Why are superheroes so popular?
Explore how superheroes evolved from comic-book characters into fixtures of popular culture.
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Transcript
Did You Know?
Why Superheroes Are So Popular The golden age of American superhero comics began in 1938, when DC Comics introduced Superman as the first costumed crime fighter in Action Comics #1. Despite the economic depression, Superman’s debut went remarkably well. Soon other companies began to take notice, creating their own versions of what were then called “long-underwear heroes.” Batman entered the scene in 1939, and Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and the Human Torch were not far behind. As inexpensive and uplifting reading material, superhero comic books were the perfect hobby for Great Depression-era readers—and when World War II broke out in 1939, comic books reacted: In 1941 Captain America made his first appearance on a Marvel Comics cover, punching Adolf Hitler. With new issues released biweekly or monthly, superhero comics were able to include timely references to current events. Their attention to the American civil rights movement, feminism, wars, and political scandals like Watergate garnered an audience of devoted fans that would follow the adventures of their favorite heroes for decades.
Why Superheroes Are So Popular The golden age of American superhero comics began in 1938, when DC Comics introduced Superman as the first costumed crime fighter in Action Comics #1. Despite the economic depression, Superman’s debut went remarkably well. Soon other companies began to take notice, creating their own versions of what were then called “long-underwear heroes.” Batman entered the scene in 1939, and Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and the Human Torch were not far behind. As inexpensive and uplifting reading material, superhero comic books were the perfect hobby for Great Depression-era readers—and when World War II broke out in 1939, comic books reacted: In 1941 Captain America made his first appearance on a Marvel Comics cover, punching Adolf Hitler. With new issues released biweekly or monthly, superhero comics were able to include timely references to current events. Their attention to the American civil rights movement, feminism, wars, and political scandals like Watergate garnered an audience of devoted fans that would follow the adventures of their favorite heroes for decades.
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