This is my research paper for English class. I know there are some things missing but I had to cut down some stuff for class. So fellow comic geeks please don't kill me.
If you put the best artist in the world and the best writer in the world, they will make the greatest piece of art in the world. And do you know what you would call that piece of art? You will call it a comic book (Adams, 2010).
No other medium has captivated our imagination like the American comic book. Comic books have been a source of inspiration and innovation for people of all ages for decades. With a history that can be traced as far back as the 1800s, comic books continue to thrill and excite readers. Using stories and characters that both challenged and uplifted readers, comic books have become an important part of the American way of life. From colored pages to 3D movie screens, American comic book publishers, writers, and artists are at the forefront of a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry. However, none of this would be possible if not for the creativity and dedication of DC Comics. This is the story of the men and women who revolutionize an industry one panel at a time; this is the story of DC Comics.
National Allied Publications, the company that would become DC Comics, was founded in 1934 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. Wheeler-Nicholson would go on to publish his first title, Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1, the first American comic book. The company added a second magazine, New Comics, which premiered with a Dec. 1935 cover date and at close to what would become the standard size of Golden Age comic books. However, in 1937 Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson was in debt and was compelled to take on printing-plant owner and magazine distributor Harry Donenfeld as a partner, in order to publish Detective Comics #1, Wheeler-Nicholsons finale title. Donenfeld along with his accountant, Jack S. Liebowitz and Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, created the subsidiary company Detective Comics Incorporated (Jones, 2005). A year after the creation of Detective Comics Incorporated, Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson went bankrupt and was bought out. Detective Comics Incorporated bought the remains of National Allied Publications at a bankruptcy auction.
History would be made in 1938 when two young Jewish kids from Cleveland would go on to create not only an iconic comic book character, but a whole new genre of comic book. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman, the first comic book superhero. Superman first appears in DCs forth title, Action Comics #1, becoming a major success. Within three issues the book had sold a million copies, newsstand dealers could not get enough (Adams, 2010). Supermans success was due to his origin, an immigrant from another world, who brings the best of his traditions to America; this resonated with a lot of people back in the late thirties and early forties. Supermans popularity would give rise to not only many other popular heroes but also DCs Golden Age of comics.
A year after the success of Superman, editors from DC sent out the call to writers and artists, asking for another Superman. Bob Kane, a young man from New York, would answer the call, I asked how much was (Jerry) Siegel and (Joe) Shuster making for Superman? Vince said, they made $800 a week, and I said for that kind of money youll have a hero by Monday (Kane, 2010). With the help of his friend, shoe salesman turned writer, Bill Finger, the two created the Batman. Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27, becoming an instant hit. Soon Batman and Superman would be joined by Bill Finger and Martin Nodells Green Lantern (1940) and Dr. William Marstons Wonder Woman (1941). Business was booming for DC Comics in the 40s, but this unfortunately would not last.
The 1950s would prove to be a difficult period for comic books. With the end of World War II many soldiers related the war experience with comic books, resulting in poor sales for many publishers. Critics also did not help the cause, blaming comics for the rise in juvenile delinquency. Many concerned parents staged comic book burnings. Public hearings were also held which led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a body created as part of the Comics Magazine Association of America. A tool used for the comics-publishing industry to self-censor the content of comic books in the United States. Member publishers submitted comic books to the CCA, which screened them for adherence to its Comics Code, and authorized the use of their seal on the cover if the books complied. Comic book sellers would only sell comics that had the seal. This led to many comic books being canceled and comic book publishers to fold. Only Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman would survive the transition.
DC Comics was in trouble and in need of change. Julius Schwartz would be the man to bring DC out of its stink by reinventing several Golden Age superheroes; We had to come up with new ideals. Someone at the editorial meeting asked, why dont we put out The Flash again? Yeah lets put out The Flash, but whos gonna edit Flash? Everyone looked at me (Schwartz, 2010). Schwartz along with writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome, and penciler Carmine Infantino recreated The Flashs origin and costume, giving him a modern day look and story. The new Flash would debut on October 1956 in the pages of Showcase #4, selling out at newsstands across the country. Under Julius Schwartz many DC Comics characters were updated with science fiction origins. Schwartz would revive the Justice League which in return led to the formation of Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics publisher asked editor Stan Lee to create a team of superheroes like DCs Justice League; Lees answer to the Justice League, the Fantastic Four.
The late 1960s and early 1970s would bring about more change for DC Comics. The company along with Warner Brothers became part of the same corporation. Ironically this led to a new generation of young idealistic artists and writers to join the company. Writers and artists who wanted to reflect in their stories what was going on in the time of race riots and draft burnings. Neil Adams and Dennis Oneil would do that with Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Adams and Oneil thru Green Lantern/Green Arrow openly spoke out against racism, over population, government corruption, poverty, and drug abuse. This would open many doors to new writers and artists, who saw comic books as a true art form, which was and is a direct reflection of the times. DC Comics was becoming a medium not just for young children but for adults as well.
