The Evolution of Comics: From the 20th Century to Today

An era of transformation and innovation

The 20th century was a period of extraordinary transformation and innovation for comics. New genres emerged, new artistic styles were developed, and comics gained popularity and recognition as a legitimate art form.

The Golden Age of American Comics

The early decades of the 20th century were marked by the golden age of American comics. Characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman captured the hearts of readers, popularizing the superhero genre and influencing generations of artists and authors. Other genres like western, romance, and crime also enjoyed great success, offering a variety of stories and characters to readers.

The Golden Age of American Comics in the 20th Century

The rise of European comics

At the beginning of the 20th century, European comics were dominated by humorous comics, with authors such as Christophe and Georges Colomb in France and Wilhelm Busch in Germany. Newspapers and illustrated magazines were the main medium of publication, and stories were often short and light-hearted. World War I had a profound impact on European comics, with the emergence of darker and more realistic stories. Authors such as Georges Colomb and Tardi created comics that addressed the horrors of war and the difficulties of everyday life. The 1930s and 1940s were marked by the golden age of European comics, with the emergence of new genres and artistic styles. In France, adventure comics were very successful with series such as "Tintin" and " Blake and Mortimer ". Humorous comics also continued to flourish, with authors such as Sempé and Goscinny creating iconic characters such as "Gaston Lagaffe" and " Asterix and Obelix ". In Belgium, the "ligne claire" established itself as a distinctive style, with authors such as Hergé and Jijé. Other European countries also developed their own comic strip traditions, with unique styles and themes. The post-war period was a transitional period for European comics. American comics enjoyed great success, influencing the style and content of European comics. New genres such as science fiction and horror comics also emerged. In the 1960s and 1970s, an underground and alternative comics movement emerged, rejecting the conventions of traditional comics and exploring darker and more controversial themes. Authors such as Robert Crumb and Art Spiegelman tackled topics such as the Vietnam War, counterculture, and social criticism, bringing a new dimension to comics. The end of the 20th century saw a revival of European comics . New authors and new trends emerged, exploring new ways of telling stories and creating images. Comics also gained recognition as a legitimate art form, with prestigious awards and exhibitions in museums and art galleries.

The birth of Spirou

The emergence of manga comics

Manga, the Japanese term for Japanese comics, is an ever-evolving art form that has enjoyed a rich history from humble beginnings to its current global popularity. Its roots date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when woodblock prints called "ukiyo-e" depicted compelling stories and characters. In the early 20th century, Western influence marked the emergence of "modern manga," with works like Yokoyama Taizo's "Sazae-san" introducing speech bubbles and a narrative style more akin to Western comics. The "gekiga" genre, characterized by realistic stories and complex characters, flourished in the 1950s and 1960s, with authors like Osamu Tezuka ("Astro Boy," "Black Jack") and Shotaro Ishinomori ("Cyborg 009," "Kamen Rider") laying the foundations for modern manga. The 1970s and 1980s were a period of great creativity and innovation for manga, with the emergence of popular genres such as shonen (aimed at boys), shojo (aimed at girls), seinen (aimed at adult men), and josei (aimed at adult women). Authors such as Osamu Tezuka, Go Nagai ("Devilman", "UFO Robot Grendizer"), Akira Toriyama ("Dragon Ball"), and Rumiko Takahashi ("Ranma 1/2", "Inuyasha") achieved international success, popularizing manga worldwide.

The ever-evolving comic strip

At the dawn of the 21st century, comics are an art form in constant evolution , with a multitude of styles, genres and audiences. They continue to diversify and explore new narrative and artistic avenues, testifying to their vitality and infinite potential.