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Wednesday 30 April 2014

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 was birthed in the 1960s along with Brick Bradford, Flash Gordon and Dan Dare. Superman followed a short time later. Science fiction comic book authors are responsible for the birthing and growth of this great genre, especially A. D. Condo. Without Mr. Skygack from Mars, the entire genre may have never been realized.

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.

It was not long before the industry rebounded with new books and characters aimed at teens and young adults. During this period, another wave of new material hit the market. Among these new releases were comic books, music and posters related to free love, hippies and music.

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 character developed by authors in the UK. It was not until the mid to late 1960s that the genre became popular after the release of the The Trojan Empire. A series that included comics published in Look and Learn, a book devoted to teaching art as well as entertaining children.

Other authors have become more well known all over the world since the establishment of the internet. Web strips have since also become extremely popular. The most well known of these are most likely two of the earliest, Polymer City Chronicles and Starship Crisis. The internet has allowed a venue for artists and authors all over the world to connect and interact while sharing various forms of art, including comics and graphic novels.

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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