DCs crossover success continued with popular television shows, Wonder Woman and the cartoon Super Friends. DCs biggest success at the time came in the form of a major motion picture. 1979s Superman, staring the late Christopher Reeve sparked a renewed interest in not only the character of Superman, but DC Comics itself. History was also made behind the scenes at the DC, when Jennet Kahn became the companys youngest and first female publisher two years prior. One of the first changes Kahn made was officially changing the name from National Periodical Publications to DC Comics (Secret Origin, 2010).
With Jennet Kahn at the helm, DC Comics enters into the Modern Age. In the 1980s DC Comics again adapts their characters to a new audience. Among the notable adaptations are Frank Millers Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Allan Moores Swamp Thing, and Neil Gaimans The Sandman. The Dark Knight Returns success gave way to the 1989 motion picture Batman, which was box office success. Neil Gaimans The Sandman would go to out sell many of DCs popular characters and drew in a whole new audience. Allan Moores Swamp Thing was also a success, but it is Moores epic The Watchmen that becomes not only a best seller but a literary masterpiece. Jennet Kahn along with editor, Karen Berger created the imprint Vertigo, for mature audiences. Under the Vertigo imprint writers and artists push the limits of what a comic book can be. Later, Milestone Media and Jim Lees Wildstorm Productions would also enter into a partnership with DC Comics, bringing in more new readers.
As DCs imprints brought in new audiences, Superman was losing his. In an attempt to bring in new readers, editor Mike Carlin and the Superman writing team of Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kesel, did the unthinkable, they had Superman killed (Secret Origins, 2010). It took roughly one year to plan out the production to publication. The mood of the team was positive according to Dan Jurgens:
"I can't speak for all of the creative teams, but I do believe we were generally excited by what we had planned. More than the 'Death of' story, we were excited by the 'Funeral for a Friend' issues. I think everyone was interested in exploring the world's reaction to Superman's death. I mean, how sad is it that Ma and Pa Kent couldn't acknowledge Superman as their son or attend his funeral (Jurgens, 2002).
Superman #75 saw the death of Superman, and becomes one of the bestselling comic books in history and receives international attention. Superman stays out of the comics for four months until his return in The Adventures of Superman #504, also a best seller.
In May 2011, DC announced that it would become the first comic-book publisher to begin releasing digital versions of their comics on the same day as paper versions. On June 1, 2011, as a way to appeal to todays audiences, DC announced the re-launch and renumbering of 52 of it comic titles. DC Comics today has form into a multi-billion dollar company, expanding into DC Entertainment. From 2-D pages to IMAX movie screens, DC continues to capture the imagination of audiences world-wide. After 76 years DC Comics still remains the standard of what a comic book is and can be.
If you put the best artist in the world and the best writer in the world, they will make the greatest piece of art in the world. And do you know what you would call that piece of art? You will call it a comic book (Adams, 2010).
No other medium has captivated our imagination like the American comic book. Comic books have been a source of inspiration and innovation for people of all ages for decades. With a history that can be traced as far back as the 1800s, comic books continue to thrill and excite readers. Using stories and characters that both challenged and uplifted readers, comic books have become an important part of the American way of life. From colored pages to 3D movie screens, American comic book publishers, writers, and artists are at the forefront of a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry. However, none of this would be possible if not for the creativity and dedication of DC Comics. This is the story of the men and women who revolutionize an industry one panel at a time; this is the story of DC Comics.
National Allied Publications, the company that would become DC Comics, was founded in 1934 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. Wheeler-Nicholson would go on to publish his first title, Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1, the first American comic book. The company added a second magazine, New Comics, which premiered with a Dec. 1935 cover date and at close to what would become the standard size of Golden Age comic books. However, in 1937 Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson was in debt and was compelled to take on printing-plant owner and magazine distributor Harry Donenfeld as a partner, in order to publish Detective Comics #1, Wheeler-Nicholsons finale title. Donenfeld along with his accountant, Jack S. Liebowitz and Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, created the subsidiary company Detective Comics Incorporated (Jones, 2005). A year after the creation of Detective Comics Incorporated, Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson went bankrupt and was bought out. Detective Comics Incorporated bought the remains of National Allied Publications at a bankruptcy auction.
History would be made in 1938 when two young Jewish kids from Cleveland would go on to create not only an iconic comic book character, but a whole new genre of comic book. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman, the first comic book superhero. Superman first appears in DCs forth title, Action Comics #1, becoming a major success. Within three issues the book had sold a million copies, newsstand dealers could not get enough (Adams, 2010). Supermans success was due to his origin, an immigrant from another world, who brings the best of his traditions to America; this resonated with a lot of people back in the late thirties and early forties. Supermans popularity would give rise to not only many other popular heroes but also DCs Golden Age of comics.
A year after the success of Superman, editors from DC sent out the call to writers and artists, asking for another Superman. Bob Kane, a young man from New York, would answer the call, I asked how much was (Jerry) Siegel and (Joe) Shuster making for Superman? Vince said, they made $800 a week, and I said for that kind of money youll have a hero by Monday (Kane, 2010). With the help of his friend, shoe salesman turned writer, Bill Finger, the two created the Batman. Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27, becoming an instant hit. Soon Batman and Superman would be joined by Bill Finger and Martin Nodells Green Lantern (1940) and Dr. William Marstons Wonder Woman (1941). Business was booming for DC Comics in the 40s, but this unfortunately would not last.
