Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Platinum Age of Comic | The Culture of Comics
The Platinum Age of comics has no official start point, as it’s considered pre-superhero comics and can encompass pulps, penny dreadfuls, and novels, and even early myths and legends which helped to inspire comics. The Platinum Age, did however last until 1938 when Action Comics #1 was first published and introduced the world to Superman. While there is debate over who the first official superhero was, there is no doubt that the first official comic book was The Yellow Kid which was first published on February 17, 1895, by the newspaper New York World. The use of the character to sell newspapers is where the term “yellow journalism” originated, better known today as Click Bate. Before that however, it can be argued that the Georgian and Victorian Eras of culture is where the platinum age can be said to have “officially” began.
In 1837, the people of London began reporting sightings of a creature that would jump through the London skyline at night and attack women. The urban legend later became a huge influence on popular culture in London and eventually made it into fictional publication in the Penny Dreadfuls which were precursors to pulps and comics in 1886.
In 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo was brought into publication. The count was the precursor to Batman, Zorro, and the Punisher and elements of each can be found within the story of a man who was framed and wrongfully convicted, imprisoned, learned to fight, escaped, amassed a fortune, then developed a secret identity to get revenge.
In 1905, The Scarlet Pimpernel established the idea of a hero with a secret identity trope in pop culture. The character was a wealthy man who wore a mask and rescued people from the guillotine.
In 1912, John Carter of Mars made his first appearance in A Princess of Mars. The character was the precursor to and became one of the inspirations for Superman. The same year, Tarzan of the Apes was first published in magazine form and set the stage for heroes of the underserved.
In 1928, Buck Rogers became the first science fiction hero during his first published story in the novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” which set the stage for other sci-fi heroes such as Flash Gordon, Adam Strange, Green Lantern, and Luke Skywalker. Shortly after, in 1930, the Shadow made his debut in the Detective Story Hour via radio and then made his physical appearance in the pulps in 1931 then later made his first comic book appearance in 1949. The Shadow went on to become one of the inspirations for Batman. His impact on the character was made canonical during Steve Orlando’s Batman/The Shadow crossover in 2017, where the writer made the Shadow one of Bruce Wayne’s mentors during his time training to become the Dark Knight.
In 1931, Dick Tracy hit the scene via newspaper comic strip form. The impact the character had on pop culture not only paved the way for James Bond, but also every other crime drama and spy thriller out there. It also inspired the iWatch when the title character first spoke into his radio watch. The character made his first comic book appearance in 1936. In 1933, The Lone Ranger first appeared on radio, in comic strips in 1938, and in comic books in 1948; and was inspired by the real-life Texas Ranger by the name of Bass Reeves who was one of the first African American law men in America and was notorious for being incorruptible to the point that he even arrested his own son and took him to the noose for hanging. The Lone Ranger went on to inspire The Green Hornet who was revealed in comic book continuity at the great nephew of the Lone Ranger.
In 1933, Doc Savage the Man of Bronze came on the scene and is regarded by many as the FIRST superhero. He was one of the inspirations for Batman as well as Superman and even introduced the concept and name The Fortress of Solitude in pop culture.
That same year the prototype for Superman came to print with The Reign of the Superman. In this pulp, the “Superman” was a bald telepath who used his powers to take over the world.
In 1934, Lee Falk published Mandrake the Magician who was the precursor and inspiration for future characters such as Dr. Strange, Dr. Fate, Zatanna, and The Scarlet Witch. Also, that year, Alex Raymond published Flash Gordon who was inspired by Buck Rogers. Gordon went on to become a pop culture phenomenon especially in the 80’s with his movie and theme song performed by Queen. In 1936, Lee Falk published The Phantom who was the first hero with “white eyes” and circus strongman style tights. The character was inspired by Zorro and Mowgli from the Jungle Book and went on to inspire other comic book heroes like Batman.
The Platinum Age of Comic | The Culture of Comics
The Platinum Age of comics has no official start point, as it’s considered pre-superhero comics and can encompass pulps, penny dreadfuls, and novels, and even early myths and legends which helped to inspire comics. The Platinum Age, did however last until 1938 when Action Comics #1 was first published and introduced the world to Superman. While there is debate over who the first official superhero was, there is no doubt that the first official comic book was The Yellow Kid which was first published on February 17, 1895, by the newspaper New York World. The use of the character to sell newspapers is where the term “yellow journalism” originated, better known today as Click Bate. Before that however, it can be argued that the Georgian and Victorian Eras of culture is where the platinum age can be said to have “officially” began.
In 1837, the people of London began reporting sightings of a creature that would jump through the London skyline at night and attack women. The urban legend later became a huge influence on popular culture in London and eventually made it into fictional publication in the Penny Dreadfuls which were precursors to pulps and comics in 1886.
In 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo was brought into publication. The count was the precursor to Batman, Zorro, and the Punisher and elements of each can be found within the story of a man who was framed and wrongfully convicted, imprisoned, learned to fight, escaped, amassed a fortune, then developed a secret identity to get revenge.
In 1905, The Scarlet Pimpernel established the idea of a hero with a secret identity trope in pop culture. The character was a wealthy man who wore a mask and rescued people from the guillotine.
In 1912, John Carter of Mars made his first appearance in A Princess of Mars. The character was the precursor to and became one of the inspirations for Superman. The same year, Tarzan of the Apes was first published in magazine form and set the stage for heroes of the underserved.
In 1928, Buck Rogers became the first science fiction hero during his first published story in the novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” which set the stage for other sci-fi heroes such as Flash Gordon, Adam Strange, Green Lantern, and Luke Skywalker. Shortly after, in 1930, the Shadow made his debut in the Detective Story Hour via radio and then made his physical appearance in the pulps in 1931 then later made his first comic book appearance in 1949. The Shadow went on to become one of the inspirations for Batman. His impact on the character was made canonical during Steve Orlando’s Batman/The Shadow crossover in 2017, where the writer made the Shadow one of Bruce Wayne’s mentors during his time training to become the Dark Knight.
In 1931, Dick Tracy hit the scene via newspaper comic strip form. The impact the character had on pop culture not only paved the way for James Bond, but also every other crime drama and spy thriller out there. It also inspired the iWatch when the title character first spoke into his radio watch. The character made his first comic book appearance in 1936. In 1933, The Lone Ranger first appeared on radio, in comic strips in 1938, and in comic books in 1948; and was inspired by the real-life Texas Ranger by the name of Bass Reeves who was one of the first African American law men in America and was notorious for being incorruptible to the point that he even arrested his own son and took him to the noose for hanging. The Lone Ranger went on to inspire The Green Hornet who was revealed in comic book continuity at the great nephew of the Lone Ranger.
In 1933, Doc Savage the Man of Bronze came on the scene and is regarded by many as the FIRST superhero. He was one of the inspirations for Batman as well as Superman and even introduced the concept and name The Fortress of Solitude in pop culture.
That same year the prototype for Superman came to print with The Reign of the Superman. In this pulp, the “Superman” was a bald telepath who used his powers to take over the world.
In 1934, Lee Falk published Mandrake the Magician who was the precursor and inspiration for future characters such as Dr. Strange, Dr. Fate, Zatanna, and The Scarlet Witch. Also, that year, Alex Raymond published Flash Gordon who was inspired by Buck Rogers. Gordon went on to become a pop culture phenomenon especially in the 80’s with his movie and theme song performed by Queen. In 1936, Lee Falk published The Phantom who was the first hero with “white eyes” and circus strongman style tights. The character was inspired by Zorro and Mowgli from the Jungle Book and went on to inspire other comic book heroes like Batman.
