Comics: A History

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Comics A History
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What is a comic?

• It is an impossible task to define what a comic
  book is. For some, it is any image drawn in a
  certain cartoony style for others, it is any
  combination of image and text (this can include
  anything from childrens books to airline flight
  safety cards). Some consider any sequence of
  images like cave paintings or Medieval tapestries
  as comics while others associate the medium with
  the genres of humor or fantasy.

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• Another name for a comic book (or the combination
  of words and text to tell a story) is graphic
  novel. This name better suits the newer types
  of comic books because most are not comedic in
  nature, but are thrillers or adventure stories.

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• The search for new graphic/visual communication
  and expression led to the development of the
  genre
• Beginning with hieroglyphics and prehistoric cave
  drawings- these can be considered the first
  comics
• 1st true comic Richard Fenton Outcalts The
  Yellow Kid in 1896. He was the first to use the
  speech balloons.
• Most of the first comics were humorous, thus the
  name COMIC Books. They were often about animals
  or children.
• The crash of the Stock Market in 1929 was a
  turning point in the 1930s, comic books began to
  picture adventures. Ex. Flash Gordon, Dick
  Tracy, and Tarzan.
• There were three essential types science
  fiction, detective, and jungle adventure

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• The typical American comic was born Superhero
  comics!
• Superman is the landmark for the golden age of
  comics. He is the archetype for most modern
  characters.
• Between 1940-1945, four hundred superheroes were
  created Batman, Captain Marvel, etc.

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• During WW II, many comics dealt with the subject
  matter and were used as a way to increase support
  for the military and the country. Ex. Captain
  America.
• In the 40s, the magazine form was created.
• In the 50s, a witch hunt occurred when Frederic
  Wertham wrote the book The Seduction of the
  Innocent about the comics causing adolescent
  delinquency, inciting violence, etc.
• A Comics Code was created to limit what
  could/could not appear in print. It destroyed
  many titles including all horror comics
• Peanuts was created during this time.

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• In the 60s, Superheroes were brought back with
  Stan Lees Marvel Comic BooksSpider-Man, X-Men,
  etc.
• There has been much growth since then. Many
  comics have been made into TV cartoons and
  movies.
• X-Men movie trilogy
• Spiderman
• Batman
• Superman
• The Punisher
• Elecktra
• Blade
• Daredevil
• Catwoman
• Sin City
• Through a Scanner Darkly
• Watchmen