Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes When would you say the Silver Age started for Superman?

The Batman aliens covers are some of the most fun to look at. I definately don't count them towards his Silver Age continuity, but they're a blast to see! My Dad hated them as a kid, but when we put them up on display (we have a good amount), it's fun even for him.

I think Batman's transition is accompanied by a few particulur villians: Clayface and Catman. Both were big-time baddies in the Silver Age with many subsequent returns (even in World's Finest). Clayface was almost Batman's Brainiac if you look at it like that. Of course, Bats already had Joker, Penguin, Catwoman and Two-Face, while Supes didn't have that large of a Rogues Gallery.

If we're getting into Batman, I'm curious to know if Mr. Freeze, the Mad Hatter and Dr. Hugo Strange first appeared. I know the Riddler, Calender Man, and Blockbuster are pretty much all Silver Agers (with Poison Ivy a bit later), but I can't remember when the first three I mentioned first appeared.

Bat-mite is another I'm unsure about (when did he first appear?), but I'd say Batwoman and Batgirl are pretty solid as Silver Agers.

Just to make it more confusing

Thanks, EDE! See, I'd put Ace, Bat-Mite and Batwoman as part of Bat's Silver Age experience, or at least a prelude to it.

Although 1955 is still a bit early. I guess like Krypto, I'd file Ace and Batwoman under "Prelude to and Beginnings of the Silver Age".

Bat-Mite, in 1958, is definately Silver Age.

Here\'s the site where I got the above data, if you're interested.

Like I said tho, Batman's unique among the carryovers in that his Golden Age comics were definately Silver Age (E1) continuity. Because of that, timings become less important, since cuts are going to be made somewhere. And the aliens/time travel/"I'm a human fish" stuff really doesn't go with the later stuff. Although, Batwoman has to be in, I suppose. I wouldn't count on Bat-Mite tho.

Bat-Girl was in Titans West pre-Crisis wasn't she? So I guess that would move her and Batwoman into Silver Age continuity, if not all the other stories of that era.

So, which do you all prefer: the Krypton Crawl, the Bat-Watusi or the Shurg? Shouldn't more heroes have their own associated dance craze, like the Lobo-Limbo or something?

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" 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).

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.

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?

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.

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

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



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

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

I actually think Watchmen may be the ending point for the "Bronze" age.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.