Vintage Bronze
American Comic Books: The Bronze Age Golden Age
When people ask me why I dedicated my site Steve Does Comics to Bronze Age comics and not to the more celebrated Silver or Golden Ages, I say the answer’s simple. It’s because, for me, the Bronze Age was the Golden Age of comics.
Admittedly, this may have something to do with my own vintage. I grew up in that self-same Bronze Age. However, thanks to Marvel UK’s weekly reprints, I also grew up reading Silver Age mags and, thanks to DC’s 100 page comics, Golden Age tales were always to hand.
It’s true the Golden Age may have seen the peak of comic sales, with titles like Captain Marvel selling over a million copies a month, and super-heroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman hitting the shelves for the first time.
The Silver Age may have been the form’s renaissance, with the Marvel Age giving us the likes of Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk and the Fantastic Four, as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby reinvented the form.
But, for me the true Golden Age of the American Comic Book fell between 1968 and 1978. Now, some may argue with those as the dates for the Bronze Age and I can understand that. It’s always been a tricky time to tie down but I’ve always felt Marvel’s expansion of 1968 and DC’s implosion of 1978 are natural bookmarks to an era. It’s a time when both Marvel and DC took the energy of their 1960s’ revolutions and ran with it, taking comics into whole new directions. Jack Kirby and Stan Lee may have opened up new vistas in story telling but they were still operating with a relatively narrow palette.
It was in the Bronze Age when that palette widened. Suddenly, thanks to Roy Thomas, we had licensed characters like Conan the Barbarian, and, freed from the over-regulation of the Comics Code, Marvel saw the emergence of horror-based titles like Tomb of Dracula, Frankenstein and Werewolf by Night, not to mention their Black and White mags like Savage Sword of Conan, Tales of the Zombie and Monsters Unleashed.
Never ones to be left out, DC did horror too, with the likes of Weird War Tales, The Witching Hour, The Unexpected and House of Mystery. Some of these titles were launched before 1968 but there was always a sense the Bronze Age was their natural home.
Speaking of horror, we shouldn’t forget those boys from Derby, Charlton Comics, still going strong in the Bronze Age and even giving us a bit extra with the likes of E-Man and John Byrne’s Rog (2000).
But Charlton weren’t the only independents around. We still had the likes of Dell, Gold Key, Skywald and – in the UK – Alan Class to choose from. In 1975, Marvel founder Martin Goodman even gave us a brand new comics company, by the name of Atlas. It might not’ve lasted long but, in its brief time in our world, it gave us yet another publisher whose titles we could collect.
1975 was clearly a special year as, besides the launch of Atlas, we saw the re-launch of The X-Men, an act that would have profound impact on the comics industry for decades to come. Following a couple of years on from The Amazing Spider-Man’s Death of Gwen Stacy and a year after the intro of the Punisher, things were changing forever. As if to rub it in, we also got (1974)’s creation of Wolverine, (1976)’s epoch-making cross-over Superman vs Spider-Man, the afore-mentioned Tomb of Dracula, Jack Kirby’s Kamandi, Michael Fleisher’s Spectre and even Art Saaf’s less ground-breaking but still-pleasing reinvention of Supergirl. And have there really been many comics better than Steve Gerber’s Defenders, a saga of super-heroes who just didn’t fit in?
So, when people say, “Steve, what’s the big fuss about the Bronze Age when you could be celebrating the Silver or Golden Ages?” I have no hesitation in telling them that, sometimes, if you scratch away a surface of bronze, beneath it, what you find might be purest gold.
About the Author
Hi, I gave the world the blogs Steve Does Comics and Steve Does Everything, not to mention the novels Danny Yates Must Die and Mr Landen Has No Brain (still available from all good online bookstores), plus various other crimes against humanity that are too numerous and shameful to mention.
Stagg Vintage Bronze 21″ Medium Sizzle Ride (2773g)
|
|
Old Dutch International Antique Embossed Canisters, Set of 4 $44.49 4 Pc. Antique Heritage Copper Canister Set. Beautifully chaised grapevine motif is handcrafted by skilled artisans, making each an individual work of art! Antique Copper Finish. Generous 1 Qt, 1½ Qt, 2 Qt & 4 Qt capacities…. |
|
|
Old Dutch International Antique Embossed Standing Paper Towel Holder, 13-Inch $15.08 Tuscan inspired grapes paper towel holder/stand is a beautiful piece of art. Three dimensionalgrapes cluster finial and aged antiqued copper finish give this piece a rich appearance. Embossed base is highly detailed and elegant. Rubber feet on bottom prevent sliding or scratching tabletop or counter surfaces. Measures 15″ high…. |
|
|
3 TIER WIRE nickel HANGING fruit veg Basket KITCHEN NU $13.95 Fill these baskets with whatever you please. This pretty yet practical 3 tiered hanging basket is ideal for the kitchen, bath, laundry, or ANYWHERE. The only limit is your imagination. (and up to 10 pounds maximum !) Made of wire with modern satin nickel finish |
|
|
Elgin 3514E Bedside Alarm Clock $4.65 Accurate quartz movementLighted dial on demandAscending alarmBrushed silver metal case and glass lensRequires 1 AA battery (not included)… |
|
|
Crosley CR92 Country Wall Phone II – Oak $60.99 Hello! Old time charm in a modern phone! It looks like you’d be on the “party line,” phone number BR-549! But it’s actually a contemporary, clear Phone, now complete with speakerphone function! Authentically styled, handcrafted cabinet with rich oak finish; Push-button dialing with rotary look, select pulse or tone; Receiver and ringer volume control; Hinged storage compartment; Redial Hold / mute… |
|
|
Hunter Ceiling Fans 23855 Original Classic 52 Fan – Black Cast Iron Indoor Fan 52 $314.10 The Hunter Fan 23855 is an Original Classic Ceiling Fan with the Three Speed Pull Chain in the Black motor finish. A true legend–cooling homes and businesses since 1903 This Ceiling Fan is from the Original Classic Collection and is UL Indoor rated. The Original Classic Includes 3″ (3/4″ Interior Diameter) Pole…. |
|
|
Westinghouse Contemporary Trio Three-Light 42-Inch Five-Blade Ceiling Fan … |
|
|
Sheffield 1126 Porcelain Touch-Up $2.63 Will not turn yellow. Gives a hard, waterproof, glazed finish to any chipped porcelain or tile surfaces on drain boards, bathtubs, refrigerators, and stoves. Withstands temperatures up to 400 F. Restores natural and original beauty. Ready to use. 1 oz. size…. |
|
|
Alsons Delta Seven-Spray Hand Shower … |
|
|
Australian Gold Almost Famous Triple Bronzer 8.5 Fl $26.95 Darkest Triple Bronzer with Hemp: You’ll have a famously dark tan with the amazing new triple bronzing formula with Lipocare contouring blend…. |
|
|
Cle De Peau Palette Vintage 12.5g/0.44oz $110 A velvety powder palette Contains a dominant shade of creamy nude peach & smaller accents of pale pink & bronze With an ultra-fine texture that easily glides on skin Can be used on face cheeks or dusted on shoulders & chest for highlighting Gives a radiant golden finish Packaged in a luxurious multi-faceted jewel-like compact Comes with a brush applicator |
|
|
Vintage Calendars $45 A vintage monogram and flourished text add sophistication to this photo calendar design, while allowing your photos to remain in the spotlight. |
|
|
Vintage Frame Personalized Stationery $1.52 The vibrant colors in this vintage-inspired personalized stationery is perfect for the adventurous sender. |
|
|
Miami Dolphins Unsigned Vintage Pennant $51.17 Miami Dolphins Unsigned Vintage Pennant Miami Dolphins Unsigned Vintage Pennant |
|
|
Minnesota Vikings Unsigned Vintage Pennant $36.55 Minnesota Vikings Unsigned Vintage Pennant Minnesota Vikings Unsigned Vintage Pennant |
|
|
Antique Colored Document Frame with Certificate, Metal, 8-1/2 x 11, Bronze $7.99 This document frame with antique coloring has an elegant vintage display that’s perfect for a traditionally decorated office or home. Includes a versatile 8 1/2 x 11 certificate for creating your own personalized award. With easel back for desktop use; also hangs vertically or horizontally. Frame Type: Certificate, Document; Frame Material: N/A; Frame Color: Antique Bronze; Height: 11 in. |
|
|
Vintage Team Up Marvel Heroes Tee for Men $24.5 Vintage Team Up Marvel Heroes Tee for Men |
|
|
Adult Opaque Tights with Vintage Flowers $4.48 Opaque tights with vintage multicolored flower prints |
|
|
Steve Owens Lions Vintage 8×10 Photograph Vintage $48.51 Steve Owens Lions Vintage 8×10 Photograph Vintage Steve Owens Lions Vintage 8×10 Photograph Vintage Every signed item comes fully certified with a tamper proof hologram certificate of authenticity and is backed by the SportsMemorabilia.com Authenticity Guarantee. |
|
|
vintage bike Personalized Stationery $1.52 A charming vintage bicycle illustration and preppy stripes neatly couple in creating a feeling both whimsical and poised on these personal stationery cards. |
|
|
Vintage Graduation Announcements $1.51 These graduation announcements incorporate a vintage monogram and flourished text, while allowing your photo to remain the focus of the design. |
|
|
Vintage Baby Birth Announcements $1.67 These birth announcements incorporate a vintage monogram and flourished text, while allowing your photo to remain the focus of the design. |
|
|
Vintage Save the Date Cards $1.82 These save the date photo cards incorporate a vintage monogram and flourished text, while allowing your photo to remain the focus of the design. |
|
|
Vintage Hanukkah Hanukkah Cards $1.51 With a touch of whimsy, these vintage monogrammed holiday cards feature ornate text to emphasize a beautiful family photo. |
|
|
Vintage Ranch Wedding Invitations $2.15 Opt for vintage-modern wedding invations. Small details and different typefaces make a big impact. |
|
|
Billy Martin Vintage pin $82.36 Billy Martin Vintage pin This is an original vintage pin with New York Yankees Billy martin on the front. It is in Mint condition, very rare! |
