The first recorded use of the term "Golden Age" was by Richard A. Lupoff in an article, "Re-Birth", published in issue one of the fanzineComic Art in April 1960.[1]
History
An event cited by many as marking the beginning of the Golden Age was the 1938 debut of Superman in Action Comics #1,[2][3] published by Detective Comics[4] (predecessor of DC Comics). Superman's popularity helped make comic books a major arm of publishing,[5] which led rival companies to create superheroes of their own to emulate Superman's success.[6][7]
Patriotic heroes donning red, white, and blue were particularly popular during the time of the Second World War following the Shield's debut in 1940.[11] Many heroes of this time period battled the Axis powers, with covers such as Captain America Comics #1 (cover-dated March 1941) showing the title character punching Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.[12]
As comic books grew in popularity, publishers began launching titles that expanded into a variety of genres. Dell Comics' non-superhero characters (particularly the licensed Walt Disneyanimated-character comics) outsold the superhero comics of the day.[13] The publisher featured licensed movie and literary characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Roy Rogers and Tarzan.[14] It was during this era that noted Donald Duck writer-artist Carl Barks rose to prominence.[15] Additionally, MLJ's introduction of Archie Andrews in Pep Comics #22 (December 1941) gave rise to teen humor comics,[16] with the Archie Andrews character remaining in print well into the 21st century.[17]
At the same time in Canada, American comic books were prohibited importation under the War Exchange Conservation Act[18] which restricted the importation of non-essential goods. Canadian publishers responded to this lack of competition by producing titles of their own, informally called the Canadian Whites. While these titles flourished during the war, they did not survive the lifting of trade restrictions afterwards.
Post-war and shift from superheroes
The term Atomic Age of Comic Books is sometimes used to describe a brief time period, starting with either the end of World War II in 1945 or in 1948 with the first outcry of Fredric Wertham,[19][20] and lasting until the mid-1950s. Some authors consider this an interregnum period or an era in its own right,[21][22] but most regard it as still part of the Golden Age. During this time, the popularity of superhero comics waned. To retain reader interest, comic publishers diversified into other genres, such as war, Westerns, science fiction, romance, crime and horror.[23] Many superhero titles were canceled or converted to other genres.[citation needed]
Also during this period, the mass media with the advent of television were forcing media companies to put out comics that reflected the popular culture of the time period. Comic books focused on space, mystery, and suspense that television and other forms of media were turning to in the march toward scientific progress.[31]
According to historian Michael A. Amundson, appealing comic-book characters helped ease young readers' fear of nuclear war and neutralize anxiety about the questions posed by atomic power.[32] It was during this period that long-running humor comics debuted, including EC Comics' series Mad and Dell's series Uncle Scrooge (both in 1952).[33][34]
^Quattro, Ken (2004). "The New Ages: Rethinking Comic Book History". Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015. ... according to fanzine historian Bill Schelly, 'The first use of the words "golden age" pertaining to the comics of the 1940s was by Richard A. Lupoff in an article called'"Re-Birth' in Comic Art #1 (April 1960).
^"The Golden Age of Comics". History Detectives: Special Investigations. PBS. Retrieved February 18, 2015. The precise era of the Golden Age is disputed, though most agree that it was born with the launch of Superman in 1938.
^Hatfield, Charles (2005). Alternative Comics: An Emerging Literature (1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. p. 10. ISBN1578067197. the various Superman-inspired "costume" comics
^Vernon Madison, Nathan (January 3, 2013). Anti-Foreign Imagery in American Pulps and Comic Books, 1920–1960. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 107–108. ISBN978-0786470952.
^Morse, Ben (July 2006). "Thunderstruck". Wizard (179).
^Madrid, Mike (September 30, 2013). Divas, Dames & Daredevils: Lost Heroines of Golden Age Comics. Minneapolis, MN: Exterminating Angel Press. p. 29.
^Benton, Mike (November 1989). The Comic Book in America: An Illustrated History. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 158. ISBN0878336591.
^Duncan, Randy; J. Smith, Matthew (January 29, 2013). Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman, Volume 1. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 193–201. ISBN978-0313399237.
^Sanderson, Peter (April 4, 2017). Marvel Year By Year (Updated, Expanded ed.). DK. p. 40. ISBN978-1-4654-5550-5.
^Wertham, Fredrick (May 29, 1948). The Comics, Very Funny. Saturday Review of Literature. p. 6.
^Rhoades, Shirrel (2008). A Complete History of American Comic Books. New York: Peter Lang. p. 5. ISBN978-1433101076. OCLC175290005.
^William W. Savage, Commies, Cowboys, and Jungle Queens: Comic Books and America, 1945–1954, Wesleyan University Press, 1998, p. 111.
^Kovacs, George; Marshall, C. W. (2011). Classics and Comics. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 109. ISBN9780199734191.
^Daniel, Wallace; Gilbert, Laura (September 20, 2010). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. New York: DK Publishing. p. 51. ISBN978-0756667429. Following More Fun Comics change in focus the previous month, the displaced super-heroes Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, Aquaman, and the Shining Knight were welcomed by Adventure Comics.
^Schelly, William (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN9781605490540.
^Schoell, William (June 26, 2014). The Horror Comics: Fiends, Freaks and Fantastic Creatures, 1940–1980s. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 82. ISBN978-0786470273.
^Gertler, Nat; Lieber, Steve (July 6, 2004). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel. New York: Alpha Books. p. 178. ISBN1592572332.
^Farrell, Ken (May 1, 2006). Warman's Disney Collectibles Field Guide: Values and Identification. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 327. ISBN0896893227.
^Kiste Nyberg, Amy (February 1, 1998). Seal of Approval: The History of the Comics Code (Studies in Popular Culture). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. p. 59. ISBN087805975X.
^Shutt, Craig (2003). Baby Boomer Comics: The Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Comic Books of the 1960s!. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 20. ISBN087349668X. The Silver Age started with Showcase #4, the Flash's first appearance.