superhero comics and you
DESCRIPTION
This presentation explains the origins of superhero comics and explores how the evolution of the genre reflects the U.S. experience.TRANSCRIPT
JULIAN CHAMBLISSASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY ROLLINS COLLEGE
COMIC BOOK INTERSECT WITH THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
ORIGINS
The close of the frontier triggers a
societal response. We can see it in popular
culture.
Concerns about the loss of the frontier
and the rise of cities drive activism and
dialogue.
Popular adventure fiction in Pulp
magazines reflect both frontier
mythology and urban realities.
The Great Depression challenges traditional ideas and adventures
heroes evolve.
A GOLDEN AGE
The superhero represents hope, fears, and desires
associated with the U.S. experience.
Superman is a hero for the powerless masses. His early
adventurer do indeed focus on truth (stopping corrupt
politician), justice (punishing the rich), but perhaps is
closer to social progressive than we remember. The
character establishes genre tropes as the U.S. enters
WWII.
A NEW GENRE
End of WWII triggers new genres in comics that reflect postwar
shifts.
CONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENTCONTAINMENT
Postwar anti-communism concerns affect perceptions of
comic books.
A DANGER TO THE CHILDREN
The comic industry self-regulation creates
“safer” comics, but sales decline.
SAFE FOR KIDS, BUT…
A SILVER AGE
New takes on established heroes
and allusions to Cold War concerns frame Silver Age Comics.
HEROESFOR THEATOMIC AGE
Marvel Comics debuts bringing an emotional,
questioning narrative to comic books.
MARVEL COMICS
CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLES…
James Meredith at Ole Miss Sept. 1962
Birmingham ProtestApril –May 1963
… ARE REFLECTED IN THE INTRODUCTION OF CHARACTER SUCH AS THE BLACK PANTHER (1966)
Fantastic Four #52 (1966)
Late 1960s fragmentation is also reflected in comics.
THE END OF COLD WAR CONSENSUS
Iron Man Vol. 1 #27 (1970) IRON MAN Vol. 1 #78 (Sept., 1975)
THE SEVENTIES: THE RISE OF SOCIALLY ENGAGED COMICS
Comic creators strive for greater depth and
complexity.
>>>>>>>>
POSTMODERNMOMENT
The rise of the direct market fosters a comic book shop
culture. A knowledge rich fandom supports an expanding comic
market.
Speculation in the new comic landscape
leads to contraction in the 1990s.
CLOSED
The rise of the bookstore offers an
“cross narrative bleed” between
fandoms that intersect through
comic fandom, but are not limited by it.
RELEASED IN 2000
SPIDER-MAN (2002)
HEROES (2006-2010)
Superhero comics long history and
cultural resonance allow them to serve as fuel for global media companies searching
for products with broad appeal.
