Silver age comic book history

The silver age of comic books was followed by the bronze age. The silver age is the informal term applied to a specific period of comic book publishing history. During approximately the first 15 years of this period, many comic book characters were redesigned, creators gained prominence in the industry, independent comics flourished, and larger publishing houses. Nov 04, 2016 these factors led to a decline in superhero stories and a rise in comic titles that would appeal to more adult sensibilitiesthe silver age of comic books. Includes all comic books published during the period of 1956 to 1970. Most silver age marvels silver age comics are from the 1960s and typically have a 12 cent cover price especially superheroes 19611970. The debut of the new superhero the flash in 1956 is generally considered the beginning of the silver age of comic books. Read silver age comic online free and high quality. Jul 17, 2016 the ages of comic books explained people do mention the golden age, the silver age, the bronze age, and the modern age. In order to capitalize on the growing popularity of comic booksespecially those starring superheroesgoodman created timely comics. Just go to the top of the page and look in the right column. The term silver age refers to a general time period in which the comic books were originally available.

In 1837, we have the first recorded graphic novel with sequential art called the adventures of obadiah oldbuck. There would never again be the heyday of the golden age but the now well underway silver age was allowing more and more comics to be published. This starts at the platinum age through golden, silver. What size of bags and boards do i need to protect my comic. Note that this is the period that spawned the adam west batman series and the superman broadway musical, and no, this is not a coincidence. For those of you who are somewhat familiar with comic books have probably heard terms like golden age, silver age and so on. Silver age comics at atkins library is an exhibit of superhero comics published by dc comics and marvel comics during the silver age 1956 c. It is an important book in providing the background details of the industry and also in its portraits of the creators of the various comic books. The top selling comic books that begin with a are alpha flight comic books 1983 series, amazing adventures comic books 1970 series, amazing spiderman comic books 1963 series, archie comic books and avengers comic books 1963 series you can also search 7 more ways.

Depending on who you ask, either a magical time when comic books were wonderful and everyone read them, or a historical relic where everything was childish. Timely comics introduced many superhero characters during comics golden age in the 1940s, most importantly captain america, who first appeared in captain america. Because of this, comic books are generally categorized into different ages based on when they were published. We maintain a wide selection of golden age, silver age, bronze age and modern comics and collectibles. The first history of modern comic books from the silver age to the present jones, gerard, jacobs, will isbn. In this article, all dates given for various ages are approximate. The modern age of comic books is a period in the history of american superhero comic books which is generally considered to have begun in the mid1980s and continues through the present day. The golden age of comic books was a period in the history of american comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Following the golden age era, dcs silver age is largely recognized as beginning with the introduction of the barry allen incarnation of the flash in showcase v the silver age is the informal. Gerard jones and will jacobs have written a wonderful history of comic book heroes from the silver age late 50s to the present mid90s. A occurred in april of 1970 when the green lantern w. Dec 11, 20 explore ronwade712s board history of comics silver age and alternative. The ages of comic books explained people do mention the golden age, the silver age, the bronze age, and the modern age. These eras include the golden age 19381950, the silver age 19561970, the. The amazing stylistic history of comic books 99designs.

Throughout the history of comic books, publishers have made comics is different sizes. We maintain a wide selection of golden age, silver age, and bronze age comics and collectibles. Silver age comics is one of nycs oldest comic shops. They not only drew definitive versions of the mediums greatest characters, but set trends in the art of comic book storytelling. Of the golden age american comic book publishers on this list, only ten continued to publish comic books after 1960, and only three of them are still currently in business. An overview of the 8 ages of comic books from 1897present day which includes key events in american history that helped shape the timeline. Most sources point to 1956 as the beginning of the silver age of comics. Nov 10, 2016 when comparing the silverage xmen to the recordsetting sales juggernaut that the team would become in the 80s and 90s, its remarkable how things changed over this time. The new continuity stated that green arrow had originally operated alone and didnt meet roy or recruit him as speedy until after he was already established as a famous hero. In the marvel age of comics 19611978, legendary writer and editor roy thomas takes you to the heart of this seminal segment in comic history. The 8 ages of comic books by alex grand comic book. Comic book history the art and writing of arlen schumer. Comics historians divide the history of american comic books into ages.

Jul 25, 20 the silver age was preceded by the golden age and followed by the bronze and then the modern ages. The 1960s was a time of significant growth in the comics industry. These books cover a wide range of genres, from superhero adventure tales to horror stories, allowing you to select the. Dale roberts comics buys and sells comic books from the 1930s current.

These books cover a wide range of genres, from superhero adventure tales to horror stories, allowing you to select the type of comic that fits your particular interests. The comic book world of supernatural and alien powers made it an obvious target for colorful, abstract illustrations. Silver age comics 19561969 silver age comics provide you with a look into the past, taking you to an era of books that spanned from 1956 to 1969. The comics featured in this collection were published between the mid to late 1960s. Well, im up for the challenge to explain 79 years of comics. The silver age was preceded by the golden age and followed by the bronze and then the modern ages. Yet, while dc was responsible for this first sign of new life in the comic book industry, marvel comics was able to capitalize even more from this trend as the 60s came around. The silver age is significant because marks a period in the history of comic books when comic books sales had been struggling after controversy and fingerpointing regarding a link between adolescent violence and the reading of comic books. The current list of the most valuable silver age comics. Oct 06, 2016 as far as comic book history, comic books have been aroundfor a very long time. The precursor to marvel comics was founded in 1939 by pulp magazine publisher martin goodman. Far from the fullcolor glossy comic books of today, this book featured black and white reprints of popular newspaper comic strips. Last time on this irregularlyscheduled comics history feature, we talked about the earliest era of superhero comics. Hence each comic is considered to be silver age if it is dated from october 1956 to december 1969.

