Legion World   
my profile | directory login | search | faq | calendar | games | clips | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Legion World » LEGION CLUBHOUSE » The Legion of Super-Heroes » When would you say the Silver Age started for Superman? (Page 3)

 - Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!   This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3   
Author Topic: When would you say the Silver Age started for Superman?
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Cobalt Kid           Edit/Delete Post     
No, Bat-Mite definately was pushed out continuity at some point (I really did like that LoTK story, circa #38, a few years back, though).

I agree SoM, it's a lot harder for Batman. The way you've got it set up makes the most sense for his continuity. And I like your idea that the aliens/time travel/"i'm a human fish" [LOL] was the E2 Bats.

As for the actual 'feel' in the comic books for when the Silver Age started, I'd say the transition really occured with appearances of first Ace and Batwoman, then Batgirl, Clayface, Catman and other villians that had staying power (besides Bat's big four).

Also, it's obvious that by the time Batman became the regular in Brave and Bold, the Silver Age was underway (just thought I'd add that in there).

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kid Prime
Founder
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Kid Prime           Edit/Delete Post     
Of course, for simplicity's sake, one could just say that all issues of Superman and Batman immediately following the first appearance of Barry Allen and thereafter were Silver Age. [Razz]

Another interesting question would be at what time did the Silver Age stop at DC and the next age (is there even a name?) begin... and what would be the pivotal issues there. Maybe Cockrum's beginning on Superboy/LSH? Or the classic "Speedy is a JUNKIE!!!" issues of GL/GA?

--------------------
White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.

From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Vee
Still smoooooth!
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Vee   Email Vee         Edit/Delete Post     
I think it's sometimes been refered to as the Bronze Age and/or the Modern Age. Not sure that either has really stuck or is actually used exclusively for that period.

The classic "Speedy Is A Junkie" issue is certainly about the right point. I think about the same time the Titans gave up their uniforms, the JLA was revamped, Black Canary "moved" from Earth 2 to Earth 1, Cockrum transformed the Legion by revamping their uniforms, DC started offering what I would call "real life" issues (Drugs, Runaways, Prejudice, etc) as opposed to simply battling space aliens or super criminals.

--------------------
"Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"

From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Cobalt Kid           Edit/Delete Post     
Hm, "Speedy is a Junkie" is a possibility. For Marvel, it's definately the death of Gwen Stacy IMO. I like to pick out a certain point for each comic book though, to get a feel for when each comic entered (or exited) the Silver Age.

Dave Cockrum on LSH seems good to me Kippers! I'm not quite as familiar with the Superman books though, to give an accurate issue for any of his series. I haven't gone through the Batman issues since before High School, so I'm having trouble remembering a good turning point there too.

And just for the sake of making myself laugh, I will from now on declare that it was Krypto, not Barry Allen, that began the Silver Age [Razz]

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Reboot
Common sense is neither common, nor sense.
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Reboot   Author's Homepage   Email Reboot         Edit/Delete Post     
quote:
Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
And I like your idea that the aliens/time travel/"i'm a human fish" [LOL] was the E2 Bats.

I'm not joking about the human fish one, BTW (even if I wish I was [Smile] ):

Click for fullsize image

quote:
Originally posted by Kid Prime:
Of course, for simplicity's sake, one could just say that all issues of Superman and Batman immediately following the first appearance of Barry Allen and thereafter were Silver Age. [Razz]

That's too simple to work, tho. It assumes that the Superbat people gave a damn about the red suited clown in Showcase [Smile]

quote:
Originally posted by Varalent:
I think it's sometimes been refered to as the Bronze Age and/or the Modern Age. Not sure that either has really stuck or is actually used exclusively for that period.

Post-Silve is definately Bronze, but where that ends is open to debate. I think Crisis is the best spot for that.

Modern Age is always "Now", whenever now may be [Smile]

[ July 27, 2004, 12:46 PM: Message edited by: Sanity or Madness? ]

--------------------
My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cobalt, Reboot & iB present 21st Century Legion: Earth War.

