Graphic Novel – Mr. Daniels

 The first “comic art” is associated with Prehistoric Cave Paintings and Egyptian Hieroglyphics Juxtaposed images that were the language of the people  The introduction of the Printing Press Allowed any type of literature to be reproduced, especially comics  Most early comics were humorous and childlike in nature Based on family relationships or boyhood friendships

 It is widely believed that the Stock Market Crash is responsible for the response towards comics Society looks for another way to escape the struggles of life  Comics become more adult in nature Important comics such as Tarzan and Dick Tracy come into existence and succeed The Phantom is the first official costumed character

 With the introduction of magic and adventure in comics, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster create Superman (1938) Created quite different originally than one might expect out of the Superman today This “superhero” becomes the blueprint for all others in U.S. Comic History Shortly after, Batman is created by Bob Kane (1939) and Captain Marvel by C.C. Beck (1939)

 Comics flourished in the 1940’s, yet many agreed that limitations should be set  In 1954, the Comics Code Authority was created Limited comics in violence, sexual content, monsters, drug use, etc Mad Magazine was the only magazine to survive after this; all horror magazines died out

 Brought forth a new set of superheroes with Marvel Comics Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Thor, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer, The Hulk, and Spider-man are all introduced during this time Superheroes thought to have greater weaknesses which allows them to be more human  Becomes a huge success with the 60’s readers

 More adult comics come out in the late 1960’s and 1970’s As some horror comics died out, others went underground Barbarella, Ken Parker, The Click etc. Will Eisner spearheads this idea with the first termed graphic novel A Contract with God The highest selling comic becomes Archie

 Several times, DC and Marvel have crossed over (in the late 70’s and early 80’s) Superman vs. Spider-man (1976) Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk (1981)  By the early 1980’s, only two publications remained… DC and Marvel Gold Key (Phantom, Flash Gordon) and Harvey (Casper, Richie Rich) would end publication in the early 80’s

 With the end of several publications and a revised CCA, darker comics are created Publishing Companies  Dark Horse Comics (1986)  Valiant Comics (formerly Acclaim) (1989)  Image Comics (1992)  Defiant Comics (1993)  Vertigo Comics (a subsidiary of DC Comics) (1993)  Top Shelf Comics (1997)  Graphic Novels – a type of comic that is usually more complex and lengthy; focus on adult themed material; often encompasses a comic series

 Golden Age 1930’s to late 1940’s; modern comic books published; many superheroes debuted such as Superman, Batman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman  Silver Age 1950’s to 1970; new writers such as Stan Lee; the rise of CCA b/c of juvenile crime and the characterization of the self-doubting hero

 Bronze Age Early 1970’s to mid 1980’s; continual addition of superheroes; dark plots and real world issues found in comics, such as drug use; CCA relaxes rules  Modern Age Mid-1980’s to present; the major introduction of graphic novels; characters darker and psychologically complex – anti-hero; more independent comics found; (Watchmen thought to have started this in 1986; also called “Dark Age,” “Diamond Age,” “Iron Age,” and “Adamantium Age”)