ARTS BLOCK 3:

COMICS REVIEW

The Joker: Batmans number one enemy

Lex Luthor: Supermans enemy

Doomsday: Superman

Magneto: X-mens enemy

Galactus: Fantastic fours

enemy

1930-1950: Golden Age

Comic books blossomed into a distinct

entertainment industry after 1938 when Jerome
Siegaland Joseph Shuster created Superman, the
initiator of the superhero genre that would
remain the cornerstone of the comic book
industry. When DC comics introduced Batman in
1939, it eventually pushed out the crime and
detective stories from DCs title.

1956-1971: The Silver Age

The silver age began with superhero comic

books acting to convey the prevailing social
ideology.

The superhero genre which had been used to

build consensus and morale during WWII was
now questioning Americas role as the worlds
superpower, due largely in part to the publics
perception of the Vietnam War.

1971-1980: The Bronze Age

The Bronze Age is characterized by a shift from

social issues to an emphasis on form and stylistic
details.

Comic books no longer looked through form to

the ideals, values, and conflicts of society but
began to look at the form itself. Motivated by
persistent criticism that comic book art was not
great art, comic book artists began to
experiment with color and page display.

1980-1987: The Iron Age

Indeed, in a sophisticated interplay of

postmodern intertextuality and self-reflexiveness,
many comic book heroes, such as Frank Millers
Daredevil, began to question their own heroism
and often seemed to have a tenuous grasp on
their own sanity. In fact, heroes seemed to be the
subject of comic book stories rather than the
means to tell a story.

1987-Present: Modern Age

Perhaps most importantly, the comic book

industry began marketing new issues of comic
books, such as Spiderman and X-Men, as future
collector items. In fact, during the 1990s comics
became top collector items, only less popular
than stamps and coins. Even though comic books
in 1990s had a smaller audience than in previous
eras, this audience was willing to buy more and
pay more.

Alternative Comic:

Alternative comics is a wide range of comic books

and graphics novels that spans various genre,
styles and subjects. They are more sensitive stories
and are released in small numbers for select
audiences. Examples: Raw (by Art Spiegleman),
Wierdo (By Robert Crumb), Acme Novelty Library
(by Jimmy Corrigan), Doofus, Mickey Rat Comic

Manga Comics: Print cartoons. It is a Japanese

word. Developed in 1900. Manga compromises a
broad range of subjects, action adventure, sports,
romance, games, history, drama, comedy, science
fiction, fantasy, mystery, horros, sexuality,
business. Typically in black and white. Examples:
Astro boy, Akira, Dragon Ball, Naruto