LIVESTREAM ‘The Silver Age of Comics: Rise of the Flawed Superhero’ Webinar
Flashback to the early 1940s when the “Golden Age” of comic books was in full swing. Little boys and girls all across America were clamoring for the next edition of their favorite comic book, eager to see how pure-hearted superheroes like Superman or Wonder Woman would defeat those pesky evil villains and save the day. But by the early 1950s, between a post-World War II society and accusations of being linked to violence among adolescents, comic books struggled to capture the hearts and minds they once did.
Enter the “Silver Age” of comic books — the morally perfect superheroes replaced with more relatable, flawed heroes dealing with unresolved issues from a troubled past. These stories led to a revival of the medium, geared no longer toward young children, but adults. This is the story of an era that produced some of the greatest artists, superheroes, and storytelling in the history of comic books.
Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the Silver Age of comic books, a period between 1956-1970 that introduced hyper-realistic superheroes into real-world settings, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
Led by award-winning comic book art illustrator and historian Arlen Schumer, this pop culture “visualecture” filled with stylized images and original art will include:
- The origin story of the superhero tradition and its personification of American ideals and values
- An overview of the Silver Age of comics and why the medium’s greatest artists and superheroes arose during this time period
- A look at how comic book art was heavily influenced by the turbulent 1960s, from futuristic idealism of the Kennedy years to post-Vietnam realism
- A deep dive into eight of the most influential comic book artists, such as Steve Ditko (Spider-Man, Dr. Strange), Carmine Infantino (The Flash, Batman), and Gene Colan (Iron Man, Daredevil)
- A discussion around the political divide amongst superhero characters, from establishment conservatives like Superman, The Flash, and Green Lantern; to counterculture liberals like Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, and Green Arrow
Stick around after the webinar for a Q&A with Arlen, who will be ready to answer any-and-all questions about comic book art, and his book, The Silver Age of Comic Book Art!
See you there!
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About Arlen
Arlen Schumer, MFA is one of the foremost historians of comic book art, named by Comic Book Artist magazine in 1998 as “one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in America.” His coffee table book, The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, won the Independent Publishers Book Award for best Popular Culture book.
Schumer is also one of comic book art’s most idiosyncratic practitioners, creating award-winning illustrations for the advertising and editorial markets.
“One of the country’s pre-eminent authorities on comics and culture.” —Jon Meyerson, Producer, ABC News’ 20/20
“Nobody speaks about comics with more authority, understanding and love than Arlen does. He is to comics what Pauline Kael was to movies.” —Clem Robins, letterer for DC and Marvel Comics
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