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Who doesn't love relaxing in a bean bag
Comic books
The Golden Age of comics began in 1938. Action Comics #1 introduced Superman |
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Superpowered heroes were revived in 1956 with the advent of the Silver Age of comics. Here Spider-Man |
The period from 1970 to 1980 was known as the Bronze Age, where many new books were created and the face of the industry was transformed with the talent of a lot of young guns. Between the Bronze and Silver Ages, mainstream publications moved from optimistic, if sometimes goofy, diversions to socially aware entertainment. Since that time, some combination of "BAM! WHAM! POW! Comics are growing up!" has been used to describe the changing medium. |
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Lastly we have the Modern Age, which has spanned from 1980 to the present day. Also known as the age of grim and gritty storytelling, and sometimes broken down into the Dark Age, the last few decades have seen event storylines like the Death of Superman, the rebooting of various comic universes, and the rise of the antihero. The last few years specifically have let up on the latter aspect, though a preference for conflicted characters remains. |
There is no shortage of masked men or a caped heroes saving the local populace from costumed menaces; the two major brands that compete for the top spot in this superhero
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These are the shining stars of superhero comics, the ones fans and critics point to when dissenters say the medium has no merit. List below is just a few of the many the hero-centered tales; beyond that is a variety of worthy titles that explore the world beyond crime fighters and their rogue's galleries.
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A view of the Golden and Silver ages of the Marvel Universe from the perspective of an average citizen. |
A genre-crossing series with noir, mystery, drama, and comedic influences. The ultimate pulp hero. |
The story of the Lord of Dreams; well regarded for its literary and mythological allusions. |
A cold, hard look at Batman, the DC Universe, and superheroes in general set in the eighties. |
Another Cold War-influenced take on superheroes, and easily the most well-known one. |
But what if masked men in spandex aren't your deal? Fear not, there are tons of series out there that don't focus on traditional hero tales; these range from coming-of-age stories to the supernatural.
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The evil Adversary forces fairy tale characters to emigrate to New York; mystery and mayhem ensue. |
A young man from Canada must finally grow up. Oh, and his girlfriend's exes are trying to kill him. |
A dark and funny epic that's said to rival the Lord of the Rings in scope. Suitable for kids, worthwhile for adults. |
In a world where chicken is illegal, cibopath Tony Chu solves crimes for the FDA. |
Two cynical teen girls mock nineties pop culture and drift through young adulthood, eventually maturing. |
While there's nothing precluding any of the above from being well-written or deeply touching, the stories below have a much firmer grip on reality, pockmarks and all. Beautifully drawn, heartbreaking and sometimes bitterly funny, these books tell personal tales that will move even the most hardened of adults.
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A graphic novel detailing author Marjane Satrapi's experiences growing up in Iran during the Cultural Revolution. |
Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father, a Holocaust survivor, with honesty and dark humor. |
A richly told series that follows the personal lives of several punk Latinas, known to readers as Las Locas. |
A comic series from Harvey Pekar and R. Crumb that largely centers on the former's daily life. |
A spiraling tale of family and life in a rural town, with a focus on author Alison Bechdel's complicated relationship with her dad. |
You can't just pick up any old superhero story and expect your comic-loving friend to fall at your feet in awe. If you're trying to pick out a present for a superfan, there are a few pieces of advice you'll want to follow.
Comic books are an excellent gift for kids, especially those that aren't big into reading--think of them as a gateway drug to greater literacy. Because the market is increasingly geared toward adult storytelling, finding fun and suitable stories for children can be a huge chore, but below are some of the top picks.
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A best-of culled from Art Spiegleman's Little Lit collections, full of fun comics by one of the industry's best. |
An international classic following the adventures of globe-trotting reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy. |
A great way to pass your love of Jim Henson's creations on to a new generation. Be sure to look for spin-offs, like Muppet Sherlock Holmes |
Perfect for the youngest of the bunch. These are colorful, lighthearted comics; those interested in a meatier story should check out The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck |
The ultimate American teenager, Archie and his friends have been a go-to kid-friendly comic for decades. |
Don't forget international comics such as Asterix,
From a collector's perspective, titles from the Modern Age basically have no value. Collectors hoarding large numbers anticipating a big boom in the collecting industry, along with company-created lures like holograms covers and reboots to make issues with a No. 1 label, have created an artificially high demand and rendered issues from this time period virtually worthless. The most valuable books range from the introduction of the superhero theme (Golden Age) to the end of the Bronze Age (1979).
,,,,.When buying or selling comic books, the item's condition is the most important factor in determining price. Books in the best condition will have little signs of wear, retain good color, and possess sharp edges and few creases. Often the buyer and seller will disagree over the exact condition--it's personal bias to grade something higher if you're selling it, and if you're buying, it's often the opposite. This can cause problems since there needs to be some sort of mutual agreement before the transaction, but luckily there is a service that provides independent grading.
