The Nigerian Mvies

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Saturday 10 May 2014

Discovering Early Science Fiction Comic Book Authors

By Tracie Knight


Comic books have been popular since the early 1920s. One of the first and most famous of these great writers is A. D. Condo, the author of Mr. Skygack from Mars. A gag group strip found in U. S. Newspapers in the 1930s and early 1940s. The United States along with Japan remain the two largest publishers of science fiction comic books. The UK runs a close second with authors who began developing fantastical themes into various publications in the 1950s.

Some of the most favorable and recognizable science fiction characters were developed in the 1930s and 1940s. These early science fiction comic book authors created Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Brick Bradford and Dan Dare. Superman, while also created early on, later became considered a subset of the genre. Many accolades of the genre suggest this is because the character has now taken on a more realistic aspect, especially in film and television.

In the 1960s, Frederick Wertham decided that books in this genre and others, may have a negative effect on children and young adults. He published a book called "Seduction of the Innocent" to relay this point to parents. Many of which then disallowed continued reading of fantasy and science fiction oriented material.

The industry began to return to themes directed at teens and adults in the late 1960s. It is during this time that the wave of underground books and strips related to free love and hippies were first released. In 1991, hippie comics resurfaced with a series dedicated to Grateful Dead fans called Grateful Dead Comix. These and other publications make it clear that both science fiction and other themes are still popular.

Early Japanese comics featuring elements of fantasy and science fiction were published in the 1950s. The earliest publishers of these books known as manga were Astro Boy, by Osamu Tezuka, others have since followed with the genre becoming more present in current culture, mostly in film and television.

Dan Dare was the earliest character developed by authors in the UK. It was not until the mid to late 1960s that the genre became popular after the release of the The Trojan Empire. A series that included comics published in Look and Learn, a book devoted to teaching art as well as entertaining children.

A number of early authors have become better known since the inception of the internet. Web strips have also become popular since the early 1990s. Some of these include Polymer City Chronicles, believed to be the earliest along with Starship Crisis and others. Older fans of the genre who may have had books taken away during the mid-60s due to the concerns of adult material released too early, greatly appreciate these new online editions.

Whether reading these great science fiction strips in a traditional booklet or online, the authors did a great job creating this genre. Comic book trading, especially with relation to fantasy and science fiction has not only become popular but a hobby for enthusiasts. So much so that fans can be found dressed as favorite characters at regional and national conventions. Whereas, comic book stores are now presented as themes in many television series, movies and theater productions.




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