"threaten the financial stability of many agents. Alternative comics, successors of underground comics, develop in line with Art Spiegelman and his ""Maus"". On the other hand, the comic strip experienced a crisis more pronounced in the 2000s and linked to that of the press as a whole, while at the same time a new American product, the webcomics, appeared. American comics historians generally divide 20th-century American comics history chronologically into ages. The first period, called Golden Age, extends from 1938 (first appearance of Superman in ""Action Comics"" #1 by National Allied Publications, a corporate predecessor of DC Comics) to 1954"
"#1 (June 1938) sold at auction for $1 million, besting the $317,000 record for a comic book set by a different copy, in lesser condition, the previous year. The sale, by an anonymous seller to an anonymous buyer, was through the Manhattan-based auction company ComicConnect.com. Although DC had initially announced Marc Guggenheim as writer of the title following the ""War of the Supermen"" limited series, he was replaced by Paul Cornell. Cornell featured Lex Luthor as the main character in ""Action Comics"" from issues #890–900 and Death appeared in issue #894, with the agreement of the character's creator, Neil Gaiman."
"know that a formula can possibly prove monotonous through repetition but I fear that if this element is removed from the story formula that makes up SUPERMAN, that this strip will lose a great part of its effectiveness."" Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane first appeared in ""Action Comics"" #1 (June 1938), other than the fact that Superman had been rocketed to Earth as an infant, his complex backstory had yet to develop. The very first story includes a sequence in which Clark behaved in a cowardly fashion, leaving Lois to defend herself against an aggressive man, from whom Superman later"
"reference to one of the nicknames of Superman as the ""Man of Tomorrow"", and was later again used in the title of another Superman . The comic book, ""Action Comics"" #1, published in April 1938 by ""National Allied Publications"" (later renamed DC Comics), marked the first publication of the character of Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The comic quickly became a success, and its editor soon realized that it was because of the popularity of the character. In an unprecedented move at the time, National Allied Publications introduced a second comic book, ""Superman"", exclusively featuring the popular"
"part of the 12-page story in ""Marvel Comics"" #1 (Oct. 1939), and reprinted as the original eight-page story in Marvel's ""The Invaders"" #20 (Sept. 1977). As historian Les Daniels writes, Another Timely character that debuted in ""Motion Picture Funnies Weekly"" was writer-artist Paul J. Lauretta's aviator hero the American Ace, whose origin eventually appeared in two six-page stories in ""Marvel Mystery Comics"" #2–3 (Dec. 1939 – Jan. 1940), following the renaming of ""Marvel Comics"" after issue #1. Additional features in ""Motion Picture Funnies Weekly"" #1 were ""Spy Ring"", starring a masked, non-constumed crimefighter, the Wasp, drawn and likely written by"
"Jungle Action Jungle Action is the name of two American comic book series published by Marvel Comics and its 1950s precursor, Atlas Comics. The Marvel version contained the first series starring the Black Panther, the first black superhero in mainstream comics, created by the writer/artist team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ""Fantastic Four"" #52 (July 1966). The first series – published during a time of few superheroes, when comics featured an enormous assortment of genres – was a multi-character omnibus that ran six issues (Oct. 1954 – Aug. 1955). Each starred the blond-haired, Tarzanesque Lo-Zar, Lord of the"
"Allied editor Vin Sullivan pulled a Siegel/Shuster creation from the slush pile and used it as the cover feature (but only as a backup story) in ""Action Comics"" #1 (June 1938). The duo's alien hero, Superman, dressed in a cape and colorful tights. The costume, influenced by Flash Gordon's attire from 1934, evoked circus aerial performers and circus strongmen, and Superman became the archetype of the ""superheroes"" that would follow. In early 1939, the success of Superman in ""Action Comics"" prompted editors at National Comics Publications (the future DC Comics) to request more superheroes for its titles. In response, Bob"
"would be ""Action Comics"" (1938). Issue #1 introduced the superhero, Superman, created by artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel, and the character's popularity created incredible profits; not only in comic book sales, but also in merchandising such as toys, costumes and even a radio show. At the end of 1941 Donenfeld's comic businesses took in $2.6 million. Max Gaines, future founder of EC Comics, formed All-American Publications in 1938 after successfully seeking funding from Harry Donenfeld., As Gerard Jones writes of Donenfeld's investment: In 1946, Gaines let Liebowitz buy him out, keeping only ""Picture Stories from the Bible"" as"
