Comic books have a long-standing history with their fans. The medium has a special way of blending visuals and words together. Creating a thin line between a novel and real life.
At what point did we start blurring that line to make what we now call “comic book movies”?
G For the Beginning
Before we can get into film, we need to know how comic books infiltrated the literary market in the first place. Comic books date back to the late 19th century. Then shot in popularity later in 1938-1956 which is coined as the Golden Age. Some could argue they go back even further if we consider cavemen paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, or even the first manga series. But that’s another story... get it?
The Golden Age is the genesis of modern comics as we know them. The release of one of the world’s greatest superheroes can be thanked for this catalyst. That hero being Superman! Superman brought along other fan favorites such as Batman and The Flash.
Comics weren’t the only things on the rise in the Golden Age. The after effects of the Great Depression and the global conflict of World War II also were happening. This led to many superhero comics being coordinated around pro-war propaganda. Captain America’s comics debut is a great example of this. America’s pop culture took a major shift following these events. One area more than others.
Look Mom I’m on The Big Screen
Films in theaters actually took a backseat to Television after World War II. Upon the return of many Americans, families focused more on household rebuilding. Their purchases were mainly houses and appliances, TVs being one of them. By the 1950s, two thirds of America were glued to the TV glow.
This is where comic books’ success transitioned into cartoons and movies. Starting again with Superman in Superman and The Mole Men (1951). Now compare that movie to the new trailer for Superman (2025). How did comic book movies evolve into this?!
Why Comics Move
Comic book movies isn’t another fad nor dying in popularity. Comics have evolved from strips, issues, graphic novels and now digital. How does this medium continue to move people to eventually moving on the big screen?
For starters, comic books have a level of preservation that other storytelling mediums don’t. They are low-cost to make and more accessible compared to a movie, novel, or video game. So, there will always be thousands of more issues before Disney+ can blink.
Secondly, comic book movies brought a halt to the generation war. With advanced action, classic story structure, and a serious attention to detail; comic book movies appeal to young and mature audiences.
Lastly, people grow with comics. If you’re an adult fan, you can remember your first comic and webcomic. Film producers are tapping into this long-term commitment to those established IPs. You’re also not the same person the more firsts you experience. Comic book movies rely on the hero’s journey and places fans into the shoes of the character. That superhero didn’t just change, you did too. This growth is irreplaceable and sacred.
Our Comics Are Alive Too
Even before comics leapt off the pages, they provided immense value and connection to their communities. Supporting indie comics is the start to creating the space for more diverse comic book movies
Did you know The Grey by Midnight Comics has a micro film? Well now you do! When comics are backed, we get to see movements like this (pun intended). To see more of our stories come to life, check out our catalog!
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