Today is National Comic Book Day, a day that is all about celebrating the stories that have captured our imaginations for generations. It’s a day for the fans, the collectors, and everyone who loves a good comic. For many, some of the fondest memories growing up, or even as adults, involve cracking open a comic book and finding themselves completely absorbed in the story that lay before them.
In 1938 the debut of Superman marked the start of a Golden Age of superhero comic books, which boosted the publication of comics in the US. The superhero boom lasted long into World War II. Comic book sales increased during the war because they were cheap, portable and largely featured stories of heroism and patriotic storylines.
Even though the Golden Age of superhero comics might be over, the characters themselves are more popular than ever. Thanks to huge movie and TV franchises from companies like DC and Marvel, these heroes and villains have become household names. Now, it seems like everyone not only recognizes them but also buys their merchandise, from action figures to t-shirts, making comic book characters a major force in today’s pop culture.
After World War II, a whole new wave of comic book genres hit the shelves with magnificent force. Science fiction, horror, and fantasy started gaining a huge following, as did comics specifically created for teenagers, like the ever-popular Archie Comics. In recent years, there has been a huge boom in the popularity and sales of graphic novels and Manga series among young readers, proving that comics are still one of the best ways to get kids excited about reading.
Each fall, Professor Paul Levitz teaches a course called Publishing Comics and Graphic Novels. In his class, students learn the basics of the comic book publishing business; from production and editorial to the sales and marketing aspects.
“We’re moving more and more to a visually oriented society,” said Prof. Levitz. “I think that bodes very well for the world of comics.”
As comic book creator, and a former executive at DC Comics, Prof. Levitz knows the ins and outs of the industry. He started his career in publishing when he was in high school.
“I was one of the first-generation comic fans,” he said. “I was walking through the halls of DC Comics my senior year of high school. One of the editors calls me in and offers me the right to freelance his letter pages. I protest “I’m not a writer,” but he says I write well enough to write a letters page. Suddenly I’m 16 and I’m a professional writer.”
When Prof. Levitz first started working at DC Comics, there were only 35 employees. In 2009 when he left, the company had become a worldwide cultural force, with over 300 people working there. This October, all of Prof. Levitz’s students will have the opportunity to attend New York Comic Con.
“It is a wonderful madhouse,” said Prof. Levitz. “It becomes a giant floor of companies shilling their video games, their movies, tv shows, and their comic books. (There are) people selling objects and walking around in costumes.”
NYCC is one of the largest fan-oriented events where people have the opportunity to visit panels, exhibits, and screenings that feature their favorite franchises. Programming and panels at the event begin Wednesday, Oct. 8, and the convention ends on Oct. 12.
This year, Prof. Levitz will speak at the convention about a comic book that he created with the New York Department of Education in efforts to use graphic texts for educational use.
In the spring, Prof. Levitz is teaching The Future of Transmedia, a course where students will learn skills that are useful for understanding how the entire world of media works together, just traditional publishing.
National Comic Book Day serves as a reminder of the impact visual storytelling has on culture and literature. A number of Prof. Levitz’s students have gone on to internships and roles within the industry, shaping the future of comics and graphic novels.