Important Early Science Fiction Comic Book Authors

By Tracie Knight


With all the conventions, movies, radio spots and television shows, it is easy to see that interest in fantasy and science fiction remain popular. Still, many early writers in these genres remain unknown. One of the best and earliest of these writers is A. D. Condo who created what is believed to be the earliest publication in the genre, Mr. Skygack from Mars. A single panel black and white strip about a visitor to earth which became popular in newspapers in the U. S. During the 1930s and 1940s.

Buck Rogers based on the series American Stories came onto the scene along with Flash Gordon, Brick Bradford, and the British character Dan Dare in the early 1960s. Representations of the first block buster, Superman, can still be found in a number of formats. While Superman owes most of his fame to these early science fiction Comic book authors, he is now considered part of a subset of genre.

A new wave of morality brought about by those believing these books were bad for children in the mid-60s, created a strong emotional response in parents. Many of which disallowed their children to read such material. Regardless of this opposition and a book called Seduction of the Innocent, by Frederick Wertham, the genre still remains popular.

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.

Early Japanese comics featuring elements of fantasy and science fiction were published in the 1950s. The earliest publishers of these books known as manga were Astro Boy, by Osamu Tezuka, others have since followed with the genre becoming more present in current culture, mostly in film and television.

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.

A number of early authors have become better known since the inception of the internet. Web strips have also become popular since the early 1990s. Some of these include Polymer City Chronicles, believed to be the earliest along with Starship Crisis and others. Older fans of the genre who may have had books taken away during the mid-60s due to the concerns of adult material released too early, greatly appreciate these new online editions.

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.




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