The Dark Age of Comics

Presenter: Lindsey Linford

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Fall

Faculty Mentor: Michaela Grobbel

Department: Modern Languages & Literatures

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1P5KSWjkoO2yE7fKMnvLj1F_PTemE1JnL

Abstract:
In 1986 a new age of comics called “The Dark Age of Comics” began. Comics were now geared toward an older audience and included more graphic violence and sexual content than had been seen in comics. The three comics that started this new age are Watchmen, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Crisis on Infinite Earths. These are arguably three of the most well-known comics ever. Two major influences led to this change in content and tone in comics. One was the rise of vigilantism in American society, triggered by the rise of crime from the 1960s through the 1980’s. This support of vigilantism in American society was reflected in the comics with vigilante characters becoming more popular. Another influence was the Cold War. In both Watchmen and The Dark Knight Rises the threat of nuclear destruction leaves a strong presence in the background of the actual story. In Crisis on Infinite Earths there is not a fear of nuclear destruction but the fear of complete destruction by an anti-matter wave reflecting the same fear of nuclear destruction. These comics reflect the times in which they were produced and are still extremely popular today.