From: The Mainframe | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kid Prime
Founder
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Kid Prime           Edit/Delete Post     
I actually think Watchmen may be the ending point for the "Bronze" age.

--------------------
White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.

From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kid Prime
Founder
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Kid Prime           Edit/Delete Post     
It's also possible that either Daredevil (Kevin Smith) #1 or Ultimate Spider-Man #1 has begun a new NEW age, as well. Of course, we'll have to wait 10-20 years to see if it holds up to the test of time.

--------------------
White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.

From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kid Prime
Founder
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Kid Prime           Edit/Delete Post     
quote:
Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I haven't gone through the Batman issues since before High School, so I'm having trouble remembering a good turning point there too.


Neal Adams's run would be a strong possibility there.

--------------------
White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.

From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
doublechinner
Active
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for doublechinner   Email doublechinner         Edit/Delete Post     
I didn't see it mentioned, but here is a GREAT website on the history of Superman:

http://theages.superman.ws/comics.php

The author argues that there was a distinct Superman between the Golden Age (1938-1948)and the Silver Age (1958-1970), defined by Jerry Siegel's absence, the science fictionalization of the Superman origin and mythos, a fluctuating continuity.

The author, who is NOT fond of Superman's treatment post-Byrne, defines the Superman from the mid-1980s to about 2000 as the "Iron Age," and then argues that the efforts of people like Jeph Loeb and Mark Waid are creating a new version of Superman distinct from this Iron Age persona.

Anyway, the site's lots of fun, and an invaluable reference source.

--------------------
...but you don't have a moment where you're sitting there staring at a table full of twenty-five characters with little name signs that say, "Hi, my superpower is confusing you!"

From: Chicago, IL | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kid Prime
Founder
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Kid Prime           Edit/Delete Post     
The "Iron Age" from the mid-1980's to about 2000 and then a new current age beginning there would fit right into my hypothesis.

--------------------
White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.

From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cobalt Kid
BOHICA
Offline

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Cobalt Kid           Edit/Delete Post     
Thanks doublechinner! Cool site!

And Kippers, have you ever read Craig Schutt's (Mr. Silver Age) discussions about when the various ages began? He goes into immense detail about the various companies and characters to determine when each different age began.

It's a lot to get into, but basically he believes that between every age there is a 'cooling off' period, that usually coincides with a dip in comic book sales. He says that the Silver Age officially begins with Showcase #4 (although there were some preludes) and ends with Amazing Spider-Man #122, although some comics fall outside these parameters.

He then calls the great comic age that saw Byrne and Claremont's X-Men, Miller's Daredevil, Watchman, Dark Knight Returns, etc. something like "the Diamond Age", since other labels like Iron seem so crude for such a fine age. He says there are a few points to show the start of this (a la Giant Size X-Men #1) and a few places to end it (Legends of the Dark Knight #1 and the adjectiveless X-Men #1 to name a few). Basically, these books are significant as they have multiple #1's with variant covers, foiled covers, signify the new 'grim and gritty' era that hit *every* title (which Watchman and DKR started, but hadn't spread everywhere), and some other things.

It's very intersting, I hope someone has links and stuff (I read it in CBG). After this end, the rest of the 90's weren't much of an era at all, according to Schutt, but a 'cooling off' period. We may be in a new Age now with an upswing in the industry and many good comics being produced.

From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
  This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic | Subscribe To Topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Legion World

Legion of Super-Heroes & all related proper names & images are ™ & © material of DC Comics, Inc. & are used herein without its permission.
This site is intended solely to celebrate & publicize these characters & their creators.
No commercial benefit, nor any use beyond the “fair use” review & commentary provisions of United States copyright law, is either intended or implied.
Posts made on this message board must not be reproduced without the author's consent.

Powered by ubbcentral.com
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2

ShanghallaThe Legion World Star