Comics A History What is a comic It

Comics: A History

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 children’s 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.

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.

• The search for new graphic/visual communication and expression led to the development of the genre – Beginning with hieroglyphics and prehistoric cave drawingsthese can be considered the first comics § 1 st true comic: Richard Fenton Outcalt’s 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 1930 s, comic books began to picture adventures. Ex. Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, and Tarzan. § There were three essential types: science fiction, detective, and jungle adventure

• 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.

• During World War 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 40 s, the magazine form was created.

• In the 50 s, 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.

• In the 60 s, Superheroes were brought back with Stan Lee’s Marvel Comic Books—Spider-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

Diversity • Graphic novels and comic books have been at the forefront for diversity. • Graphic novels have introduced superheroes that have been: – – – Female African-American Minorities Physically Different Disabled

Female Characters

African-American

Minorities

Physically Different

Disabled