Silver Age Comic Books
Comics started out as strips in the newspapers. It was in the 1930′s and 1940′s that comic books took off as cheap escapist entertainment that could be discarded. These comics provided much entertainment for the troops during World War II and this age came to be known as the golden age of comic books. Many super heroes were created during this period like Superman, Batman, Captain America, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. After the war, there was a decline in the demand for comic books with super heroes and comics now contained, crime, romance, horror and thrillers. These comic books were blamed for juvenile delinquency. So, in the mid 1950′s, the publishers decided on a revival of comic books with new super heroes being introduced. It was this age of comics that came to be referred to as the Silver Age of comic books and it lasted till the 1970′s.
It was in the Silver Age that Spiderman was introduced and the old super heroes were re-invented and it was in this period that the best super hero comic books were written. They surpassed the comics of the golden age and also the later period of comics. Silver Age comic books have become a collector’s item. They are collected for the sheer joy of collecting as well as for trading. Some of the mint copies command very high prices.
Collecting Silver Age comic books can be a hobby or a business. If you want to collect these comics, it is important that you read as many as you can. Also, take the time to learn the histories of these comic books, their authors and their publishers.
Knowing where to buy Silver Age comic books is important. The best places to buy them are the internet or conventions, as there are very few retailers of old comic books. The condition of the book determines its price. If the book is in mint condition, it commands a high price, while a well read book may be available for a few dollars. Also, while collecting these comics, knowing which are Silver Age comics is important. The usual way to know is to look at the printed price and if it is between 12 cents to 15 cents, it is a Silver Age comic.
Silver Age comic books are not only a way to re-discover the past but they are truly an enjoyable way to experience super heroes at their best and getting to know what made comic books such great entertainment.
Collecting Silver Age comic books can also be a fun hobby and will allow you to meet people who share your enthusiasm for this type of entertainment. Many collectors return to comic book conventions year after year as much to see friends that they have made through collecting, as much as for adding to the collections themselves. There are also forums and websites for Silver Age comic collectors that you can join to talk about new finds or simply your love of these simple books.