Distinguishing Comic Ages

[jabari18]

I am a new reader who began with the New 52 so this question might sound silly to some.

What exactly are the different ages in comic books and what did they represent (was there something thematic that classified the ages)? Approximately during what time period were these ages? What age are we in now? And with the Nu52 and MarvelNOW! are we entering into a new age of comics?

Thanks in advance

[Jeff Brady]

You've got the Very Old Age (some call it platinum or victorian), which is before superheroes.

The Golden Age pretty much started when Superman debuted in 1938.

The Silver Age started in the mid-50s when certain DC characters were re-invented.

The Bronze Age started in the late 60s/early 70s, when superhero comics tackled relevant social issues and had an artistic revolution.

The Modern Age started in 1986 with Watchmen, Ronin, V for Vendetta and Dark Knight Returns.

Check out the Overstreet price guide/google/wikipedia for info.

[tony ingram]

I've never heard the phrase "Very Old Age" used in that context before, and the Victorian Age was a period of British history that ended in 1901. I've heard the period prior to 1938 (or more often 1935) referred to as pre-Golden Age on occasion, though. The rest sounds about right, though a lot of dealers and collectors (myself included) consider the Modern Age to have started in about 1980. V for Vendetta was originally published in 1982 in serialized form.

[Jeff Brady]

The Very Old Age was me having fun at the expense of the OP for not consulting The Google.

Oveerstreet does list a Victorian Age, but my memory is fuzzy and I don't keep a copy of it at work.

[Mat001]

The Golden Age of DC runs from 1935 til 1957. As noted, with the heroics, it began with Action Comics #1 in 1938.

The Silver Age of DC began with Showcase #4 in 1956, with the debut of Barry Allen as the Flash.

The Bronze Age started around 1970, but there was no formal comic where it was considered to have been kicked off. Many DC books changed directions around this time. The Daily Planet was bought by WGBS, Dick Grayson grew up and moved out, Green Arrow changed his look and Wonder Woman lost her powers.


For Marvel, this is a different matter. The Golden Age began with Marvel Mystery Special #1 in 1939. It ran until 1961, when Fantastic Four #1 debuted. The Bronze Age for Marvel, that's a difficult one to pin down. Though some would call The Death Of Gwen Stacy as the beginning of the Bronze Age for Marvel.

[AaronStC]

I've never heard the phrase "Very Old Age" used in that context before, and the Victorian Age was a period of British history that ended in 1901. I've heard the period prior to 1938 (or more often 1935) referred to as pre-Golden Age on occasion, though. The rest sounds about right, though a lot of dealers and collectors (myself included) consider the Modern Age to have started in about 1980. V for Vendetta was originally published in 1982 in serialized form.

I think there is an overlap between the ages. While some "modern" (we really need to name this era at this point we're going on 30 years of modern age) stuff started as early as '80, there was stuff that was very bronze age like stuff still coming out as late a '87. Likewise with sliver to bronze, there was a transition period. Even the golden to silver isn't completely cut and dry, The new Flash was silver but was Superman and Batman of the same time still golden?

[Castel]

Well, long story short those different ages are attempts by writers to keep their characters and their stories in touch with the modern readers.

The bronze age for example was a big transition. Stories really changed.

[Alan Smithee]

The Golden Age of DC runs from 1935 til 1957. As noted, with the heroics, it began with Action Comics #1 in 1938.

The Silver Age of DC began with Showcase #4 in 1956, with the debut of Barry Allen as the Flash.

The Bronze Age started around 1970, but there was no formal comic where it was considered to have been kicked off. Many DC books changed directions around this time. The Daily Planet was bought by WGBS, Dick Grayson grew up and moved out, Green Arrow changed his look and Wonder Woman lost her powers.


For Marvel, this is a different matter. The Golden Age began with Marvel Mystery Special #1 in 1939. It ran until 1961, when Fantastic Four #1 debuted. The Bronze Age for Marvel, that's a difficult one to pin down. Though some would call The Death Of Gwen Stacy as the beginning of the Bronze Age for Marvel.

That's a pretty cool breakdown. Trying to look up stuff like this would induce Wiki fatigue. Gwen Stay's death makes a lot of sense. I sort of vaguely assumed that Neal Adams' work at DC was a milepost marker there (kind of like DC getting its footing back after the big Marvel incursion). How would you factor in the Comics Code obsolescence and the drug stories that appeared in both Big Two at roughly the same time? I suppose there are transitional periods. Anyway, good stuff.

[Paul Newell]

Here's a good video explaining the "officially" recognised ages:

http://www.videojug.com/interview/comic-book-ages-2

And here's the way I see it:

Victorian Age (Late 18th Century to 1890's)
The Beginning to the first collections.

Platinum Age (1897-1933)
Newspaper strip collections and some original material in book form, pre-dating the "modern" comic book.

Golden Age (1938-1945)
The super-hero boom, launched by DC Comics' Superman and Batman.

Atom Age (1946-1955)
The super-hero bust. Other genres come into their own including crime, Western, war, romance, science fiction, teen humor and funny animal.

Silver Age (1956-1969)
The super-hero revival, begun by DC, epitomized by Marvel.

Bronze Age (1970-1985)
"Relevance" is introduced.

Dark Age: (1986 - 1995)
Comics go "grim and gritty" and the Speculator boom.

Retro Age: (1996 - 2004)
Marvels and Kingdom Come herald a return to the Silver Age's sensibilities....with a modern spin.

Event Age: (2004 - 2011)
Identity Crisis and Avengers Disassembled start a bombardment of "events" in order to maximise sales.

Digital Age: (2011 - Present)
The DC relaunch and same day digital sales begin a focus on digital comics.

Everything before the "Retro Age" is recognised in some way by comic historians. After are just my own interpretations.

[jabari18]

Thanks to everyone that replied