May 30, 2017 learn the history of comics silver age. Arlen schumer is one of the foremost historians of comic book art comic book artist magazine named him one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in america, and his coffeetable art book the silver age of comic book art won the independent book publishers award for best popular culture book. To survive, comics had turned to other genres, including science fiction. The demarcation is not clearly defined, but there are a number of possibilities.

The collections timespan ranges from the late 1930s through to the early 1960s, and includes many thousands of comic books in the superhero, scifi, and horror genres. Comics historian and movie producer michael uslan traces the origin of the silver age term to the letters. Comic books are a reflection of modern society, so as society changed, so did the comic book plots, characters and themes. Silver age of comics silver age of comic books qwe. The 8 ages of comic books by alex grand comic book historians. Established in february 1991, in queens, ny, weve got a fantastic collection of vintage books, as well as the latest new releases. The silver age of comic books was the period in comic history spanning through 1956 to 1970. The silver age of comic book art by arlen schumer, hardcover.

During this time, modern comic books were first published and enjoyed a surge of popularity. The silver age of comic books useful notes tv tropes. Following world war ii, the popularity of superheroes as comic protagonists was in decline and the major comic companies switched to a number of alternative genres such as horror, romance and crime. Far from the fullcolor glossy comic books of today, this book featured black and white reprints of. Never one of marvels hot titles, xmen was cancelled in march 1970, surviving only in reprints until the debut of the allnew, alldifferent team in 1975. The silver age lasted from 1956 note to about 1972 although some people count everything up until 1985 as part of it, folding in the the bronze age of comic books. Historian will jacobs suggests the silver age ended in april 1970 when the man who had started it, julius schwartz, handed over green lantern starring one of the first revived heroes of the era to the newguard team of denny oneil and neal. Spanning approximately 1956 to 1970, the silver age defined the public perception of comics for decades and is arguably the industrys greatest era though personally, i think. Golden age 19381956 silver age 19561970 bronze age 19701985 modern age 1985present the modern age of. Superheroes were passe, except for the man of steel, a media star thanks to the adventures of superman 195357, a syndicated program appearing on the medium that had robbed comics of much of its audience. The silver age of comics refers to an era that ran from 1956 to the early 1970s. The silver age was a creative and commercial renaissance period for the comics medium. Sparkle city comics is most interested in purchasing comic books pre1985, so if youre interested in selling your golden age, silver age or bronze age comics, give us a call at 8007439205. Mar 02, 2016 as you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today.

By the mid1950s, the comicbook industry was imperiled. Note that this is the period that spawned the adam west batman series and the superman broadway musical. Comics historian and movie producer michael uslan traces the origin of the silver age term to the. For the purpose of bag and board sizes, bcw has simplified the sizes into three groups, or ages.

This comic book starts what is now called the platinum age of comics. It marked a stylistic shift away from the industry. Silver age comic read silver age comic online in high. Silver age superhero comics 19561969 for sale ebay. With the exception of the beginning of the golden age and the beginning of the silver age, little consensus exists on startingending dates.

Hes a recognized expert on the work of hall of fame comic book. The 60s saw the first major comic book conventions start up and gain popularity. Published in 1897, the yellow kid in mcfaddens flats is considered to be the first comic book, insomuch that it bore the phrase comic book on its back cover. Theoretically sequential art goes back to the ancient egyptians, but for the sake of simplicity its good to start somewhere.

Those terms were created to describe the high points in superhero comic book popularity as the early writers of comic history were mainly superhero fans. Top rated lists for krakoa 151 items super random amazing list 35 items barbarians and warlords 180 items krakoas hall of fame 59 items my favorite characters 150 items top 150 covers of the. The runaway success of the new flash marked a vital moment in comicbook history. A lovingly crafted tribute to the superhero comic of the 1960s, the silver age of comic book art revised edition recaptures the fourcolor visionary surge of the era, its jet age psychedelic rush of imagination and the titanic, luminous figures, both real and imaginary, that glittered in its firmament. The second generation of comic book artists, takes an inside look at the artists who created the modern comic book. Accurate grading and customer satisfaction is our goal. A brief history of comic books the pioneer 15001828, victorian 18281883 and platinum 18831938 ages please note.

A lovingly crafted tribute to the superhero comic of the 1960s, the silver age of comic book art revised edition recaptures the fourcolor visionary surge of the era, its jetage psychedelic rush of imagination and the titanic, luminous figures, both real and imaginary, that glittered in its firmament. These eras include the golden age 19381950, the silver age 19561970, the bronze age 19701985, and the modern age 1985present. Based on dozens of interviews, this book carefully ch paperback. In 1899 a funny folks comic book came out, taking a close first stab at a format for many platinum age comic.

In 1899 a funny folks comic book came out, taking a close first stab at a format for many platinum age comic books. Amazing adventures, amazing spiderman, avengers, captain america, daredevil, defenders, fantastic four, hulk, iron man, journey into mystery, marvel premiere, marvel tale, mavel teamup, sgt, fury, strange tales, submariner,tales of suspense, tales to. The importance of reed crandall to comic book history by alex grand the history of comics, courtesy of superman by matthew rizzuto what happened to key golden age artists as the silver age was around the corner by alex grand. The history of silver age comic books cosmic comics. Some of the greatest comic book artists of their generation, who created some of their greatest work during the silver age of comics circa 19561970. Heros brought from the 1940s golden age to 1960s marvel age by alex grand duration. As you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today. Similar to the digital comic museum, which we wrote about last week, comic book plus contains a near inexhaustible quantity of golden and silver age comic books. As far as comic book history, comic books have been aroundfor a very long time. The history of green arrow from golden age to arrow cbr. If your a fan of the silver age, this is the best produced book, in terms of image quality, content.