A guide to marvels golden age characters table of contents by jess nevins it may be hard to believe now, but once upon a time, back in the 1940s, marvel comics then known as, among other things, timely comics, had a flourishing line of superhero comics. The following is a list of marvel comics golden age characters and teams that first. Hierarchy of golden age comics 2020 edition golden age. The golden age of comic books was a period in the history of american comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s. Comic books would certainly be different without the golden age of superheroes. Notable absences from the lineup are superman, batman, and wonder woman, despite all three originating in the golden age of comic books the golden age is nominally a what if.
Golden age superheroines who were as awesome as wonder. This golden age of comics had a wealth of female characters, and the platinum age of the comic strips had a surprising number of women working behind the scenes. The publishing era following the golden age is known as the silver age, and is commonly attributed to the. The series touches on most of the major golden age heroes, and many of the minor ones.
Labonog, keston fulcher, robert cat conrad, and matt nelson. Alan scott, the bearer of the mystical starheart, is the original golden age green. Welcome to comic book plus, the site where every day is party day. The end of this era is vague and nonspecific but it is generally agreed that by the mid1950s, the silver age had begun the superman stories in this era are characterized by their everyday plots dealing with gangsters, criminals, corrupt politicians, and the like. Quality comics was a comic book company from the golden age of comic books that sold many anthology comic books that starred superheroes, many of which were adopted by dc comics when they purchased quality comics, and others were not, entering the public domain.
During this time, modern comic books were first published and enjoyed a surge of popularity. Golden age comics public domain comic books collectible. Some of the greatest writers and artist took center stage and left a legacy for generations of kids and comic book industry workers alike. See more ideas about marvel, golden age and comics. The golden age of comic books describes an era of american comic books from 1938 to 1956. The golden age is a 1993 fourissue elseworlds comic book miniseries by writer james robinson and artist paul smith. The golden age of comics comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a major industry. Some strict collectors consider the era finished by 1950. This era also comprises the early stages of the cold war, but the war years and the postwar years seem like theyre so distinct that it somehow seems. Comic book plus free and legal public domain books. We are the original and still the premier site to read and download golden and silver age comic books. Notable, longrunning titles published by quality included blackhawk, feature comics, g.
The golden age describes an era in the creation of comic books published between the years of 1938 and 1955. A new character created by two young men from cleveland was featured on the cover. The golden age of comics 19381956 technically, the golden age of comics took place between 1938 and 1956. Select the range of golden age comic books by choosing a view above. The superhero archetype was created and many wellknown characters were introduced, including superman, batman, captain marvel, captain america, and wonder woman. Golden age superheroines who were as awesome as wonder woman. Public domain super heroes is a collaborative website about public domain characters from comic books, comic strips, films, books, pulps, mythology, television, animation, folk stories, among others.
Cover of the official handbook of the marvel universe. Shortlived titles of the golden age golden age comic. The following is a list of marvel comics golden age characters and teams that first appeared in marvel comics during the golden age of comic books late. In june of 1938, national allied publications began a new comic book series, featuring several different heroes. Apr 08, 2016 unmasked prospecting obscure golden age 1st appearances. List of marvel comics golden age characters wikipedia. This category is for superheroes created during the golden age of comic books. Similar to the digital comic museum, which we wrote about last week, comic book plus contains a near inexhaustible quantity of golden and silver age comic books. In june of 1938, national allied publications began a new comicbook series, featuring several different heroes.
Years later, this prompted collectors of canadian golden age titles to call them canadian whites, a term was apparently first used by patrick loubert and michael hirsh in their the great canadian comic books study of canadian titles of the era. Over the years, bill has created many memorable podcasts devoted to the unique and groundbreaking characters featured in the golden age of comic books, generally from the late 1930s through the mid1950s. Collecting and speculating on what everybody else is doing will usually require a deep pocket book. Apr 03, 2017 the golden age of comics 19381956 technically, the golden age of comics took place between 1938 and 1956. The following 192 pages are in this category, out of 192 total. Sometimes, for personal preference, shifting tastes come. During this time, modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. There are more than a few examples of a comic book company. The end of this era is vague and nonspecific but it is generally agreed that by the mid1950s, the silver age had begun. I dont often find golden age books so this was fun. Golden age of comic books golden age comics wiki fandom. Welcome on this blog full of information about the heroes of the golden age of comics, and offcourse the comics.
It was a time when every problem, especially hitler, was solved by punching it in its fucking face. Fictional superheroes created during the golden age of comics june, 1938 until at least september, 1956. Apr 19, 2012 the golden age of comic books ran from the late 1930s until either the late 1940s or early 1950s, depending on your perspective. Plus, we also hold a large and growing selection of comic strips and pulp fiction. It concerns the golden age dc comics superheroes entering the 1950s and facing the advent of mccarthyism. The golden age of comic books ran from the late 1930s until either the late 1940s or early 1950s, depending on your perspective. The platinum age is roughly that time between 1897 and 1937 the year that detective comics launched while the golden age is from 1938 to 1955. Nor would legacies that gave birth to the silver age of superheroes. Also, while comic books consistently kept a height of 10 12 inches 26. The golden age is full of bizarre high concepts and wild characters who only. Welcome to superworld comics golden age comics browsing page. The golden age of superheroes has some of the most surprisingly powerful superheroes in comic book history.