"relaunch, DC restored ""Action Comics"" original numbering, releasing Action Comics vol. 1 #957 after Action Comics vol. 2 #52. Subsequently, a commemorative poster celebrating 1000 issues of ""Action Comics"" was released in 2018, which retroactively listed all issues of the New 52 ""Action Comics"" vol. 2 with their cumulative issue numbers. As a result, ""Action Comics"" vol. 2 #1 is now also considered to be ""Action Comics"" vol. 1 #905 overall. Action Comics 1 ""Action Comics"" #1 (cover dated June 1938) is the first issue of the original run of the comic book/magazine series ""Action Comics"". It features the first"
"""Action Comics"" #1 (June 1938), with Lane first appearing in the seventh episode. Though most sources indicate she was not the first actress cast, Alexander was cast early in the series' run and became the radio role's signature performer. Initially, the show, which ran through to 1951, was syndicated through the Mutual Broadcasting System's cornerstone station, WOR in New York, subsequently taken up by the Mutual network and finally to ABC. Alexander also was heard on ""Dimension X"" and ""Philo Vance"", ""Against the Storm"" and on ""Perry Mason"", in the first portrayal of supporting character Della Street, secretary to defense"
"Constrictor (comics) Constrictor is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Frank Payne version of Constrictor made his first appearance in ""Incredible Hulk"" #212 (1977) and was created by Len Wein and John Romita Sr., then drawn in his first issue by Sal Buscema. The character went on to feature as a supervillain in ""Captain America"" #228-229, #231 (1978–1979), ""Iron Man"" #126-127 (1979), ""Power Man & Iron Fist"" #66 (1980), ""Captain America Annual"" #5 (1981), ""Power Man & Iron Fist"" #78, #84 (1982), ""Captain America"" #281-283 (1983), #309-311 (1985), ""Fantastic Four"""
"in a comic book, Lee Falk's ""The Phantom"" — pre-dating ""Superman"" (""Action Comics"" #1, cover date June 1938). ""The Phantom"" daily strip, written by Ray Moore and drawn by Wilson McCoy, then featured in ""Ace Comics"" for a 140-issue run, appearing in every issue until the title was cancelled. Initially ""The Phantom"" was a four-page story, but from #38 this was increased to eight pages in each issue. Towards the end of the run, the Sunday strips were also included. Many of the strips were edited and cropped from the original newspaper stories, and the text was often rewritten also."
"franchise. Jaime Reyes Jaime Reyes is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner, the character made his first appearance in ""Infinite Crisis"" #3 (February 2006). Jaime Reyes is the third character to assume the mantle of Blue Beetle, but he is substantially different from his predecessors. Introduced in 1939, the original Blue Beetle, Dan Garret, was a Fox Comics police officer who fought crime with superpowers gained by ingesting ""Vitamin 2X"". A revamped version of this character, archaeologist Dan Garrett, introduced in 1964 by"
"with part one of his origin reprinted, like the first part of the Sub-Mariner's, from ""Motion Picture Funnies Weekly"" #1; the private detective the Ferret; and writer-artist Steve Dahlman's robot hero Electro (appearing in every issue from #4–19, Feb. 1940 – May 1941). Issue #13 saw the first appearance of the Vision, the inspiration for the same-name Marvel Comics superhero created in 1968. The original Vision appeared in solo stories through ""Marvel Mystery Comics"" #48. In 1949, with the popularity of superheroes having waned, the book was converted into the horror anthology ""Marvel Tales"" from issue #93–159 (Aug. 1949 –"
"the comics format one of the first of the costumed heroes, leading to the Golden Age of superheroes in comics. The first issue of ""Ace Comics"" was published in April 1937, and included the adventures of hunter ""Jungle Jim"" written by Flash Gordon writer Alex Raymond, Chic Young's ""Blondie"", and George Herriman's surreal ""Krazy Kat"" strip, all three characters going on to appear in every issue of ""Ace Comics"". Issue #11 (cover date February 1938) is notable as a key Golden Age comic, as it introduced to a wider audience one of the first costumed heroes ever to be featured"
"historically significant comic books, including ""Action Comics"" #1, June 1938 (first appearance of the character Superman) and ""Detective Comics"" #27, May 1939 (first appearance of character Batman). In 1970, humorist Jean Shepherd wrote the introduction for the reprint of ""The 1929 Johnson Smith & Co. Catalogue"". In 2004, the company marked its 90th anniversary. Johnson Smith Company The Johnson Smith Company (Johnson Smith & Co.) is a mail-order company established in 1914 by Alfred Johnson Smith in Chicago, Illinois, USA that sells novelty and gag gift items such as x-ray goggles, whoopee cushions, fake vomit, and joy buzzers. The company"
