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Comic books have been published for over a century, and collectors categorize them into five ‘Ages’: Platinum (1897-1937), Golden (1938-55), Silver (1956-69), Bronze (1970-79) and Modern (1980-present). Rarity, title/issue, and condition determine value. Some popular titles include Spider-Man, Superman, X-Men, Batman, Green Lantern, and Incredible Hulk.
One of the first comic strips was Hogan's Alley, published in 1895 by Richard Felton Outcalt. This strip had the first 'speech bubbles,' and its lead character, The Yellow Kid, had his own book, The Yellow Kid in McFadden's Flats, printed in 1897. This book actually coined the term 'comic book,' and it marks the beginning of the Platinum Age, which ran until 1937.
Subsequent newspaper comic strips such as Mutt and Jeff were reprinted in the form of books, and publishers began experimenting with periodical (weekly) comic books, selling them...
The Golden Age began in 1937, and comic books, previously meant for adults, now focused more on youth. In 1938 a revolutionary new series, Action Comics #1, introduced Superman, the first comic book character with superhuman abilities. Batman followed a year later, in Detective Comics #27, grittier than Superman, and initially more of a mystery than a superhero comic.
Superman got his own book in 1939 (not shared with other comics), and this new format became the standard for American comic books. The Golden Age lasted until 1955, and introduced characters such as Captain Marvel, The Green Lantern, The Flash, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and The Spectre.
Next came The Silver Age, with the revamping of The Flash, who brought superhero comics back from their post-WW2 slump. During this era Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and other artists at Marvel created some of the best-known comics ever, including superhero teams like Fantastic Four, The Avengers and the X-Men. These comics are known for their characters having more depth, unlike the eternally optimistic heroes of the Golden Age.
Spider-Man first appeared in 1962 to great success, as he was a real, average person with a fantastic alter-ego that readers could relate to. Other characters introduced in this era include Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Dr. Doom.
The Bronze Age (1970-1979) broke a lot of rules. Black superheroes, such as the Falcon, appeared, as did foreign heroes like Banshee, Sunfire, and Nightcrawler. Comics as a whole got more 'real,' with The Green Lantern and the Green Arrow teaming up to take on real issues like urban crime and drug abuse. Innocent characters could get killed off, Superheroes could fight spirits, black magic, and more gritty, conflicted, and violent characters such as the Punisher and Wolverine.
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by Interviews & Articles
Sea-Monkeys and X-Ray Spex: Collecting the Bizarre Stuff Sold in the Back of Comic Books
Amazing! Incredible! Unbelievable! Eyeglasses that let you see through clothes. The secrets to super-human strength. Scary seven-f… [more]
Digging Up the Weirdest Old Books and Comics From the Thrift-Store Bargain Bins
When we first encountered Alan Scherstuhl's "Studies in Crap" column over at the "SF Weekly," we knew he was one of us. Every week… [more]
Stuck on Comic Character Pinbacks
I started off collecting comics, and still do, but I’d been given a few early Disney pinbacks as a child and always thought they w… [more]
Fightin’ Femmes: Unmasking Female Superheroes with Author Mike Madrid
When I was growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, reading comics wasn't as popular as it had been in the ’40s or ’50s. But my older sist… [more]
Harvey Pekar: The Splendor of Ordinary Life
Harvey Pekar carried himself with a slouch. He had a disheveled comb-over and dark, haunted eyes. A file clerk at the Veterans Adm… [more]
When Superheroes Took Over Comic Books
I’ve been interested in comic books since I was very young. My two older brothers had Spider-Man and Fantastic Four comic books. I… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Cover Browser
Philipp Lenssen's incredible archive of over 94,000 comic book covers - Wow! Wham! Yikes! Browse by title from the … [read review or visit site]
Doug Gilford’s Mad Cover Site
Doug Gilford's great Mad Magazine reference site features cover scans and reference information on every issue of t… [read review or visit site]
TheComicBooks.com
Jamie Coville's in-progress ode to the history of 20th century comic books. Start with his Newsstand Period Part 1 … [read review or visit site]
Popeye's Thimble Theatre
Bruce Shults takes us on a comprehensive Popeye fan tour, from the early comic strips to cartoons and collectible m… [read review or visit site]
Barnacle Press
This collection of obscure newspaper comic strips provides scans browsable by title, year and date. Showcases comic… [read review or visit site]
Other Great Reference Sites: Comic Books
Top eBay Auctions
Amazing Fantasy #15 Cgc 4.5 1st App Amazing Spider-man Graded Marvel Comics 1962
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Recent News: Comic Books
Source: Google News
Found in the vaults: Jack Chick's caveman comics
Comic Book Resources, May 21stThe vintage-comics blog Strippers Guide has more samples of Times Have Changed?, although when the post first went up, in 2008, they didn't realize that the artist was that Chick. The official biography of Chick on his website says that he had liked to...Read more
Self-Publishing Tools for Science Artists
Scientific American (blog), May 20thI must say, it was incredibly easy to publish my comic collection, Amoeba Hugs and Other Nonsense, on Create Space and now Amazon. If you are looking to publish anything from a novel to a full-bleed colorful picture book, it's possible. They provide...Read more
Sherwin-Williams Hosts Color Marketing Group Workshop
woodworkingnetwork.com, May 20thHis presentation, “Connecting the Dots,” compared his method of developing creative concepts to that of the series of dots that comprise a vintage comic book illustration, known as the Ben-Day dots printing process. Observed individually, the dots...Read more
Heroes and heroines: The comic-book-collage portraits of Sandra Chevrier
ALARM Magazine, May 20thTaking elegant female portraits that might have been destined for fashion mags and pasting vintage comic panels over them, Montreal-based artist Sandra Chevrier creates mixed-media masterpieces that are equal parts beauty and brute force. Prices range...Read more
DOTTY SPARKLE'S VINTAGE AND MODERN FAIR.
Thurrock Gazette, May 17thBUSTLING HOME FRONT CAFE SELLING SNACKS AND TEA AND CAKES IN VINTAGE CHINA, WHERE YOU CAN READ WARTIME NEWSPAPERS AND LOOK AT COUPON AND RATION BOOKS, VINTAGE COMICS AND NEWS FROM THE FRONT...Read more
The Lighter Side Of The Cloud – Just Google It!
CloudTweaks News, May 17thOur comic collection has simply taken the light side of cloud computing to a whole new level. So after a long day's work in the cloud, you can stop by our comic library for that much deserved moment of fun before you call it a day. Review the full...Read more
Could new Mass Effect comic collection give hints to Mass Effect 4?
PlayStation Universe, May 16thCould new Mass Effect comic collection give hints to Mass Effect 4? Posted May 16th, 2013 at 04:20 EDT by Richard Archer; 0 Comments. Dark Horse Comics has announced that every single Mass Effect comic is to be collected into one deluxe hardcover...Read more
New Jersey couple selling comic collection to rebuild after Sandy
Comic Book Resources, May 7thdonald duck A New Jersey couple is auctioning a collection of Golden Age comics in an effort to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. According to the Asbury Park Press, Brick and Britta Wenzel of Lavallette didn't have flood insurance for their seven...Read more