Everybody in his/her childhood must have read comic books. That doesn’t mean you can not read it if you are an adult. However, the point is we all liked it, read it and some of us kept a collection of our favourite comic characters. But how many of us actually know the history of comic books. when they started coming to market for the first time? how did they transformed into the format we see comics today? Today we will look into the history of comic books. We will also look into some important historical events related to comics.
Beginning
Although comics became popular in 1930s in both US and UK. The comic believe to be originated from japan way before its worldwide popularity. In US first modern comic named “Famous Funnies” was published in 1933. The term comic book gets from American comic books once being a collection of funny cartoons. Later this style was copied to present all kinds of stories and not just humour and funny cartoons.
History of comic books in Japan: (Largest comic book market)
The value of the comic book market solely in Japan was evaluated in 1995 and it was found to be around (6–7 billion US dollars). Manga is the term Japanese use for both comics and cartooning. Most Manga conform to the style created in Japan in the late nineteenth century. If we look into the history of Manga we find that the starting of Manga trace all the way back to the twelfth century. It is also believed they represent the basis for the right to left style of reading.
Adam L. Kern is the one who has proposed that kibyoshi, picture books from the late eighteenth century. It may have been the world’s first comic book. Manga is still widely read in Japan by people of all ages. It is also believed Manga books cover 25% of the total book sales in Japan.
History Of Comic Books In America:
Funnies on Parades published in 1933 was the very first comic that set up the size, format, and duration of the cutting edge comic book. The history of comic books in America is generally divided into four eras.
The Golden Age of Comic Books
Beginning of comic book industry in USA around 1930s.
Silver Age of Comic Books
This era is believed to be between the 1960s and early 1970s. Mostly because of the first successful recovery of the then-dormant superhero form, with the first comics of the Flash in Showcase.
Bronze Age of Comic Books
This era is not very well-defined however it is between the 1970s to mid 1980s.
Modern Age of Comic Books
As the name suggests this is the time, after the 1980s and comic books has taken the form we see today.
DC comics
DC Comics is one of the oldest comic industry in America whose parent company is DC entertainment founded in 1934. They published their first comics in 1937 and since then they have never looked back. Today DC Entertainment is not just related to comic industry but they have ventured into TV series, web series and Movies as well. DC comics was founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. When Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson founded this company is was named American comic book publishing company. In the year 1977 this organization officially changed its name to DC Comics.
Marvel comics
Marvel Comics is also one of the oldest comic industry in America whose parent company is Marvel entertainment. It was founded in 1939 by Martin Goodman. In the year 2009 Marvel entertainment was acquired by The Walt Disney Company with 4 billion dollar deal. In 1939 the organization was started by the name Timely Publications. Timely publication’s first comics was named Marvel comics staring Carl Burgos’ android superhero. This comic turned into huge success with 900,000 copies sold. Marvel made huge success with the help of Stanley Lieber. he was appointed as general office assistant in 1939. later we came to know Stanley Lieber as Stan lee.
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