Pulps were small 10 cent books sold on the newsstands, usually filled with action heroes going to exotic places and having. The origins of the medium, the evolution of superheroes and all the other genres as they born in different eras. Pbs documentary takes a serious look at history of superheroes. History is tapping some big names from marvel and dc to uncover the hidden origin stories of comics biggest heroes.
Eight great books about comic books by heidi macdonald may 07, 2014 with more and more graphic novels on shelves and tablets of comics readers worldwide, theres also been a boom in books about. Proamerican characters were popular, particularly captain america. The bronze age signaled a more realistic style within comic books as a younger generation of artists, including neal adams, john byrne, george perez, frank miller, and others, replaced aging artists who had helped to create the superhero comic books of. Every comic book documentary you must watch elongated man. In order to capitalize on the growing popularity of comic booksespecially those starring superheroesgoodman created timely. When the thrilling adventures of superman is broadcast on the new medium of television, americas first and greatest superhero leads the entire comic book industry to renewed strength. For many years comic books skulked in the shadows of culture, considered juvenile at best, or outright dangerous at. A comprehensive history of the superhero comic book fantasy genre and its influence on american culture. A survey of the artistic history of the comic book medium and some of the major talents associated with it. Obadiah oldbuck, but the medium was initially developed through comic strips in daily newspapers. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary the origin story. There are several key events and characters from the 30s that shaped the formation of modern comics. The history of american comics started in 1842 with the u. Robert kirkman producing comic book documentary series for.
Documentary series takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books. Fantastic four documentary jack kirby art duration. They were cheap, portable and had inspirational, patriotic stories of good triumphing over evil. The walking dead comic book creator robert kirkman stars in this documentary series that takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that have. History orders comic book special superheroes decoded. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. The golden age of comics comics have been in existence since the end of the 19th century, but it was after the depression that the popularity of newspaper cartoons expanded into a major industry. The kinderkids by lyonel feininger published in the chicago tribune, june 24, 1906. Comic book confidential 1988 this film offers a nice broad look at the world of comic books. The 1930s was the start of the golden age of comics.
Robert kirkman and amc are making a documentary series. That interest has resulted in some terrific documentaries that chronicle the history behind the industry, and reveal the hidden truths lurking. Amc is partnering with the walking dead creator robert kirkman to bring you a sixpart documentary series focused on the history of the art form. This was when the seed of everything we know in comics today were first planted. In case the name isnt a dead giveaway on this one, this film is all about the history of one of comics. The precursor to marvel comics was founded in 1939 by pulp magazine publisher martin goodman. The comic book history of comics by fred van lente and ryan dunlavey presents the long and storied history of the comic book and graphic novel art form and the industry.
Amc orders history of comic books documentary miniseries. The series is being produced by robert kirkmans skydance entertainment, marking yet another collaboration with the walking dead creators company. Crumb 1995 this relatively early comic book documentary covers the life. The network has greenlit a sixpart documentary series with the working title heroes and villains.
Look no further than this great resource and educational value of superheroes and. If you are going to watch a documentary on the history of comic books. This revolutionary comic mixed frankenstein and the notion of superheroes, while dealing with the atomic age in a mostly serious fashion. Pbs superheroestruth, justice and the american way 20. Geeking out is a 30minute talk show hosted by kevin smith and greg grunberg. Comic book heroes unmasked originally aired on the history channel is a pretty good documentary largely going over the superhero genre in comic books. Pages in category documentary films about comics the following 31 pages are in this category, out of 31 total. A history of superheroes in comic books, from the first appearance of superman in the 1930s to todays morallyconflicted, violent antiheroes. Robert kirkmans secret history of comics season 1, episode and. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary youtube. Amc just ordered a documentary series on the history of comic. Comic book superheroes unmasked is a television documentary that aired on the history channel in 2003.
To help celebrate this, amc networks is planning a history of comic books documentary miniseries that is tentatively titled heroes and villains. This documentary produced by m etrogoldwynmayer features the whole picture of the comicbook phenomenon in the united states as of 1988. I thought about it for a bit, and it stuck me that comic books was maybe too large a. The walking dead comic book creator robert kirkman stars in this documentary series that takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books all episodes. The comic book greats comic book superheroes unmasked comics britannia.
A history by gambit1024 april 25, 2012 23 comments the most recognizable comics characters in the world. Comic book superheroes unmasked history channel aired june 23rd. The sales of comic books increased markedly during world war ii. Rather, the history of dc comics is the history of the comic book industry as a whole, layered with intrigue, greed, great stories, politics, financial hell holes, but ultimately an innate desire in all of us for a great story. The film is about the history of the american comic. The untold story was a reminder of the many wonderful prose books dedicated to the history of the comic book industry out there, telling the. Superman, batman, spiderman, the hulk, and countless other comic book. Robert kirkman and amc are making a documentary series about the history of comic books. The tales very much reflected the events and values of the time. With rare access to top creators at both dc and marvel, superheroes decoded uncovers how the rise of the superhero parallels americas rise as a superpower in the 20th century, evolving. A carnival of comics eastern color printing was released. Amc has greenlit a new documentary series from the walking dead exec producers robert kirkman and david alpert, under the working title of heroes and villains.