An American comic book is a thin periodical containing primarily comics content.
While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of Action Comics, which included the debut of the superhero Superman. This was followed by a superhero boom that lasted until the end of World War II. After the war, while superheroes were marginalized, the comic book industry rapidly expanded, and genres such as funny animals, westerns, romance and humor became popular. The 1950s saw a gradual decline, due especially to new censorship laws and the spread of television. The 1960s saw a superhero revival, and superheroes continue to be the dominant genre today, although other genres have continued to find audiences.
Since the later 20th century, comic books have gained note as collectable items. Comic shops cater to fans, and particularly valuable issues have fetched in excess of a million dollars. Systems of grading comic books have emerged, and plastic bags and backing boards are available to maintain the comic books' condition.
Read more about American Comic Book: Prestige Format, Independent and Alternative Comics
Famous quotes containing the words american, comic and/or book:
“One must always be aware, to notice—even though the cost of noticing is to become responsible.”
—Thylias Moss, African American poet. As quoted in the Wall Street Journal (May 12, 1994)
“Of course, the comic figure in all this is the long-suffering Mr. Wilkes. Mr. Wilkes—who can’t be mentally faithful to his wife and won’t be unfaithful to her technically.”
—Sidney Howard (1891–1939)
“What good is a book that does not even transport us beyond all books?”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)