Vintage Superman
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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.
Superman cartoon – The Pernicious Parasite
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Vintage “SUPERMAN” Coin op Penny Arcade strength tester All Original “VERY RARE $10,000.00 |
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SUPERMAN-GEORGE REEVES SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS+ VINTAGE CAST SIGNED PHOTOS+ALL PSA/DNA $4,498.00 |
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VINTAGE LUCITE CHAIRS SET of 6 SUPERMAN ICE CASTLE VERY HEAVY THICK AWESOME $3,999.00 |
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Mego Superman World’s Greatest Super Heroes 1979 AFA Graded Vintage $2,500.00 |
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Vintage 1954 Superman W Robot Lunchbox. $1,999.99 |
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SUPERBOY #1[1949]VINTAGE SUPERBOY $1,800.00 |
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Vintage Marx Tin Wind-Up Superman Turnover Tank NMIB 1940 DC Comics Rare $1,499.99 |
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Vintage 1967 SUPERMAN Lunchbox & Thermos Excellent to Near Mint By, King-Seeley $1,475.00 |
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Silver Age Vintage Showcase #9 Lois Lane Superman comic book CGC Graded 4.0 OW $1,400.00 |
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ACTION #18[1939]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $1,395.00 |
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ACTION #30[1940]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $1,350.00 |
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RARE Japanese FLYING Superman Vintage Building Tin Toy ★ Schylling $1,000.00 |
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Mego Pocket Super Heroes Comic Heroes Vintage 3 MOC and 19 Loose Superman MOC $999.00 |
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ACTION #27[1940]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $1,000.00 |
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BLACK COMIC Art Original SUPERMAN African-American Vintage RAM Harlem 1980s $899.00 |
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VINTAGE SUPERMAN RETRO SNAPBACK CAP $874.75 |
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MASSIVE GIANT Comic Book Lot of Over 330+ Vintage Superman Conan Thor Rare Title $497.99 |
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ACTION #25[1940]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $675.00 |
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SUPERMAN #7[1940]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $525.00 |
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VINTAGE SUPERMAN 1944 FULL COLOR TRANSFERS COMIC PREMIUM! $499.99 |
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SUPERBOY #2[1949]VINTAGE SUPERBOY $500.00 |
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Vintage Superman Door Poster – Poster Prints #4003 c. 1971 – Printed in USA – g $499.95 |
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Corgi Vintage 1979 Mint in Box Superman 3 Vehicle Gift Set #21 Mint Unused $499.95 |
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1972 EARLY BOX Mego SUPERMAN action figure DC Comics vintage and Acrylic Case $475.00 |
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SUPERMAN COMICS #10[1941]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $475.00 |
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Vintage 1981 Superman Rotary Telephone – 18″ Tall – Very Rare $459.99 |
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1979 Mego Superman!! (NEW UNOPENED VINTAGE FIGURE MARVEL GREATEST HEROES WGSH!!) $449.99 |
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SUPERBOY #3[1949]VINTAGE SUPERBOY $450.00 |
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Vintage Super Man Lone Ranger Patchwork Quilt Rare AMERICAN CULTURE Feedsack $450.00 |
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Vintage Estate Sale Find Rare Superman Pin 1930′s- 40′s? 50′s? DC Superman Club $435.85 |
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vintage 76 SUPERHEROS moon series PEPSI GLASSES FULL SET 14 batman superman $395.00 |
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VINTAGE 1972 MEGO WGSH 8″ SUPERMAN 1ST ISSUE MIB HIGH GRADE! $399.00 |
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SUPERMAN- SUPERMEN OF AMERICA Vintage 1959 Membership Certificate & Vintage Pin $397.00 |
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VINTAGE WATCHES -5-SUPERMAN-LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE-DICK TRACY-HOPALONG-ROCKETMAN $395.00 |
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RARE Vintage 1940′s – 1950′s SUPERMAN Swim Fins w/ Box & Safe Swimming Club Card $375.00 |
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Superman 2 Vintage Poster – Italian Rare!!! Old movie $350.00 |
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1969 VINTAGE PSYCHEDELIC DONOVAN LEITCH POSTER-ORIGINAL-RARE-SUNSHINE SUPERMAN $349.99 |
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Vtg Marx LineMar WindUp Superman Turn-Over Tank M-25 1950′s Comic Japan Tin Toy $334.99 |
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Superman II Vintage Italian Movie Poster $325.00 |
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Vintage Rare 1960s Superman Featuring Batman Board Game $279.99 |
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1970′s VINTAGE MEGO SUPERMAN MINT IN PACKAGE $300.00 |
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Vintage 1977 Marx DC Comics Superman Wrist Watch NIB $279.95 |
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SUPERBOY #28[1953]VINTAGE SUPERBOY $275.00 |
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SUPERMAN #109[1956]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $275.00 |
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VINTAGE 2 SUPERMAN & SUPERMAN COOKIE JAR CERAMIC MOLDS can ship if you arrange $275.00 |
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Vintage 1978 SUPERMAN Lunchbox and Thermos by Aladdin VERY EXCELLENT $265.00 |
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RARE vintage Japanese SUPERMAN CAPE mail order Japan in original mailer premium $250.00 |
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VINTAGE RARE AMERICAN FLYER 1948 SUPERMAN CATALOG $250.00 |
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VINTAGE HAND MADE SUPERMAN FIGURE 50′S OR 60′S ERA $249.99 |
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Christopher Reeve Superman Vintage SIGNED AUTOGRAPH UACC AFTAL Founders $229.07 |
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SUPERMAN #73[1951]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $225.00 |
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1955 SUPERMAN WRIST WATCH E INGRAHAM VINTAGE ORIGINAL CHARACTER OLD 1950s $229.00 |
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1984 SUPERMAN • AFA U90 NM+/MT • Includes vintage cardback and comic $225.00 |
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Mego Megolike Superman Car Mego-like Italian Vintage 1979 DC Fabianplastica $200.00 |
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Vintage Superman and Lois Lane Autographed Photo $195.00 |
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RARE VINTAGE LOT SEALED PKG OF 12 SUPERMAN “SILLY SACKS” 1971 COMIC PLASTIC BAGS $199.99 |
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Super Jew, Superman, Rare Vintage 1967 Hebrew Poster $199.00 |
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VINTAGE 1962 ACTION COMICS #285 POOR COMIC SUPERMAN SUPERGIRL $200.00 |
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SUPERMAN #94[1954]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $195.00 |
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VINTAGE 1954 TRANSOGRAM SUPERMAN FLYING TOY ORIGINAL GREAT CONDITION $200.00 |
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Vintage 1977 D.C. Comics SUPERMAN Autographed Poster!!! ORIGINAL POSTER $199.98 |
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Vintage Old Collectible Musette 1947 Superman Record #1 “The Flying Train” $187.77 |
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MEGO HALL OF JUSTICE 1976 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA BATMAN SUPERMAN VINTAGE RARE $175.00 |
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Vintage Superman Comics Mad – 1965 Mets progam Mickey Mantle Stamps 3 Stooges $170.00 |
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Vintage Superman Carnival Prize Statue 1930′s 1940s very rare version $169.00 |
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VINTAGE SUPERHERO BED SPREAD SHOWER CURTAINS NO.1 COMIC BOOK SUPERMAN BATMAN $150.00 |
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Awesome Akro Agate Large Square Ashtray Vintage Classic / S – Superman $168.71 |
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VINTAGE OLD 1950 DC SUPERMAN #65 COMIC BOOK VG $175.99 |
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SUPERMAN #91[1954]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $169.00 |
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Vintage Old Collectible Musette 1947 Superman Record #2 “The Magic Ring” $167.77 |
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Vintage Superman Watch In Box. Old Store Stock $167.39 |
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Vintage Fossil Superman Watch Mini Lunch Box LTD 0256 $159.99 |
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VINTAGE 1967 IDEAL CAPTAIN ACTION SUPERMAN FIGURE SET $149.00 |
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SUPERBOY #12[1950]VINTAGE SUPERBOY $149.00 |
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VINTAGE UNIQUE 1940 STERLING SILVER CHARM BRACELET 12 CHARMS SUPERMAN MONKEY ETC $145.00 |
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Vintage SUPERMAN Golden Record LP & Comic Book SEALED BOX SET DC Original 1966 $151.59 |
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SEALED Superman Golden Records box set patch comic DC Comics vintage $139.00 |
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vintage 1974 Marvel sticker Stick Ons Thor Superman Hulk Our Way Studio DC 1973 $139.00 |
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SUPERMAN #74[1952]VINTAGE SUPERMAN $145.00 |
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Vintage Japan Edai Grip SUPERMAN Chogokin MIP $145.00 |
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Vandor 18-Ounce Ceramic Mug … |
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Vandor 74001 Superman Sculpted Mug, Blue, 18-Ounce $13.45 This sculpted mug makes a great gift for any Superman fan. 18 oz. Not safe for microwave or dishwasher use…. |
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DC Comics Vintage Comic Covers Pint Set $29.95 Set of 4 pint glasses featuring vintage comic covers of some all-time favorite DC Comics superheroes including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman…. |
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Bill Cosby Is A Very Funny Fellow Right! $4.98 Thirty years young, Bill Cosby’s debut album makes its first appearance on compact disc. It contains the routine that put him on the map, his three-part telling of the story of Noah.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: COSBY,BILLTitle: IS A VERY FUNNY FELLOW RIGHT?Street Release Date: 01/24/1995… |
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Superman Classics $0.99 … |
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Cinnamon Bear Old Time Radio Volume 1 Ep.(1-6) This unique old time radio CD collectible features 6 digitized reels of classic Cinnamon Bear radio broadcasts and 72 Minutes of total running time on 1 CD. Episodes included are; Paddy O’cinnamon, Weary Willy, Crazy Quilt Dragon, The Inkaboos, Weasley The Wailing Whale, Samuel Seal. Take a journey back through radio broadcasting history with this large audio library of OTR memorabilia. The golden… |
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50 Classic All Star Cartoons Vol 1 [VHS] $8.85 … |
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Cartoon 5 Series Pack: Caspar the Friendly Ghost, Superman, The Three Little Bears, Old Macdonald, The Three Little Pigs $39.99 … |