"(and commercially published in 1938). In 1934 Mandrake debuted, and in 1936 the Phantom comic strip (The Phantom). Batman and the original Captain Marvel entered in 1939. Captain America and the originals of The Flash, Green Lantern and Daredevil made their debuts in 1940. Wonder Woman, Blackhawk and Green Arrow debuted in 1941, and in 1947 Black Canary entered the scene. Coyote wore a black (mostly illustrated as dark blue, also in the comics – and sometimes brown) Mexican, decorated charro costume. He had high black boots (mostly outside the trousers) and a decorated sombrero, a black shirt – neither"
"1940s in comics ""See also"": 1930s in comics, 1950s in comics and the list of years in comics Publications: 1940 - 1941 - 1942 - 1943 - 1944 - 1945 - 1946 - 1947 - 1948 - 1949 The Justice Society of America, the first superhero team in comic book history first appear in All Star Comics #3. The team is conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox. Captain America, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, first appears in ""Captain America Comics"" #1, published by Timely Comics. Appearing a year before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the"
"which point he took to the streets as The Crimson, and later The Crimson Avenger. Superman's appearance as the first costumed hero in ""Action Comics"" #1 is credited as the beginning of the Golden Age of Comics, but this was removed from continuity during the ""Crisis on Infinite Earths"". The Crimson's second origin re-establishes Superman as the inspiration for all costumed crime-fighters. In 1988, the Crimson Avenger appeared in a 4-issue miniseries by Roy & Dann Thomas, Greg Brooks, and Mike Gustovich. Set shortly after the Crimson's debut in the latter days of 1938, the story revolves around the growing"
"Crimson Avenger The Crimson Avenger is the name of three separate fictional characters, superheroes who exist in the DC Comics Universe. The character debuted in 1938 and is notable as the first masked hero in DC Comics. The original Crimson Avenger made his first published appearance in ""Detective Comics"" #20 (October 1938). He was a wealthy newsman named Lee Walter Travis who took up the identity of the Crimson Avenger to battle crime. Travis initially dressed in a red trenchcoat, a fedora, and a red mask covering his face; except for the red coloring, he was visually similar to The"
"Jaime Reyes Jaime Reyes is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner, the character made his first appearance in ""Infinite Crisis"" #3 (February 2006). Jaime Reyes is the third character to assume the mantle of Blue Beetle, but he is substantially different from his predecessors. Introduced in 1939, the original Blue Beetle, Dan Garret, was a Fox Comics police officer who fought crime with superpowers gained by ingesting ""Vitamin 2X"". A revamped version of this character, archaeologist Dan Garrett, introduced in 1964 by Charlton"
"a variety of genres in some of the medium's first comics, including Centaur's ""Star Comics"", '""Funny Pages"" and ""Funny Picture Stories"". He is among the contributors to the future DC Comics' landmark title ""Action Comics"" #1 (June 1938), the landmark comic that introduced Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's seminal superhero Superman. There Guardineer wrote, drew and lettered the 12-page feature introducing his magician-hero creation Zatara, a character remaining in the DC stable as of the 21st century. Guardineer was also one of the artists on two features handled previously by Creig Flessel in ""More Fun Comics"": ""Pep Morgan"" (on which"
"Captain Wonder (Timely Comics) Captain Wonder (Professor Jeff Jordan) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was first published by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel Comics during the period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. He is a superhero who possesses the power of super strength. He first appeared in ""Kid Komics"" #1 in February 1943. He appeared in ""Kid Komics #1-2"". He made the cover of ""Kid Komics #1"", but by #2 he had faded into the shadow cast by the Young Allies, and"
"artist, and descriptive text. The only known publication of the series was in the ""Toledo Blade"" of Toledo, Ohio. Twenty-four entries were published from January 23 to July 2, 1940. No syndication information is included in any entry, and the project was not a success. The feature is the only known time Ira Schnapp received a newspaper byline. By 1940, Donenfeld and Liebowitz, now in control of National Comics, were the dominant figures in comic book publishing. Their most popular character was Superman, who debuted in ""Action Comics"" #1 in 1938. Superman gained his own title with ""Superman"" #1 in"
"world leader. Bozo the Iron Man Hugh Hazzard and his Robot, Bozo the Iron Man is a fictional character, first appearing in Quality Comics series, ""Smash Comics"" #1 (Aug. 1939). The character's adventures were written and crudely drawn by Quality Comics editor George Brenner. In the first installment (called Hugh Hazzard and his Iron Man, by Wayne Reid), the origin story, Commissioner Hunt contacts Hazzard by signal flare and brings him into the investigation of crimes committed by a mysterious robot. Seeing the robot robbing a jewellery store, Hugh manages to temporarily deactivate it and climbs inside its hollow chest"
