Centaur publications is credited with creating the first standalone western comics titles launching both star ranger and western picture stories with cover dates of february 1937. When i turn the page and read the pages from any graphic novel i can instantly recognized the art and the artist that drew in each comic panel. Like many comic book publishers of the day, hillmans wwii titles included costumed superheroes. By the time comic books based on movie and tv cowboys were extremely popular in the late 40s and 50s, hoot gibsons star had long faded at the box office so the big two of western movietv related comic publishers, dell and fawcett, were simply not interested in old hooter who wound up at fox features syndicate in 1950.
What else can be said synopsis this is one of a set of lists i made showing a. Western comics of the period typically featured dramatic scripts about cowboys, gunfighters, lawmen, bounty hunters, outlaws, and native americans. Why my mother threw out my comic books part 1 of 3 webages by adam blatner reposted november 18, 2009 this is based on a talk given on 61209 to the summer session of the senior university georgetown. This page will deal with the most valuable of all, golden age comic books. The insane history of how american paranoia ruined and censored comic books. By the time comic books based on movie and tv cowboys were extremely popular in the late 40s and 50s, hoot gibsons star had long faded at the box office so the big two of westernmovietv related comic publishers, dell and fawcett, were simply not interested in old hooter who wound up at fox features syndicate in 1950. Now, powerhouse books is pleased to present a collection of these uniquely american stories as told through a uniquely american mediumthe comic book. Get indepth insight into the anatomy of a comic book illustration with stepbystep breakdowns that walk you through the entire process. Growing up in the early 50s and 60s i have always loved western comics and stories.
However, the end of its partnership with western in 1968 meant the loss of the majority of its vital. The outlaws are held in check only by their notorious leader, but he is diagnosed with a fatal wound and the town is a powder keg waiting to blow. Western comics is a comics genre usually depicting the american old west frontier usually anywhere west of the mississippi river and typically set during the late nineteenth century. Lupoff in an article called rebirth in issue 1 of fanzines comic art in april 1960 shift from superheroes. This era is iconic because it is near the birth age of comic books. The insane history of how american paranoia ruined and censored comic. Two regular titles started in february, 1937 over a year before superman ushered in the superhero age cheslercentaur publications star ranger and comics magazines companys western picture stories, which featured the artwork of the legendary.
When i saw this collection golden age western comics edited by steven brower of old west comics for a reasonable price on amazon, i immediately ordered a copy. In this video, we take a look at my top 20 picks for the best, most culturally significant comic book of the 1950s. Adventures of captain marvel, a twelvechapter film serial adapted from the popular captain marvel comic book character for republic pictures, debuts. The first recorded use of the term golden age was by richard a.
Some strict collectors consider the era finished by 1950. Greatest 12 characters of the 1950s who is on this list, what this list is about and how they got on the list. She is among the first and most famous comic book superheroines. Top 100 most valuable comic books of the golden age 19381956 the 100 most valuable comic books from each age. As trends in the comic book market changed, the focus shifted more to crimedetective stories and westerns. Bill schelly authors the volume on the 1950s era of marilyn monroe and elvis presley, with a yearbyyear account of the most significant publications, notable creators, and impactful. By the time i was reading these in the late 60s and early 70s, they were part of the marvel comics empire along with other great western titles. Westerns have been a staple genre of comic books with some ups and downs since almost the beginning of the medium. The continuing sponsor was 20 mule team borax, a product formerly mined in death valley.
Then ace the bathound, streaky the supercat, comet the superhorse and beppo the supermoneky followed in kryptos pawprints. A cover gallery for the comic book tom mix western 1949 book covers tom mix western 17 a, may 1949 comic. Comic books in the 1950s the golden age of comic books origin of the term. Get the best deals on silver age western comics when you shop the largest online selection at.