The golden age definitively ends with the creation of the comic code authority in 1955. This category has the following 5 subcategories, out of 5 total. The golden age of comic books useful notes tv tropes. Golden age superhero generator comic book characters. Shortlived titles of the golden age shortlived titles of the golden age 3 3. The 7 best golden age superheroes youve never heard of looper. When i think of golden age comics, i think only of world war ii. Various golden age heroes and perhaps the odd villain. Purchased some golden age comic books in the wild youtube. The rich histories of many characters would not exist. In 1966, stan lee and jack kirby created the first african superpowered hero character to appear in mainstream american comics a character that would become a popular comic icon. Public domain characters who have appeared in comic books.
The golden age of comic books was a period of time when comic books were at there finest. These are the years when comics were considered a new and exciting form of art. The collections timespan ranges from the late 1930s through to the early 1960s, and includes many thousands of comic books in the superhero, scifi, and horror genres. This era also comprises the early stages of the cold war, but the war years and the postwar. Golden age comics wide selection of golden age superworld. Several lessons from the earliest days of comic books still resonate today. This category has the following 4 subcategories, out of 4 total. They became widespread and popular and many still popular comic book icons made their debut, beginning in the mid 1930s and. Concept public domain characters appears in 3902 issues. The golden age for comic books is known for plots that dont appear in modern day comics. Each week, comic book writer chris sims answers the burning.
Unmasked prospecting obscure golden age 1st appearances. They represent the beginning of what is a incredible industry. They became widespread and popular and many still popular comic book icons made their debut, beginning in the mid 1930s and ending around the mid1950s. This article will feature a look into the genesis of disney cartoon comics. Created by jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman is possibly the most recognizable comic book character to this day. Two of the most common are androids and heroes that needed to convince someone close, or the public at large, that their heroic persona and their alter ego were in fact different people. Today there are a wealth of golden and silver age comic book characters who have fallen into public domain. Quality comics was an american comic book publishing company that operated from 1937 to 1956 and was largely influential in creating the golden age of comic books. Hierarchy of golden age comics 2020 edition hierarchy of golden age comics 2020 edition 1 1. Many iconic characters were introduced in this time period and became part of american culture at a very interesting point in our history. He also contributed a brief humor strip called barberania issue 4.
The superhero archetype was created and many wellknown characters were. The wiki format allows any registered user to create any article, so we can all work together to build the site. The golden age of comic books home of the golden age of. The golden age begins with the invention of the superhero genre, usually attributed to the first appearance of superman in 1938, although the company now known as dc comics began publishing in 1935. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. The success of superman caused a number of companies to jump on the bandwagon and create their own crimefighting heroes, and then when america joined the war there was clearly perceived to be a need for patriotic heroes fighting the evil axis forces. Golden age experts of the collectors society participated in the heritage auctionscertified guaranty company poll, conducted by society members benjamin j. The golden age is a common term describing an era of comics beginning in 1938, when superman made his first comic book debut. The superman stories in this era are characterized by their everyday plots dealing with gangsters, criminals, corrupt politicians, and the like. Blonde phantom by syd shores comic book characters, comic books, fictional characters, moulin. Apr 2, 2016 a collection of images from golden age 19351955 superhero comic books, both common and obscure. The following is a list of marvel comics golden age characters and teams that first appeared in marvel comics during the golden age of comic books late 1930s and c. Purchased a small collection which included a few golden age books.
Combat, plastic man, police comics, smash comics and the spirit. Collecting comics and especially speculating on comics usually requires thinking outside the box, especially in the golden age. Dc formerly national and marvel formerly timely rose but were second to captain marvel and fawcett. Here are the four major ages for comic books in chronological order. For those who are unfamiliar, the golden age of comic books features some of the earliest works in the medium. Fashion, feminism, fantasy, and the history of comic book heroines is a comprehensively annotated collection of forgotten female comic book characters from the era of golden age comics.
The golden age definitively ends with the creation of the comic code authority. Characters air wave larry jordan larry jordan was the first hero named air wave. Captain marvel fawcett all items 3329 abominable snow monster of the north. Mar 02, 2016 here are the four major ages for comic books in chronological order. Initially it was intended for use specifically to refer to the indiginous black and white comics. This site is devoted to the golden age of comic books podcast and blog created by bill jourdain. Wonderful site on characters and history of comic books, comic strips and animation. Alfred pennyworth is bruce waynes loyal father figure and butler.
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