Saturday, 3 May 2014

Important Early Science Fiction Comic Book Authors

By Tracie Knight


With all the conventions, movies, radio spots and television shows, it is easy to see that interest in fantasy and science fiction remain popular. Still, many early writers in these genres remain unknown. One of the best and earliest of these writers is A. D. Condo who created what is believed to be the earliest publication in the genre, Mr. Skygack from Mars. A single panel black and white strip about a visitor to earth which became popular in newspapers in the U. S. During the 1930s and 1940s.

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.

A new wave of morality brought about by those believing these books were bad for children in the mid-60s, created a strong emotional response in parents. Many of which disallowed their children to read such material. Regardless of this opposition and a book called Seduction of the Innocent, by Frederick Wertham, the genre still remains popular.

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.

Japanese comics featuring fantasy, science fiction and other themes were first published in the 1950s. The earliest of which were books known as manga. One of the most popular in this series was Astro Boy created by Osamu Tezuka. Many others have since released additional manga with a variety of different characters and themes. Some of which can be found in a number of games, films and television shows in Japan, the United States and other countries.

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.

The internet now allows a venue for new and well seasoned writers to explore fantasy and science fiction. One of the most popular of the earliest web comics is that of Polymer City Chronicles. Both this and Starship Crisis were quite popular shortly after the activation of the world wide web. Posting historic editions of older comic strips, science fiction and others later became quite popular among both new and emerging graphic artists.

Many people who had comic books taken away as children and young adults now have the chance to enjoy them once again. Others who have never read older editions can also explore new and old characters and learn how these genres have grown. After which, many may very well become authors and graphic artists.




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