Wertham,[19][20] and lasting until the mid-1950s. Some authors consider this aninterregnum period or an era in its own right,[21][22] but most regard it as still part of the Golden Age. During this time, the popularity of superhero comics waned. To retain reader interest, comic publishers diversified into other genres, such aswar,Westerns,science fiction,romance,crime andhorror.[23] Many superhero titles were canceled or converted to other genres.[citation needed]
In 1946,DC Comics'Superboy,Aquaman andGreen Arrow were switched fromMore Fun Comics intoAdventure Comics soMore Fun could focus on humor.[24] In 1948All-American Comics, featuringGreen Lantern,Johnny Thunder andDr. Mid-Nite, was replaced withAll-American Western.[citation needed] The following year,Flash Comics andGreen Lantern were canceled.[citation needed] In 1951All Star Comics, featuring theJustice Society of America, becameAll-Star Western. The next yearStar Spangled Comics, featuring Robin, was retitledStar Spangled War Stories.[citation needed]Sensation Comics, featuringWonder Woman, was canceled in 1953.[citation needed] The only superhero comics published continuously through the entire 1950s wereAction Comics,Adventure Comics,Batman,Detective Comics,Superboy,Superman,Wonder Woman andWorld's Finest Comics.[25]Plastic Man appeared inQuality Comics'Police Comics until 1950, when its focus switched to detective stories; his solo title continued bimonthly until issue 52, cover-dated February 1955.
Timely Comics'The Human Torch was canceled with issue #35 (March 1949)[26] andMarvel Mystery Comics, featuring the Human Torch, with issue #93 (Aug. 1949) became thehorror comicMarvel Tales.[27]Sub-Mariner Comics was canceled with issue #42 (June 1949) andCaptain America Comics, by thenCaptain America's Weird Tales, with #75 (Feb. 1950).Harvey Comics'Black Cat was canceled in 1951 and rebooted as a horror comic later that year—the title would change toBlack Cat Mystery,Black Cat Mystic, and eventuallyBlack Cat Western for the final two issues, which included Black Cat stories.[28]Lev Gleason Publications'Daredevil was edged out of his title by theLittle Wise Guys in 1950.[29]Fawcett Comics'Whiz Comics,Master Comics andCaptain Marvel Adventures were canceled in 1953, andThe Marvel Family was canceled the following year.[30]
Also during this period, the mass media with the advent of television were forcing media companies to put out comics that reflected the popular culture of the time period. Comic books focused on space, mystery, and suspense that television and other forms of media were turning to in the march toward scientific progress.[31]According to historian Michael A. Amundson, appealing comic-book characters helped ease young readers' fear ofnuclear war and neutralize anxiety about the questions posed by atomic power.[32] It was during this period that long-running humor comics debuted, includingEC Comics' seriesMad and Dell's seriesUncle Scrooge (both in 1952).[33][34]
In 1953, the comic book industry hit a setback when theUnited States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency was created in order to investigate the problem ofjuvenile delinquency.[35] After the publication ofFredric Wertham'sSeduction of the Innocent the following year that claimed comics sparked illegal behavior among minors, comic book publishers such as EC'sWilliam Gaines were subpoenaed to testify in public hearings.[36] As a result, theComics Code Authority was created by theAssociation of Comics Magazine Publishers to enact self-censorship by comic book publishers.[37] At this time, EC canceled its crime and horror titles and focused primarily onMad.[37] TheSilver Age of Comic Books is recognized by some as beginning with the debut of the first successful new superhero since the Golden Age, DC Comics' newFlash, inShowcase #4 (Oct. 1956).[38][39][40]
... according to fanzine historian Bill Schelly, 'The first use of the words "golden age" pertaining to the comics of the 1940s was by Richard A. Lupoff in an article called'"Re-Birth' inComic Art #1 (April 1960).
The precise era of the Golden Age is disputed, though most agree that it was born with the launch of Superman in 1938.
since Superman inspired so many different super-heroes.
the various Superman-inspired "costume" comics
FollowingMore Fun Comics change in focus the previous month, the displaced super-heroes Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, Aquaman, and the Shining Knight were welcomed byAdventure Comics.
The Silver Age started withShowcase #4, the Flash's first appearance.
DC'sShowcase No. 4 was the comic that started the Silver Age
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