One of the first creators of comics was william hogarth 1697 1764. They square off against a team of villains called the. Two hundred golden age comics, including the first appearances of batman. Not much older than dyke who, at 65, has handed over the day to day to his staff. Today the earliest known comic book is called the adventures of obadiah oldbuck. Along with stocking a wide range of comics, books theres a section known simply as mayhem, zines stationary supplies, and even an adult section, quimbys hosts readings and a. The sales of comic books increased markedly during world war ii. The glasgow looking glass, published in 1826, was arguably the first comic magazine. A satirical publication, later known as the northern looking glass. The marvel universe might not be as old as dcs, but its created a mythology equal in scale. Captain america was pictured battling adolf hitler on the cover of the very first issue. Americas 10 greatest comic and graphic novel stores. Since the debut of superman in 1938 by jerry siegel and joe shuster, stories of superheroes ranging from.
When you flip through a comic book, youre looking at a medium that has existed for less than a century. Originally published in several languages in europe in 1837, among them. Did you know that you can also sell your vintage and limited edition comic books at catawiki. When it comes to rare comic books, few are as important as the origin and 1st appearance of batman. Were not focusing on any specific universes, but listing superheroes who were written as being old at any given time in their respective comic multiverses. The book just began a new series, so its a good time to jump on and start reading. The term comic book derives from american comic books once being a compilation of comic strips of a humorous tone. Top 10 most valuable comic books of all time youtube. The universe itself, much like our own, is billions of years old, and with countless. Comic book franchise universes also go through several reboots and resets. One of the first creators of comics was william hogarth 16971764. Batman is one of the worlds bestknown and mostloved superheroes. Jerry siegel and joe shuster, soon to be known for creating superman, began. Within those approximate 80 years, comic book stories and the avatars within have.
A market for such comic books soon followed, and by 1938 publishers were printing. And i think cap is the oldest living human, being in his late 20s in 1940, and still being in his physical prime today. Based on these factors, the top 10 most valuable old comic books if in mint condition as of early 2009 are. The 50 greatest comicbook characters movies empire. We know our wonder friends have all the imagination and talent it takes to. The creations of bon kane, bill finger, jerry siegel, joe shuster, stan lee. Best comic superheroes who arent from marvel or dc. Wikimedia commons has media related to comic books. The greatest comicbook characters in the canon have been debated and argued over for decades.
Scholars believe the oldest comic book in the world is the adventures of obadiah. The oldest comic publishing company on this list is the nowdefunct book publishing company, david mckay publications that was founded in 1882 and published comics from 1935 to 1950. Worlds oldest comic book boasts an allwoman cast, plenty of good. But other countries had them before us and many of them were like our comic. Comic book franchise universes also go through several reboots and resets, and as such, there are different eras and universes where superheroes have different origin stories and even ages. The oldest comic book american as we know it today was superman in 1938. The first modern comic book, famous funnies, was released in the us in 1933 and was a reprinting of earlier newspaper humor comic strips, which had established many of the storytelling devices used in comics. Golden age collectibles might be the oldest comic store in. Strips are, of course older, the roots of little orphan annie date. Yoe, a comic book aficionado, is cocurator of comics stripped, an exhibit that opened this week at new york citys museum of sex and traces the titillating history of erotica in comic books.
The history of comics has followed different paths in different parts of the world. Blueprint s1 e3 spiderman to spawn, how todd mcfarlane became the biggest comic book artist ever blueprint duration. A satirical publication, later known as the northern looking glass, it lampooned the fashions and politics of the times. Wolverine is the oldest xman, having been born in the late 1800s. Through a natural evolution, cartoons developed into comic books, first through. John cumberland, more known as the high, is a mysterious superhero who is. And its pages introduce us to the first female superhero team in recorded history, the virtues. The big comic book database an online searchable database of comic book and creator information. Founded in 1961, golden age collectables is thought to be the oldest comic book shop in the world. The following is a list of the first known appearances of various superhero fictional characters and teams a superhero also known as a super hero or superhero is a fictional character of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derringdo in the public interest.