The golden age of comics were a long time ago. It stands to reason that most of us wouldn’t have any in our collection. But have you ever tried to get hold of any? It’s not very easy at all, and they’re certainly not cheap. But how can something that was once available in abundance become so scarce? Surely, people would have kept hold of these valuable pieces of history? These comics were mass produced on an incredibly large scale. So, why are golden age comics so rare? If you’re anything like us then you’ve wondered this at some point. We decided to dig deep and do some research in order to fully answer this question… once and for all!
Why are Golden Age Comics So Rare?
The golden age of comics took place during the second world war. These were desperate times; comics would usually have been read once or twice and then thrown away. There’s a number of factors that would have encouraged people to do this.
Outside of this, there has also been events after the golden age that have played a part in the reason why golden age comics are so rare now. Let’s take a deeper dive into every factor that has contributed to the scarcity of golden age comics…
Blame the War (& Captain Marvel Jr.)
During the war resources were scarce for obvious reasons. Not to mention the fact people didn’t have a lot of money. Paper was needed for the production of guns, first aid kits, planes, tanks, bullets, and other much needed resources. These things were in such high demand that there were “paper drives”.
These were campaigns encouraging the collection donations of paper in exchange for money. Even the comic creators themselves were encouraging their readers to do this. One such comics was Captain Marvel Jr. within which there were many ads included that aggressively encouraged their readers to recycle the paper from their comic to help the allied forces with their war efforts.
Not only this, but as the war intensified comics began only using one staple to bind them. This obviously made these comics less durable and as a result finding these particular comics with the cover still intact is particularly hard.
Seduction of the Innocent
Near the end of the golden age, there was a mass hysteria due to the rising notion that comic books were spoiling the youth. Churches, parents, teachers and other do-gooders began to protest and spread the idea that comic books were ruining the minds of the younger generation.
A prime example of this movement was Seduction of the Innocent, a book released in spring of 1954 that was written by Fredric Wertham. The whole book was revolved around what the author perceived to be “the dangers of comic books on the minds of the youth”.
He argued that comic books were a negative form of popular literature that were directly causing juvenile delinquency. One such quote from the book stated, “I think Hitler was a beginner compared to the comic book industry”. I mean, really?
It’s because of this idea that people began to burn comic books in the masses. Thus further reducing the number of golden age comics that had survived after the war.
Who Could Have Possibly Known?
One thing that would have prevented the destruction of these comics would be if people knew what their eventual value would be. But how could anyone have possibly known? Comic books were in their very early days at this point. They were incredibly cheap and not taken very seriously.
A lot of these books were just used as a means of moral and entertainment (with a side of propaganda for good measure). No one could have possibly known that some of these golden age superheroes would go on to become so of the most influential and lucrative pop culture icons of all time. Let alone the fact that some of these very books that were burned or thrown away would eventually be worth millions!
How Do I Know if my Comic is Rare?
A good rule of thumb is to look at the price on the cover. Most comics that have 10¢, 12¢, 15¢, 20¢ or 25¢ on the front of them are vintage and therefore usually rare due to their age. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.
What is the World’s Rarest Comic Book?
The rarest comic book in the world is New Adventure #26 (1938) published by DC Comics. It has an estimated total number of 9 copies in existence. The highest value a copy of it has ever been sold for is $11,000.
Summary
In summary, the main reason these comics are so scarce is the fact that so many were thrown away after their first few reads. A combination of factors including the need for resources, the taboo caused by people who disagreed with their content, and the lack of foresight on the parts of their readers meant a lot of these comics were destroyed.
FAQs
What is the Oldest Known Comic Book?
The oldest known comic book is The Yellow Kid in McFadden’s Flats it was published in 1987 by New York World. To many this is what is considered to have begun the platinum age of comics.
Why is it Called the Golden Age of Comics?
The term was originally coined by those who grew up in the golden age in order to describe those times as being the best era of comics. But eventually, the meaning evolved and gave birth to a whole classification system for comic book eras. For a more in-depth look into this question check out this article.
When Did the Golden Age of Comics End?
The exact time that the golden age of comics ended is a subject of a pretty lengthy debate but the answers all fall within the range of the late 40s to the mid 50s.
Are Golden Age Comics Worth Reading?
The answer will vary depending on what kind of stories you are into. Story plots back then were not as deep as the ones that would come later on. But if you’re into light-hearted campy stories, or you just want to see where some of your favourite characters began their existence, it’s definitely worth reading certain comics.
Are Golden Age Comics a Good Investment?
Just like stocks or any investment it’s hard to say what things will increase in value. It drastically varies from comic to comic, and it all comes down to whatever is in demand. It all depends on how desperate a person is to have the comic in the collection and what their perceived value of it is.
