Superhero Comics and You

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.

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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.

Thank You!!!Dr. Julian Chambliss@JulianChambliss

Email: jchambliss@rollins.ed

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