In the “Historical Considerations” section of The Superhero Reader I found the part about origin stories to be fascinating. I find the origin stories to be the best part about comics. The origin story gives us background information on the superhero and provides insight into why they are doing what they are doing. I have to agree with the observation that Wonder Woman was seen “an emblem of female power” (The Superhero Reader 5). To me, Wonder Woman represents a strong, independent woman that is capable of achieving the same things men can. By representing female power, she provides all women with a super heroine to look up to.
Peter Coogan’s “Comics Predecessors” illustrates different versions of Superman before Superman was created. From Hugo Hercules to Popeye to Alley Oop, we’re presented with three different illustrations of supermen before Superman was created. Hugo Hercules is cocky and comical when it comes to his super strength. His catch phrase is “just as easy” which provides the impression that everything comes easy to him which he flaunts in every strip at the end. In some instances, his strength provides him with the problem of creating crises that he has to fix. Popeye, on the other hand, just demonstrates his strength by lifting things to solve crises. Alley Oop is a cave man who demonstrates his super strength by taking down those who are bigger than himself. He provides people with a superhero who demonstrates size doesn’t matter when it comes to defeating the bad guy.
The most important fact I discovered in Chapters 1 and 2 Of Comics and Men by Jean-Paul Gabilliet was, “the very first pamphlets collecting reprinted strips were advertising giveaways; soon they became periodical magazines sold on newsstands; finally they began to offer original material” (Gabilliet 8). I find it so interesting that comics originated from advertising giveaways to eventually periodical magazines and then broke out into a new form of art that produced their own material. I never heard the term “big little books” until this article. Big little books were “small black-and-white volumes with color paper covers…contained up to 424 alternating text and full-page illustrations, which were in fact enlarged, wordless comic panels” (Gabilliet 10). I can see the appeal of big little books to children which is the audience they targeted. By providing illustrations and less words, children can flip through the stories quickly, however, comic books provide more interesting stories.