The age of cinematic superheroes is now, and many moviegoers may be curious to see how their favorite characters fare in print. You may also be interested in how comics first took off. From Marvel™ to DC™ and beyond, comics have a long background deeply rooted in American culture and history. Read on to learn all about the Golden Age of Comics.

The History of the Golden Age of Comics

It Started With Superman

The beginning of the Golden Age of Comics is still a contested topic today, but most agree that it started in 1938 with the publication of Action Comics #1, featuring Superman. Comic books had been around for years, but this was a huge game changer. Superman’s success brought about the familiar characters still loved today, such as Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, and Flash. Although DC Comics were essentially the face of the Golden Age, Fawcett Comics’ Captain Marvel and Marvel’s Captain America were strong contenders.

Common Themes

Super strength, and in fact superheroes, were not the only common comic book themes. Horror, science fiction, magic, and crime were also top comic shop sellers. In the midst of World War II, patriotic, pro-American heroes reflected the values of the time. Captain America, who supported war efforts and faced off against Hitler on the cover of his very first issue in 1941, became very popular. Heroes frequently faced bank robbers, gangsters, corrupt businessmen and politicians, and members of the Axis Powers. A few lasting supervillains included the Joker and Red Skull.

Fade Into the Silver Age

Superhero comics began to lose steam after the war. By the early 1950s, American interest was fading, and the massive boom in sales during the 1940s was coming to a trickle. Heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman still managed to maintain some readership. Comics would not come back into the mainstream until years later, with the start of the Silver Age.

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