A Brief History of British Comics
It’s common knowledge that Marvel Comics began in 1939 with the help of Stan Lee. Most comic readers also know that DC comics began in 1934. While these are some of the popular comics, they are not the only comic producers.
What not many people realize is that these popular comics were not the first ones. Before superheroes and horror stories took over the splash pages, comics were strips. They were small blurbs inside of magazines.
British Comics was one of the best places to find these comic strips. Ready to learn more about Britsh Comics? It’s time to dig into what this comic magazine was and how it influenced graphic literature.
The History of British Comics
British Comics was a small graphic literature publication that was put out in the United Kingdom. This publication began even early than you’d expect. The first known release of British Comics was in 1828.
This early type of comic came out once a month. Their publication was aimed at children. Giving kids a chance to read, consume, and enjoy comics in the same way children do today.
British comics were not only used for enjoyment purposes. They were also used as teaching lessons for school-aged kids.
Who Made These Comics?
Who were the voices behind these comics? Through the years there were dozens of different creators. It was a space for an artist to pitch an idea and run with it. British comics were a game-changer and introduction to the comics found in stores currently.
A few of the most popular contributors were DC Thomson and Denis Gifford. Comics gave writers the chance to express themselves in words and pictures. For many of the events taking place in the United Kingdom at the time, this was a welcome distraction.
What Comics Were Most Popular?
The most popular British Comics were comics such as The Dandy. The dandy was one of the longest-running comic strips in history. These strips consisted of quirky cartoon characters that children raced home to read.
Many of these British comics were in the style of a punch cartoon. They were quick tidbits that could be glanced at to get the gist of the piece. Punch cartoons are still found in many comic strips and magazines today.
British Comics Left a Mark on History
British comics are one of the reasons we still have comics today. These magazines are a great example of how our favorite comic books from the past decade began. A cartoon magazine was the best example of early-form comics.
Next time you have a moment, take a look at some British cartoons and see if you can spot the influences.
Looking for more in the history of pop culture? Our articles may have exactly what you’re looking for. Take a look through today and see if you can find the answers to those curious questions.
