Atkins Library online exhibit highlights comic books

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

“Heroes and Villains: Silver Age Comics” is an online display of rare and culturally significant comic books from the J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections.

The exhibit highlights a variety of DC Comics and Marvel Comics titles published during what is considered the Silver Age of American comic books (1956-70). This time was one of tremendous creative and commercial growth for the medium, following a post-World War II period of decline. During the Silver Age, comic artists and writers made cultural contributions that resonate to this day.

According to library officials, the era saw the revival of the superhero, an archetype that first captured the American imagination with Superman’s debut in 1938. The rebirth of long-dormant heroes, such as the Flash and Captain America, and the debuts of iconic characters, like Spider-Man, made the Silver Age a time when superheroes reclaimed their place as an indelible part of American culture.

Charles Johnston donated the comics featured in this exhibit to the library in 1968.

A selection of items from the Special Collections comic book compilation will be displayed at Atkins Library during November and December.