Established in february 1991, in queens, ny, weve got a fantastic collection of vintage books, as well as the latest new releases. The modern age of comic books is a period in the history of american superhero comic books which is generally considered to have begun in the mid1980s and continues through the present day. If you discover an old collection full of batman comics. Armed with this knowledge and a good understanding of the market, you should be able to make an informed decision about restoration.
The 8 ages of comic books by alex grand comic book. Why marvel comics silver age is popular comic book critic. The comic book pioneer created batmans arch enemy, the joker, and named the caped crusaders sidekick robin. These books cover a wide range of genres, from superhero adventure tales to horror stories, allowing you to select the type of comic that fits your particular interests. Silver age superhero comics 19561969 for sale ebay. Most valuable comic books comic book values comic book. Comic books with a number as its title are alphabetized by the way the name is pronounced.
In short, if you have any interest in comic book art and the artists that drew them, this is the book for you. We dont have an article named funnythesilverageofcomicbooks, exactly. Welcome to the silver age of comic book art facebook group, a forum for discussing all things silver age circa 19561970. 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. Any posts about jack kirbys or neal adams silver age work should post. The silver age of comic books was a period of artistic advancement and widespread. The silver age lasted from 1956 note to about 1972 although some people count everything up until 1985 as part of it, folding in the the bronze age of comic books. Visit the link to learn the factors of why i do not advocate modern age comics as good comics to invest in. A lovingly crafted tribute to the superhero comic of the 1960s, the silver age of comic book art recaptures the fourcolor visionary surge of the era, its jetage psychedelic rush of imagination and the titanic, luminous. Using comic books to explore the issues and history of nuclear power. The comic books embodied the virtues of what it was to fight evil during world war ii. Apr 01, 2004 the silver age circa 19561970 was one of the most popular and influential eras in comic book history among creators and readers alike. It was around then that i think mark was doing some of the work himself.
The history of silver age comic books cosmic comics. By the mid1950s, the comicbook industry was imperiled. Oct 22, 2012 in the comic book industry, the silver age refers to a particularly successful time in comic book production. Silver age comics is one of nycs oldest comic shops. To jacobs and jones, the real comic book heroes are the artists, writers and editors who created the grand adventures and heroes.
Carmine infantino, steve ditko, jack kirby, gil kane, joe kubert, jim steranko, neal adamsand others. Today, these now vintage items are extremely valuable for collectors, store buyers and comic book enthusiasts. Jul 25, 2014 7 lessknown but very valuable comic books why collectors want it. The silver age of comics looks at superhero comic books that were published in the midfifties to late sixties in a period that is now known as the silver age and when superheroes most of whom had been replaced by science fiction, crime and romance comics etc, once again gained popularity and grew to virtually take over the whole comic book industry basically this is still true today. Following the golden age of comic books and an interregnum in the early to mid1950s, the silver age is considered to cover the period from 1956 to circa 1970, and was succeeded by the bronze and. However, a comic book at a lower reading level might give kids the reading confidence they need while boosting reading and language skills.
While they acknowledge that comics have historically led to tragedy for their creative people, they show how realworld heroes like jack kirby, steve ditko, steve gerber, carmine infantino and many others endured tragedy to create memorable heroes and stories. The political influence of comics in america during. Sometimes referred to as the golden age of comic books, the years from the late 1930s through the early 1950s marked a period of creativity and innovation in the medium. During this time, modern comic books were first published and enjoyed a surge of popularity. This golden age saw the growth and development of the comic book industry. Weisinger was an american magazine and comic book editor best known for editing dc comics superman during the mid1950s to 1960s, in the silver age of comic books. Created by jerry siegel and joe shuster, superman is possibly the most recognizable comic book character to this day. As you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today. Avengers for all the variations of the subject on the site. The silver age of comic book art revised edition is a 196page, 9x fullcolor hardcover book and e book about comic book art in the 1960s, and how the events of that turbulent decade were mirrored in the works of 8 hall of fame comic book artists. Sparkle city comics is most interested in purchasing comic books pre1985, so if youre interested in selling your golden age, silver age or bronze age comics, give us a call at 8007439205. The popularity and circulation of comic books about superheroes had declined following world war ii. When you are browsing the racks at your local comic book store and happen upon silver age comic books for sale, you may wonder just what it is that makes them silver.
The bcw comic book frame is an attractive black frame with a clear glass front. Golden age, comic books had a large cultural base of many ages. Mar 29, 2019 note that some comic books have been published in magazine format. The silver age of comic book art public group facebook.
Comic book frame black wood book frame for silver comics. You may want to ask in ask the tropers about whether its safe to recreate. Following the golden age of comic books and an interregnum in the early to mid1950s, the silver age is considered to cover the period from 1956 to circa 1970, and was succeeded by the bronze and modern ages. Comic book artist magazine called him one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in america, and his book the silver age of comic book art won the independent publishers award for. This size accommodates some late golden age comics published in 1951 as well as silver age comics published as late as 1965, including annuals and 80page giants published during that period. What defines the golden age from the silver age of comic books. Oct 12, 2015 paul levitz is a comic book fan who has worked as editorpublisher of the comic reader, editor of the batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 stories. Paul levitz is a comic book fan who has worked as editorpublisher of the comic reader, editor of the batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 storiesincluding an acclaimed run on legion of superheroesand a dc comics executive, finishing his 38year stint with the company as president and publisher. Historian will jacobs suggests the silver age ended in april 1970 when the man who had started it, julius schwartz, handed over green lantern starring one of the first revived heroes of the era to the newguard team of denny oneil and neal.
New exhibit shows golden age of superhero characters. From the 1930s through today comic books have expressed the trends, conventions, and concerns of american life. It is noted for the continued commercial success and artistic refinement of mainstream american comic books,markedly in the superhero genre. Arlen schumer is a member of the society of illustrators, creating comic bookstyle illustrations for advertising and editorial usage, and a foremost comic book historiancomic book artist magazine called him one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in america, and his book the silver age of comic book art won the independent publishers award for best. Vincent bernard the silver age of comic book art is a beautiful, brilliant work of love and true passion. Superheroes were passe, except for the man of steel. According to john strausbaugh of the new york times, traditional comic book historians feel that although the silver age. Fast forward a decade, and how times have changed at least in terms of comics. Comic books from the atomic age scientific american. This is a contender for the next age of comics, but its here where consensus breaks down i suppose the end of the bronze age is where it really breaks down, but thats the beginning of this age, so there. Most sources point to 1956 as the beginning of the silver age of comics. In fact, the comic book still embodies the same virtues today. The younger a comic, the less likely the book will increase in value significantly from restoration. Nov 10, 2016 well, the slogan the worlds greatest comic magazine.
This comic, based on circus gear, capes, and douglas fairbanks type heroism was so successful it heralded many other metoo characters like batman in detective comics 27, 1939. The avengers comic books category for a complete list. If you grew up reading archie or spiderman comics, you. 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.
The silver age of comic book art by arlen schumer home. What defines the golden age from the silver age of comic. Editions in a comic book series that feature the introduction of a new character, or a significant event in comic book history, are particularly sought after by collectors. I know that they will be more rare 30 years from now. December 1958 february 1959 chip n dale silver age comic book published by dell comics no. A brief history of comic books the pioneer 15001828, victorian 18281883 and platinum 18831938 ages please note. Created in new york by jewish immigrants, the first comic book superheroes were mythic saviours who could combat the nazi threat.
By the mid1950s, the comic book industry was imperiled. Building sets is a fun and interesting way to learn more about collecting comics and connect with other enthusiasts through friendly competition. Arlen schumer is a member of the society of illustrators, creating comic book style illustrations for advertising and editorial usage, and a foremost comic book historian. Why comic books are more radical than you think comic books have sometimes been decades ahead of the curve on issues of race, gender and sexuality.
This period is followed by the silver age in comics, spanning from 1956 to circa 1970. This week, our artists paired sonic the hedgehog and sonicrelated characters with other comic book characters. First appearance of the silver age or postworld war ii version of the flash, a key member of dc comics justice league. Between 1950 and 1970, comic books gained major commercial and critical success in america. An explanation of the history of silver age comic books to help when you are browsing at your local comic book shop. Read silver age comic online free and high quality. Silver age comic read silver age comic online in high quality. 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.
Although the creation of superheroes is thought of as the. So, the xmen comic books are listed under x and the outer limits is listed under o. Why comic books are more radical than you think bbc. Hence each comic is considered to be silver age if it is dated from october 1956 to december 1969. With the exception of the beginning of the golden age and the beginning of the silver age, little consensus exists on startingending dates. The silver age of comic books useful notes tv tropes. The caped crusader and his sidekick, robin, have been around since the late 1930s. All comic books for sale are listed alphabetically by the first letter of the comic book s name.
Yet, while dc was responsible for this first sign of new life in the comic book industry, marvel comics was able to capitalize even more from this trend as the 60s came around. Albert robertson, 2017 truth, justice, and the birth of the superhero comic book. In addition to the comic book registry on collectors society, as a member youll have access to the message boards, events calendar, news and more. The golden age in comic books is the era where comics became widespread and popular when many of the icons made their debut, from the 1930s1950s. The silver age of comic book art highlights the careers of eight acknowledged hall of fame artists who drew definitive versions of the industrys greatest characters, while often setting trends in the look of comic book art itself. Peter continued to pencil the comic book until 1958 when he was replaced by silver age artists ross andru and mike esposito.