"the character as he is depicted in ""Action Comics"" #1 (1938). Versions of him with later developments, such as his power of ""heat vision"" (introduced in 1949), may persist under copyright until the works they were introduced in enter the public domain themselves. Superman's success immediately spawned a wave of imitations. The most successful of these was Captain Marvel, first published by Fawcett Comics in December 1939. Captain Marvel had many similarities to Superman: Herculean strength, invulnerability, the ability to fly, a cape, a secret identity, and a job as a journalist. DC Comics filed a lawsuit against Fawcett Comics"
"third on its list of the ""Top 10 1970s Marvels"". Jungle Action Jungle Action is the name of two American comic book series published by Marvel Comics and its 1950s precursor, Atlas Comics. The Marvel version contained the first series starring the Black Panther, the first black superhero in mainstream comics, created by the writer/artist team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ""Fantastic Four"" #52 (July 1966). The first series – published during a time of few superheroes, when comics featured an enormous assortment of genres – was a multi-character omnibus that ran six issues (Oct. 1954 – Aug."
"(Flag Smasher) and international and domestic terrorism (Hydra). <br> Captain America Captain America (Steve Rogers) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in ""Captain America Comics"" #1 (cover dated March 1941) from Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics. Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier who often fought the Axis powers of World War II and was Timely Comics' most popular character during the wartime period. The popularity of superheroes waned following the war and the ""Captain America"" comic book"
"The collection of such material also began, with ""The Funnies"", a reprint collection of newspaper strips, published in tabloid size in 1929. A market for such comic books soon followed, and by 1938 publishers were printing original material in the format. It was at this point that ""Action Comics"" #1 launched, with ""Superman"" as the cover feature. The popularity of the character swiftly enshrined the superhero as the defining genre of American comic books. The genre lost popularity in the 1950s but re-established its domination of the form from the 1960s until the late 20th century. In Japan, a country"
"Invisible Hood The Invisible Hood is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe. He was originally owned by Quality Comics, but was later acquired by DC Comics, along with other Quality characters. He first appeared in ""Smash Comics"" #1 (August 1939), and was created by Art Pinajian, Pinajian illustrated the story under the pseudonym ""Art Gordon"". The character first appeared in ""Smash Comics"" #1 in 1939, as published by Quality Comics in a story titled ""Hooded Justice"". Years after the character was acquired by DC Comics, a retroactive fictional history was developed (see notes below in Character History). Little"
"Captain Action Captain Action was an action figure created in 1966, equipped with a wardrobe of costumes allowing him to become Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Aquaman, the Phantom, The Lone Ranger (and Tonto), Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Sgt. Fury, Steve Canyon, and the Green Hornet. Captain Action was the Ideal Toy Company's answer to Hasbro's G.I. Joe—although the protagonist dolls of both toy lines were created and designed by the same toy-and-idea man, Stan Weston. Toy developer Stan Weston went to Hasbro's Don Levine with the idea of an articulated doll in the form of a soldier — a"
"""Action Comics"" #6 (November 1938), which is claimed to be Jimmy Olsen's first appearance by several reference sources. The character was first introduced as Jimmy Olsen in the radio show ""The Adventures of Superman"" on April 15, 1940 in the episode ""Donelli’s Protection Racket"", mainly ""so the Man of Steel would have someone to talk to"". With Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster creating and drawing the physical appearance and giving him a bigger personality, the character moved from the radio show back into the comics in 1941, first appearing as a named character in the story ""Superman versus The Archer"""
"Comet (Archie Comics) The Comet is a fictional character that first appeared in ""Pep Comics"" #1 in January, 1940. Possibly the first superhero killed in the line of duty, he died in issue #17 (July, 1941), which also introduced his brother, a brutal hero called the Hangman. In ""Pep"" #1, in a story drawn by Jack Cole, young scientist John Dickering has discovered a gas fifty times lighter than hydrogen. By injecting small doses of it into his bloodstream, he is able to make great leaps through the air. After a number of injections, twin beams come from Dickering's eyes"