The Fantasy and Science Fiction genre is one which has a rather dramatic following. Conventions are held annually in many parts of the world where fans dress and act as favorite characters. A. D. Condo and his initial comic strip Mr. Skygack from Mars, is often considered the earliest publication in this genre. Without his work, the world may never have known the likes of Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon or Superman.
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.
In the 1950s, Japan saw a rise in publications by new writers. Anime became the next stage when the focus became more on creating animated characters. One of the earliest comic books known as manga included Osamu Tezuka's strip, Astro Boy. A large collection of anime has since been released by others which has created a huge and ongoing interest in the genre.
Dan Dare was the earliest well known character to come alive in the UK. The Trigan Empire released in the 1960s is often considered the most popular of all the series. It is believed this success is due to the series being included in a book called Look and Learn. The goal of the book being to teach children about art and entertainment.
Other authors have become more well known all over the world since the establishment of the internet. Web strips have since also become extremely popular. The most well known of these are most likely two of the earliest, Polymer City Chronicles and Starship Crisis. The internet has allowed a venue for artists and authors all over the world to connect and interact while sharing various forms of art, including comics and graphic novels.
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.
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.
In the 1950s, Japan saw a rise in publications by new writers. Anime became the next stage when the focus became more on creating animated characters. One of the earliest comic books known as manga included Osamu Tezuka's strip, Astro Boy. A large collection of anime has since been released by others which has created a huge and ongoing interest in the genre.
Dan Dare was the earliest well known character to come alive in the UK. The Trigan Empire released in the 1960s is often considered the most popular of all the series. It is believed this success is due to the series being included in a book called Look and Learn. The goal of the book being to teach children about art and entertainment.
Other authors have become more well known all over the world since the establishment of the internet. Web strips have since also become extremely popular. The most well known of these are most likely two of the earliest, Polymer City Chronicles and Starship Crisis. The internet has allowed a venue for artists and authors all over the world to connect and interact while sharing various forms of art, including comics and graphic novels.
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.
