Comics are graphical or pictorial representations accompanied with dialogues, and are used to make a point or simply tell a story. The art of using pictures to tell stories has been around for a long time now, and is an attractive medium that attracts the young and old alike. In the present day, comics usually refer to satirical or humorous depictions to point out the political or societal issues.
Although different cultures had used pictures to tell stories, it was only during the later part of the 19th century that comics became popular in Europe and the US. In the early 1900s, the first comics with pictures and dialogues are said to have originated in France, whereas the speech balloons had become popular during the mid 19th century. Between the years 1920 and 1930, Hergé had created the popular comic character TinTin.
In the year 1938, the popular action comic 'Superman', which was created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, was launched. Even today, sueprman is among the most loved comic superheroes in the world. The success of Superman led to creation of more such characters like Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Flash Gordon, Green Lantern and Captain Marvel, which remains as one of the most popular comics of all times.
Archie, the most popular teen comic hero, was created in the year 1941, and by 1946, and entire range of Archie Comics hade been created. Popular animated characters like Tarzan, Phantom, Mickey Mouse, and Donald Duck had their own comic books soon. In 1950, Charles M. Schulz, created the famous Peanuts and gang, and in the 1980s, Bill Watterson had created the smartest comic kid and his pet, Calvin and Hobbes.
Today, comic strips are extremely popular among different cultures, and are regularly featured in newspapers, magazines, and even on the internet. |