Truth, justice, and the birth of the superhero comic book. Years ago, i wrote a post noting all the female characters that were introduced in dc comics starting in the late 1950s, and wondering why it all happened so suddenly. Mar 02, 2016 as you can see, comic books have gone through a clear evolutionary path to get us to where we are today. The silver age of comic book art archway publishing. The amazing stylistic history of comic books 99designs. Although most comic book series have been published in 1 of the sizes described above, some comics have been published in larger magazine formats, particularly from the late 1960s into the early 1980s. The silver age of comic book art by arlen schumer, hardcover. The silver age of comic books is the time when superheros were produced again, and it began in the 1950s and ended around 1970.
This period is noted for the birth of modern comic books, mostly defined by the innovation of the archetypical superhero. The article, titled a comic book magazine defies code bans on drug stories, documents how for the first time since its adoption 16 years ago, the code of the comics magazine association of americahas been overhauled van gelder 37. Ultimately there was 40 years of comics before the comic book that heralded the golden age 19381947 which was action comics 1, 1938, the first appearance of superman. Crazy had ended a year earlier, and i suppose marvel allowed hama to try out some other humorthemed ideas in the absence of crazy and here, hama brought in steve skeates, who was one of the very first members of what is now known as the second generation of. This era is a wiser choice in comics to invest in, as opposed to modern age comic books. Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back. Becoming a novice silver age comic books collectorcosmiccomics. Comic book artist magazine called him one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in america, and his book the silver age of comic book art won the independent publishers award for best. This size accommodates golden age comics from 1943 up to silver age comics published in 1960. Silver age comics 19561969 silver age comics provide you with a look into the past, taking you to an era of books that spanned from 1956 to 1969. Investing in lower grade silver age key issues cbsi comics. When marvel intentionally released the most generic comic.
I am sure mark kicked books to matt all the time for a quick hair cut and a shave. The colorful history of comic books and newspaper cartoon. Your comic is neatly displayed centered in a mat border you can easily access from the rear. The golden age of comic books is an epoch that saw a surge in the american comic book industry generally lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s. In this article, all dates given for various ages are approximate. The demarcation is not clearly defined, but there are a number of possibilities. This article s good article promotion has been put on hold. The comic book was the brainchild of larry hama, who was the editor of marvels crazy magazine, which was their version of mad magazine. This applies mainly to silver age comics, as noted earlier. The 100 most influential pages in comic book history. Get the best deal for silver age superhero comics 1956 1969 from the largest online selection at. 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. Matt got himself in trouble with the long arm of the law, that is another story.
As if the canadian white version of marvel mystery comics 128 special wasnt special enough, then how about different issues being reprinted within the pages of the issue. A yank weekly article, published in november of 1945, cited the estimates of the market research company of america, which found that about 70 million americans, roughly half of the u. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. The silver age of dc comics by paul levitz, hardcover.
Silver age 195669 by the mid1950s, the comicbook industry was imperiled. Superheroes were passe, except for the man of steel, a media star thanks to the adventures of superman 195357, a syndicated program appearing on the medium that had robbed comics of much of its audience. A lovingly crafted tribute to the superhero comic of the 1960s, the silver age of comic book art revised edition recaptures the fourcolor visionary surge of the era, its jet age psychedelic rush of imagination and the titanic, luminous figures, both real and imaginary, that glittered in its firmament. Legendary comics creator nicola cuti, creator of eman and moonchild the starbabe, has passed away at the age of 75. During approximately the first 15 years of this period, many comic book characters were redesigned, creators gained prominence in the industry, independent comics flourished, and larger publishing houses. Tracing the evolution of comic books by looking at the pictures, panels, and text that brought them to. A occurred in april of 1970 when the green lantern w. Westerns, silver age 195669, comics, collectibles picclick. It was a massive week for television trailers and promos, with all of the biggest assembled right here. Adventure comics 247, 1958 is notable for otto binder and al plastinos creation of the legion of superheroes. Each of the book s 40 pages contained several picture panels with accompanying text underneath. The importance of the ff simply cant be overstated, kicking off the marvel age and revolutionizing comics. The comic books above are some of the most valuable from the period, but there are many other books from the time that command a massive premium, listed below are some more valuable silver age books. Note that this is the period that spawned the adam west batman series and the superman broadway musical.
Take an article from february 4th, 1971 by laurence van gelder notes this conservatism and the shift away from it. Main redirect nombretomado creating red links in 0 articles. Not something creators used to drum up sales, but often times just carelessness on the part of creative teams. The current list of the most valuable silver age comics.