Western comics and books page 1 of 5 comic book plus. Learn and apply the nuances that brings comic art to life with tips and tricks designed specifically to broaden your knowledge in the craft of comic book. You or your parents or grandparents might remember some of these popular comic strips from the funny pages back in the 50s. Greatest 12 characters of the 1950s comic vine comic. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Cowboy western comics 1954 comic read cowboy western. Childrens book illustration why witches eat children. We will say that the golden age begins in 1938 and ends in 1956, when the silver age began. The term is generally associated with an american comic books genre published from the late 1940s through the 1950s though the genre had continuing popularity. The texan comic book offered dusty, dangerous escapism. Accompanying artwork depicted a rural america populated with such iconic images as guns, cowboy hat. The insane history of how american paranoia ruined and. Get the best deals on golden age westerns comics when you shop the largest online selection at. See more ideas about western comics, comic books and tv westerns.
See more ideas about comic books, western comics and tv westerns. Rex the wonder dog and detective chimp were introduced to comic book fans before krypto came along. If youve stumbled across a find of vintage comic books and recognize one or more of the ones on this page, then stop whatever youre doing and contact us immediately for a free comic book appraisal. First, a brief history of comic books from their origins to the late 1940s. I have seen a lot of great covers in the gerber books but good stories are a must, nice artwork a bonus. A bound collection of these is available and very worthwhile. Cowboys have been slapping leather in the pages of comic books for pretty much as long as there have been comic books. Another, great character of the 1950s western boom. They were syndicated and ran in newspapers nationwide, so the whole country could follow along with the adventures of superheroes, silly folks, detectives, cowboys and everyday folks in humorous circumstances. In the 50s, he worked on a few western titles, including jesse james thats not his art, he didnt do the covers. Blaise starrett is a rancher at odds with homesteaders when outlaws hold up the small town. The term is generally associated with an american comic books genre published from the late 1940s through the 1950s. Reading comic books and graphic novels for 15 years of my life span i would like to list my top ten comic book artist on. Joe kubert, one of the undisputed masters of the whole comicbook thing, passed away this month.
The american comic book chronicles continues its ambitious series of fullcolor hardcovers where twomorrows top authors document every decade of comic book history from the 1940s to today. Golden age western comics lovingly reproduces in fullcolor, restored, complete scans of 20 of the best western storiesplus a few pinupscreated between the years 1948 and 1956. These are the years when comics were considered a new and exciting form of art. The golden age describes an era in the creation of comic books published between the years of 1938 and 1955. For the price of just ten cents an issue the texan offered up dusty, dangerous escapism for comic readers in the late 40s and early 50s. We are keeping a close eye on developments and hope to reopen by the end of april if not sooner, circumstances permitting. Truly rare comic books may come along once or twice in a lifetime. I would purchase comic books on lash larue, tim holt, the lone ranger, roy rogers and other older western heroes. Stanley andrews, robert taylor, ronald reagan, dale robertson.
The good news is we have both these historic issues in our collection. Dec 1, 2018 explore bettylake55s board all kinds of comic books of 50s. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Batman is one of the worlds bestknown and mostloved superheroes. Id like to start collecting some ga or sa western comics. Western stories and legends based, and filmed, in and around death valley, california.
Pulp fiction and comic strips had a massive readership. It was the first film adaptation of a comic book superhero. One of the longestrunning western series, originating on radio in the 1930s. While the traditional western genre is largely diminished compared to the glory days of the 40s and 50s, its absence has given way to a more flexible genre. The island that knew no law starring kid colt, art by russ heath. Hillmans more successful creations included the aviatoradventurer airboy, who got his start in air fighters comics, then later airboy comics. Joe kubert, one of the undisputed masters of the whole comicbook thing, passed away this month in the 50s, he worked on a few western titles, including jesse james thats not his art, he didnt do the covers. Over the years, he has been through many incarnations, from the sublime dark knight, to the ridiculous adam west era. Western comics is a comics genre usually depicting the american old west frontier and typically set during the late nineteenth century.