Superheroes history

The origin of superheroes comic books

Superhero comics is generally a form of American comic books. Its stories centers on the life and adventures of a superhero or a superheroine.

Superhero comic books narrates of their origins, super powers, strengths and abilities as well as the super villains they have to battle with in order to save the world.

Superhero comic books rose to prominence in the late 1930s and the 1940s. It dominated the comics scene in North America during the 1960s. Superhero characters became stars during World War II; influencing the movies, tv shows and many other forms of media and entertainment.

It became a worldwide phenomenon, reaching the heights of popularity that would match or even surpass those of actual historic figures.

The first superhero character was introduced in Action Comics No. 1, which was published in 1938 and featured a man with red cape and a blue costume. It was the birth of Superman, the first comic book character to have powers greater than any human being, setting the stage for more superhero characters to follow.

The first female superhero was introduced in 1941, Wonder Woman. She was one of the founding members of the Justice League who happens to be as famous as Superman and Batman.

In 1950, many superhero characters lost their popularity. The competition of many other comic genres started to surface and was establishing their own names, not to mention the arrival of the television. Superhero comic almost ended; however thanks to some comic book publishing companies who revamped their characters, superheroes were back on the mainstream and never wavered ever since.

And in 1970s and 1980s, comic book superheroes started showing personal flaws and issues. A sinister side to the once perfect beings began to surface and Marvel started publishing books about anti-heroes, such as the Punisher and Wolverine.

What characterize a superhero?

Superhero comic characters are heroic people who possess extraordinary and superhuman abilities, god-like powers and attributes.

They are mostly set in a fictional world where their powers can either be used to protect earth and the whole universe.

Superheroes and their superpowers

Remarkable powers, extraordinary strength, abilities, skills, advanced equipments and gadgets. These traits primarily define the nature of a superhero, their powers may vary widely and its source can come in many different bases.

Superheroes have a strong moral code

A superhero’s main mission is to protect the world, to fight evil, and save those in danger. They live by strong ethics, a moral code that includes risking their own lives at the service of good without expecting anything in return.

Superheroes are ruled with a sense of responsibility, they strongly believe in justice and service for others, and are ready to launch feud against criminals and evil.

Superhero secret identity

Secret identity protects a superhero’s family and friends from being the targets of his or enemies. However, there is always someone, a confidant, may it be a friend or a relative sworn to secrecy to keep a superhero’s identity top secret.

Superhero costume

In order to fully conceal their true identity, superheroes wear a distinctive costume. These outfits follow an underlying theme that responds to the hero’s name, powers, and other aspects of his / her character.

Age of Superhero comics

Superheroes are often said to dictate the beginning and end of a comic era. But comic book ages are motivated by other deeper factors, the editorial and publication decisions that shapes a comics content.

However, superhero comics do contribute greatly to each comic’s age as known characters emerge in every particular era.

Superhero comics – The Golden age (late 1930s until the early 1950s)

• Marked the appearances of the first superhero comics, the most popular being Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Captain America.

Superhero comics – The Silver age (1956 to circa 1970)

• DC comics began revising their 1940s superheroes, The Flash and Green Lantern with a more sci-fi theme. Marvel followed suit in the 1960s with the introduction of Spiderman, Fantastic Four, The Hulk, X-men and Iron man.

Superhero comics – The Bronze age (1970 to 1985)

• By this time, superhero comics began dealing with social and political issues evident in the characters of Green Lantern, a change in the story arc of Captain America, sophisticated titles of The Uncanny X-men, The New Teen Titans.

It was also the time when anti heroes first appeared and the characters of The Punisher, Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Daredevil hit the mainstream.

Superhero comics – The Modern age

• Superhero comics posed a darker theme with the release of the Watchmen, the Dark Knight Returns, and Spawn. It’s a time when superhero comics are darker with Anti-Heroes entering the scene.