Comic Books & Computer Games
There are a lot of comic books that have now been turned into popular computer and video games. And if you are an avid gamer or a comic book reader, you are surely aware of the popular comic based video games existing in the market today. Comic books offer a great way to alleviate stress and exercise the brain. Though reading comic books is a popular hobby among many, there a few who cannot stand flipping from pages to pages. This is why many comic books are created into interesting computer or video games so they can attract more attention.
One reason for the continuing popularity of comic books is mainly because of the interesting comic characters, such as Superman, Batman, who give life to the story. Comic book readers wish they have the special powers and superhuman abilities of their favorite comic book character. Comics basically create a fictional world where one can fly, create fires using their eyes or have superhuman strength. In the imaginary world, anyone can become whoever they want to be and this is perhaps the main reason why many are still engaged into reading comic books.
When the world of video and computer games started to expand, comic book readers began to fantasize their favorite comic book superhero in action. They wanted to play the role of their favorite comic book character, flying all over the city doing good deeds. Because of this, many computer game creators were inspired to turn popular comic books into a fun gaming platform. This is where the inception of comic book-based computer and video games all began.
The huge fan base of comic books played a big part in the popularity of comic book video games. A lot of game developers have adapted comic books as their inspiration in making fun and interesting computer games, with the likes of Batman Arkham City, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, as well as Spiderman vs Venom: Maximum Carnage.
The development of entertaining, engrossing and exciting comic book computer and video games continued until the present day. In fact, it is hard to keep track of the computer and video games (based on comic books) emerging in the market. The year 2011 has been an amazing year for the gaming and comic industry with a wide range of new comic book computer/video games being released. There are a number of comic book-inspired video and computer games that made a great impact this year, which include Marvel vs Capcom 3, Marvel Pinball, and Thor: God of Thunder.
Comic books and computer games indeed provide great entertainment to both young and adults. Hence why, expect to see more comic-based video games to be released in the coming years.
Read MoreThe Golden Age of Comic Books
There is a period in the history of American comic books called the “Golden Age of Comic Books” which lasted from the late 1930s until the early 1950s. Modern comic books were published during these times and enjoyed a high level of popularity. During the golden age, the archetype of the modern-day superhero was born and defined. Superman, Captain America, Batman, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman were also introduced. The comic book was finally categorized as a mainstream form of art and has established creative conventions and artistic vocabulary by the first generation artists, editors and writers.
The golden age of comic books was able to merge pulp action with fantasy, sci-fi, crime fighting and even ancient sagas to create new characters and introduce individuals with peculiar abilities and special powers to use against evil. The first generation of superheroes was typically rip-offs of Superman. Wonder Man, Dynamic Man, Flash Lighting and many other characters with similar features proliferated very fast. Fox Production was sued by the creators of Superman for copyright infringement and the former lost the case.
The most popular character during the Golden Age was Fawcett Comic’s Captain Marvel. This comic book sold around 1.3 million copies per month. After some time, many specialized heroes started to appear on comic books. Doll Man has the ability to reduce his size to just a height of six inches while The Flash possessed the capability to run very fast. Human Torch has the ability to transform himself into a living flame. The superhero characters usually wore finned cowl masks, buccaneer boots and cap-sleeved leotards.
The period also saw the rise of the lead characters’ sidekicks. Robin was to Batman while Human Torch had Toro. Sandman’s partner was Sandy and Bulletman had Bulletgirl. Superheroes were also designed to fight the cronies of the Axis Powers even before the United States became involved in the Second World War. In fact, Patriotic Fervor became almost universal. The people were longing for stories of good defeating evil and at the same time, the propaganda on war was in full blast. The opponents were portrayed as evil and ugly creatures that must be annihilated.
People who are aware of the Silver Age of Comic Books are sometimes shocked to know that the comics during the Golden age were less moralistic, less hilarious and less childish. No one knows when the Golden Age ended because after World War II, the popularity of super hero comics had already dramatically declined.
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