Section outline


  • FOCUS / ARONGA

    FOCUS / ARONGA learning intentions:

    • We are FOCUSING on superhero film genre so that we can explain the impact of the genre in mainstream media
    • We are FOCUSING on superhero film genre so that we can deduce the impact of this on young people
    • We are FOCUSING on superhero film genre so that we can compare the nature of the films with the comic books
    • We are FOCUSING on superhero film genre so that we can describe how the codes and conventions of the genre can dictate the outcome of the film

    Success Criteria:

    • describe an aspect of the media genre (the aspect includes ONE of: - a change in the media genre - audience expectations and / or response to the genre - the influence of commercial considerations of the genre) 
    • explain how OR why the aspect has occurred / has an impact on the media genre
    • examine the implication(s) and / or effect(s) of the aspect for the media genre 
    • include supporting evidence from at least TWO media texts and / or evidence from other sources.

    The Four Ages of Comic Books: Superheroes

    There are four specific ages referred to when speaking of superheroes, especially in regards to comic book superheroes, who made their first appearances in the Golden Age - in the late 1930s and early 1940s:

    • The Golden Age (1936-1949) - the late 1930s to the late 40s (some say early 1950s)
      This was the era of the creation of the superhero archetype, and the debut of many superhero characters, including Superman, Batman, Captain America, Captain Marvel, and Wonder Woman. After WWII, many superheroes began to decline or fade away, except for the most popular (Superman, Batman and Robin, and Wonder Woman). Comics in the early 1950s were no longer in vogue, and were replaced by other more popular literary genres: funny animal stories, teen comedies and romances, westerns, gangsters, and horror stories. This was partially due to the damaging efforts of psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham, M.D., who argued in his 1954 book Seduction of the Innocent, that comic books had a deleterious effect on children, including giving kids erroneous ideas about physics (i.e., Superman could fly!), and obscenely glorifying violence and crime.
    • The Silver Age (1956-1969)
      This was a period of revival of some older superheroes and new entries (such as the Flash, Green Lantern, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, the X Men and Iron Man) and the creation of superhero teams (including the Fantastic Four and the Justice League), who were revamped, refashioned, or reintroduced, with some success.
    • The Bronze Age (1970-1985)
      The maturing of comic-book heroes, with the appearance of some socially-relevant and timely issues, and some anti-superheroes (for example, The Punisher, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider).
    • The Dark Age of Comic Books (mid-1980s-present) (aka the Modern Age)