The 1950s would prove to be a difficult period for comic books. With the end of World War II many soldiers related the war experience with comic books, resulting in poor sales for many publishers. Critics also did not help the cause, blaming comics for the rise in juvenile delinquency. Many concerned parents staged comic book burnings. Public hearings were also held which led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a body created as part of the Comics Magazine Association of America. A tool used for the comics-publishing industry to self-censor the content of comic books in the United States. Member publishers submitted comic books to the CCA, which screened them for adherence to its Comics Code, and authorized the use of their seal on the cover if the books complied. Comic book sellers would only sell comics that had the seal. This led to many comic books being canceled and comic book publishers to fold. Only Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman would survive the transition.
DC Comics was in trouble and in need of change. Julius Schwartz would be the man to bring DC out of its stink by reinventing several Golden Age superheroes; We had to come up with new ideals. Someone at the editorial meeting asked, why dont we put out The Flash again? Yeah lets put out The Flash, but whos gonna edit Flash? Everyone looked at me (Schwartz, 2010). Schwartz along with writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome, and penciler Carmine Infantino recreated The Flashs origin and costume, giving him a modern day look and story. The new Flash would debut on October 1956 in the pages of Showcase #4, selling out at newsstands across the country. Under Julius Schwartz many DC Comics characters were updated with science fiction origins. Schwartz would revive the Justice League which in return led to the formation of Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics publisher asked editor Stan Lee to create a team of superheroes like DCs Justice League; Lees answer to the Justice League, the Fantastic Four.
The late 1960s and early 1970s would bring about more change for DC Comics. The company along with Warner Brothers became part of the same corporation. Ironically this led to a new generation of young idealistic artists and writers to join the company. Writers and artists who wanted to reflect in their stories what was going on in the time of race riots and draft burnings. Neil Adams and Dennis Oneil would do that with Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Adams and Oneil thru Green Lantern/Green Arrow openly spoke out against racism, over population, government corruption, poverty, and drug abuse. This would open many doors to new writers and artists, who saw comic books as a true art form, which was and is a direct reflection of the times. DC Comics was becoming a medium not just for young children but for adults as well.
DCs crossover success continued with popular television shows, Wonder Woman and the cartoon Super Friends. DCs biggest success at the time came in the form of a major motion picture. 1979s Superman, staring the late Christopher Reeve sparked a renewed interest in not only the character of Superman, but DC Comics itself. History was also made behind the scenes at the DC, when Jennet Kahn became the companys youngest and first female publisher two years prior. One of the first changes Kahn made was officially changing the name from National Periodical Publications to DC Comics (Secret Origin, 2010).
With Jennet Kahn at the helm, DC Comics enters into the Modern Age. In the 1980s DC Comics again adapts their characters to a new audience. Among the notable adaptations are Frank Millers Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Allan Moores Swamp Thing, and Neil Gaimans The Sandman. The Dark Knight Returns success gave way to the 1989 motion picture Batman, which was box office success. Neil Gaimans The Sandman would go to out sell many of DCs popular characters and drew in a whole new audience. Allan Moores Swamp Thing was also a success, but it is Moores epic The Watchmen that becomes not only a best seller but a literary masterpiece. Jennet Kahn along with editor, Karen Berger created the imprint Vertigo, for mature audiences. Under the Vertigo imprint writers and artists push the limits of what a comic book can be. Later, Milestone Media and Jim Lees Wildstorm Productions would also enter into a partnership with DC Comics, bringing in more new readers.
As DCs imprints brought in new audiences, Superman was losing his. In an attempt to bring in new readers, editor Mike Carlin and the Superman writing team of Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kesel, did the unthinkable, they had Superman killed (Secret Origins, 2010). It took roughly one year to plan out the production to publication. The mood of the team was positive according to Dan Jurgens:
"I can't speak for all of the creative teams, but I do believe we were generally excited by what we had planned. More than the 'Death of' story, we were excited by the 'Funeral for a Friend' issues. I think everyone was interested in exploring the world's reaction to Superman's death. I mean, how sad is it that Ma and Pa Kent couldn't acknowledge Superman as their son or attend his funeral (Jurgens, 2002).
Superman #75 saw the death of Superman, and becomes one of the bestselling comic books in history and receives international attention. Superman stays out of the comics for four months until his return in The Adventures of Superman #504, also a best seller.
In May 2011, DC announced that it would become the first comic-book publisher to begin releasing digital versions of their comics on the same day as paper versions. On June 1, 2011, as a way to appeal to todays audiences, DC announced the re-launch and renumbering of 52 of it comic titles. DC Comics today has form into a multi-billion dollar company, expanding into DC Entertainment. From 2-D pages to IMAX movie screens, DC continues to capture the imagination of audiences world-wide. After 76 years DC Comics still remains the standard of what a comic book is and can be.