History MediaNotes / TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks

And then, in the September-October 1956 issue of Creator/DCComics's ''ComicBook/{{Showcase}}'', something magical happened. A remake of super-speed character ComicBook/TheFlash – with a new costume, secret identity, and origin – spiked the sales charts. After a couple more test issues, they gave him his own title, and tried redoing another Golden Age character, ComicBook/GreenLantern. This too was successful, and the {{Superhero}} genre was off to the races. Within a couple years, several other companies threw their hats into the ring, such as Atlas, Charlton, and ACG. In 1961, Creator/StanLee of Creator/MarvelComics was told by his boss to create something in the vein of DC's ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica. Thus, the ComicBook/FantasticFour appeared on the stands, and Marvel's innovative characterization-based approach to comic books appeared. Thus, some people split the age by referring to the period between the introduction of the Barry Allen Flash and that of the Fantastic Four as the "Early Silver Age".

The Silver Age was, in a word, silly. Especially by today's standards. Due to the assumptions of MediaNotes/TheComicsCode, creators were generally restricted to creating entertainment for children, and the Code's guidelines as to what was age-appropriate were very strict, precluding a lot of possible storylines that might deal with more mature themes. TheFifties also saw a general turn toward conservatism in American society as a reaction against the disruption of the War, and pushing the envelope or questioning social norms was frowned upon. This is most obvious when it comes to female characters, who had been more independent back in the Golden Age – this is the era when ComicBook/WonderWoman became [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon vaguely apologetic about rescuing male characters]]; and Lois Lane, who had been portrayed as an ambitious career woman before, decided [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits her main goal in life]] was [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe forcing Superman to marry her]] and becoming a housewife.

* ''[[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderMan1963 The Amazing]]'' ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' -- Most successful instance of the Marvel style.
** ''ComicBook/AmazingFantasyNumber15'' (1962) -- The first appearance of the character.
** ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'' (1962-1966) -- The initial and defining run of the character, which over its 4 year span introduced many of Spidey's friends and foes, and to this day remains the foundation for the character.

** ''ComicBook/FantasticFourNumber1'' (1961) -- The first appearance of the team.
** ''ComicBook/FantasticFour1961'' (1961-1970): The initial run of the team, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby.