Since their inception, comics have regularly been
dismissed as merely "kid's stuff." Why?
Today, more and more people in the academic world have come to see the merit of comic books as a story-telling medium. However, the general public has yet to reach this level of perception. For the most part, comic books are generally viewed as mere “kid's stuff.” Without a change in this attitude, the new-found academic respect could reach an impasse. Given current opinion, imagine the look on some parents’ faces when their child informs them that their tuition money is going toward a comic book class and textbook money is being spent on graphic novels. Why is this stigma attached to comic books and what can be done to combat it?
Initially it may be hard to view a man wearing a bright, red cape and his underwear on the outside of his tights as anything but fodder for children’s fantasy. However, this doesn’t stop the millions upon millions of people, adults included, who flock to the theaters every summer to watch countless super-powered exploits on the big screen. Over the past decade comic books have evolved from a small niche market to a pop culture phenomenon. A brief look at the all-time box office records shows the list heavily weighted in favor of the spandex-clad. In fact two of the top five grossing R-rated films are comic book adaptations. No one would argue that an R-rated film is a form of children’s entertainment. So, if the general adult public is willing to accept the characters, themes, and ideas presented in these films, why is there such a lack of adult acceptance for the original print medium that spawned these cinematic works?
Most of the troubles for the comic book industry can be traced back to the 1940s, both the pinnacle of their success and the start of their abysmal decline. At the time, comic books were the most popular form of entertainment in America. With television still in its infancy, they were the only form of “visual” storytelling available in the home. The books sold nearly a hundred million copies a week, with an average issue passed along or traded to six to ten readers. In those days comics were reaching more people than movies, television, newspapers, and magazines combined. But, as it goes, a large medium makes for a big target.
Need to drop a few extra bucks on Wednesday? Pick this up: Spider-man: The Clone Saga
Seen any good movies lately? Surrogates comic-to-film comparison, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
Want another reason to be grateful for the few good comic movies we have? Nic Cage as Superman
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