Comic Books Of The Baby Boomers Generation

16 Feb Comic Books Of The Baby Boomers Generation

The Baby Boomers Generation Comic Books

By Boomeryearbook.com

During the 1960’s I, along with most of my friends, became a huge fan of comic books. My love-affair began when one day while watching “Superman” my favorite TV show, I saw a tag saying that “Superman” was actually a comic character. I just had to have one.
Watching echo boomers and grandkids pouring over the pages of a comic book brought the memories of my childhood flooding back to me. I thought it would be nice to share my recollections with fellow boomers and see what you have to say about the comic-books experience.
Some great comics from the early times of the baby boomers are summarized here:

1. Blue Beetle Bo. 5: This was created when the co-creator of Spiderman and Doctor Strange, Steve Ditko, left Marvel comics and went to join Charlton Comics for lack of a better option. The baby boomers will remember this comic as it came as a welcome addition to the comic-world at a time when there was a serious dearth of quality comic books, mediocrity being the best they could offer.

2. Star spangled War Stories No. 141: Commercial comic books saw its first most popular series with the beginning of Enemy Ace written by Robert Kanigher with illustrations by Joe Kubert. It was set in World War 1 and revolved around a German fighter who suffered from a conscience.

3. The Spectre No. 1: This was the only issue in the short life-span of 1o issues that was illustrated by the genius Murphy Anderson himself. It was produced by DC comics.

4. Showcase 85: The baby boomers will remember this comic as a masterpiece in drawing. Illustrations were given by Joe Kubert who was also the writer of the comic series. Firehair is a child who is raised by Native Americans and while growing up finds himself spurned by other White settlers.

5. Metamorpho No. 1: Ramona Fradon showed her extraordinary artistic talent in this series of comic books. She only worked on 4 issues as she took leave to raise her daughter and the later issues could at best be described as mediocre imitations of her style. The baby boomers women can proudly say she still is one of the best comic book and comic strip artist’s around with works published in Superman, Fantastic Four and Batman, just to name a few.

6. Captain Action No. 4: It only lasted 4 issues but what incredible issues these were. These were based on a toy figure as well as another one of the most popular of DC comics, Hot Wheels.

7. Lois Lane No. 71: In January of 1968, came Lois Lane trying every moronic way to trap Superman into wedlock. From jealousy to trying on potions to turn her into superwoman or a monster; Lois tries them all. The baby boomers loved them for the sheer silliness and the light-hearted story line created by Kurt Shaffenberger.

8. Superman Annual No. 1: Now this one must have been one hell of a seller with a crisp, modern front page design. I doubt any of us was able to resist it. It has stories about the secret of Lex Luthor’s baldness and tales about the Kryptonite visions of the giant ape.

9. Showcase No. 56 and 75: Showcase is the best example of comics in the 1960s. These include The Creeper and The Hawk and the Dove in addition to others.

10. Bat Lash NO. 4: Written by Sergio Aragones and co-written by Denny O’Neill this issue is brilliant. Humor galore, the characters seem true and are drawn with perfection by Nick Cardy.

11. Peanuts: Now there was no bashing for the bad guys here, no super-human feats. The characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, were all so easy to relate to and so much fun. We baby boomers really took a liking to these comics.

12. Sad Sack: This was another of those comics spun around the world wars, in this case the second one. Created by George Baker, it was a sort of a personal insight into the war as he was a former army sergeant. He also illustrated almost all the comics in the series.

13. Batman and Robin: Now this one everyone liked. So no surprise for seeing it here on my list. Their secret identities secretly made me wish for one too. The colorful variety of villains added to the fun. And from the popularity of today’s movies, we all recognize the timelessness of the Joker, Penguin, Cat Woman, and Poison Ivy.

14. Classics: These were novels that were adapted as comics. You could find anything from Oliver Twist and Lord Jim to The Time Machine and Frankenstein. I can safely say that my interest in reading classic literature came from these comics.

15. And of course Archie, Reggie, Betty and Veronica. These comic books were so beloved and special they deserve their own article.

Did you have a favorite comic book? Come join memories with others at Boomeryearbook.

www.boomeryearbook.com is a free social networking site that pledges to help the baby boomers stay in touch with each other. Whether you are a member of the boomer generation or simply interested in learning more about the wonderful generation of baby boomers you will find something of interest here. By creating an account you can have instant access to the ever-growing list of fellow boomers, learn what everyone is doing, share common concerns and interests and catch up on old times. You can read psychological articles and explanations to online optical illusions and brain games (provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner) that have been shown to help ward off common elderly problems like depression and dementia. Come be a part of this amazing network of people and show the world the boomers are here to stay. The baby boomers generation changed the world. We’re not done yet!