Comic Book Audiences

      During the Golden Age, comic books held a wide audience. Comic Book authors could create situations that couldn't be conceived by radio and movies. Comic books mostly appealed to young boys who were impressed by the comic stars, especially the superheros. Superman and Batman were favorites. Girls did not really like comic books until the creation of Wonder Woman in 1941. Wonder Woman gave females a sense of equality in a male dominated world.

Due to popular demand, comics became available in many forms. When comics became available for listening pleasure on the radio, many families took time together to listen and enjoy them. These radio comics brought the family closer, and like other shows, entertained the children to the fullest extent. At the Superman Radio website, you can listen to actual recordings of these radio comic shows. In Greenbelt, Maryland at this time, comics were a favorite to listen to on the radio. Comics also began to take shape in cartoon book forms. These books, which were comprised of many different comics all in one book, were big sellers around Christmas time, and big holidays (25). These cartoons books were relatively cheap, running at about $1 to $2 dollars (26). Soon movies were developed starring comic book heros and their enemies.

     Comic strips were used in newspapers and drew the attention of older readers such as adults and parents. These comics were popular and still are used in newspapers today. Dave Murray tells about popular newspapers of this era that included some comic strips in them. The Greenbelt Cooperator, Greenbelt, Maryland's local newspaper, included comic strips in some issues.

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