On October 1934, the comic book called “Famous Funnies” by Max Gaines was first published by the eastern color printing company. This particular comic book contained humoristic carnival stories that were seen all over the world for the simple cost of only 10 cents. Max Gaines got the idea of creating famous funnies when he began cleaning his mother’s attic. While in the attic, he saw old newspapers, piled them up, and started looking at some of the old comic strips. He enjoyed them so much that it inspired him to create a new yet similar comic book. Mr. Gaines created other comic books as well, such as: Joe Palooka, Keeping up with Joneses, Dixie Dugan, the Nebbs, Regular Fellers, and Hairbreadth Harry. 

 

 Action Superhero

On June 1938, Joe Siegel and Joe Shuster created the first superhero, “Superman”. Superman is a superhero that saves the lives of average people from the dangers in the city of Metropolis. Twenty million people read Superman’s comic book. The popularity of the comic book was in part due because superman fights for justice. Clark Kent is Superman’s name given by his creators. Clark is the name used while he is working at the Metropolis newspaper. His creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster made Superman strong and created his powers which include picking up cars, heat vision, super breath, super strength, flying, running faster than a bullet and his body is made of steel although he looks like a regular human. He was raised by characters know as Martha and Jonathon Kent. Superman came to earth and landed on the Kent’s farm house in Smallville. Superman’s first issue was an action comic.

Bob Kane then created a superhero named “The Batman”. Batman is a superhero similar to superman but does not have super powers and instead uses gadgets. He fights against crime in the city of Gotham. Batman is actually a billionaire named Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne does not reveal his secret identity to anyone except his trusted butler Alfred.

Marvel Hero’s

Marvel has three stages of comic books Timely comics, Notable comic’s, Atlas comics and finally Marvel Comics. Timely Comics published many magazines until, Martin Goodman put a book together that would change the world and begin Marvel comics. Marvel Comics began in October 1939. The first issue of marvel comics stars the characters of  Ka-zar and Paul Gustavon. The first villain was “The Submariner”. Martin Goodman and Jack Kirby were working together and created the, Human Torch and Captain America. In addition, the first two characters Jack Kirby created that also turned into an animated television series was “Popeye and Betty Boop”. Captain America was an anti- Nazi because Captain America fought in World War II. The comic included Captain America hitting Hitler; this comic book was recently published during World War II. Capitan America and Superman were some of the comic books that integrated the war into the storyline.

Stan Lee became the next generation of comic books along with Martin Goodman. Stan Lee, Martin Goodman and Jack Kirby put together a superhero team. Jack Kirby came over from “DC comics” to create the “The Justice League”.  The Justice League is a team of superheroes from DC comics which include Batman, Martian Man Hunter, Wonder Women , The Flash , Green lantern , Hawk Girl and of course Superman. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby wanted to create another superhero team “Fantastic Four” from marvel comic super heroes. The Fantastic Four superheroes featured The Human Torch, The Invisible Women , Mr. Fantastic and The Thing. These teams of superheroes received their powers by going up to space and were hit by a radioactive cosmic cloud.

Stan Lee and the legend comic book writers created comic strips first and then comic books. Comic books are not only a form of art but also a reflection of society.     

 

 

• "A Marvelous Approach." Marvel comics in the 1980s- A brief history of marvel comics.
  30 July 2008 <http://www.geocities.com/marvel80s/mrv_hist.html>.
• "About DC comics." DC comics. 30 July 2008 <http://www.dccomics.com/about/>.