National Comic Book Day – September 25, 2024

U.S.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related
Stats

National Comic Book Day soars into a community near you this September 25. The genre has grown to include full-length books, or graphic novels, and inspire countless movie adaptations. While they were first typically humorous in nature, it didn’t take long for authors to apply the comic style to all genres of storytelling.

History of National Comic Book Day

Comic books have existed in America since the English printing of Swiss comic, The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, in 1842, making it the first known American prototype comic book. Proto-comics began appearing in the early 20th century, with the first standard-sized comic being Funnies on Parade.

The introduction of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s Superman in 1938 turned comic books into a major industry, ushering in the Golden Age of Comics. From this, the archetype of the superhero was created. Historian Michael A. Amundson notes that appealing comic-book characters helped to ease young readers’ fears of nuclear war and neutralize anxiety about the questions posed by atomic power.

The history of the American comic book is usually divided into four eras. The Golden Age of Comic Books began in the 1930s and is considered the inception of the genre. The Silver Age is considered to date from the first successful revival of the then-dormant superhero form, with the debut of the Flash in 1956. This era lasted into the early 1970s during which Marvel Comics revolutionized the medium with naturalistic superheroes such as the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man. The Bronze Age is less defined, but it runs from the very early 1970s through the mid-1980s. This era features a return of darker plot elements and storylines more relevant to social issues such as racism.

The Modern Age of Comics runs from the mid-1980s until now. During the first 15 years of this period, many comic book characters were redesigned, creators gained prominence within the industry, independent comics flourished, and larger publishing houses became more commercialized. This era is also referred to as the Dark Age of Comic Books due to the popularity and artistic influence of titles with serious content, such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen.

National Comic Book Day timeline

1842

First prototype comic book released

It was called The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck

1933

First modern comic book released

It was called Famous Funnies

1938

Superman invented

It ushered in the Golden Age of comic books

1960s

Marvel creates some of its major superheroes

Among them are the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man

Late 1960s

Underground comix developed

They reflected youth and drug counterculture

Fun Stats about National Comic Book Day

— 60% of Manga Readers are women

Said to originate from scrolls dating back to the 12 century Japanese manga is known for having dramatic plots that can include comedic events, powerful fighters, and relationship struggles. The art form, which can at times be more graphic than traditional American comics, is mostly read by women as opposed to their male counterparts.

—Comic and graphic novel sales fell 6.5% in 2017

Though comic books aren’t seeing a wane in popularity, their sales are definitely falling. At least, they are in physical form. As new age readers have abandoned printed copies of their favorite comics, digital sales have risen.

— 60% of people started reading comics before they turned 10

Many comic lovers started reading comics before the age of 10, meaning comic books aided them in their journey to literacy. In fact, comics are said to promote literacy in children, and young readers are actually encouraged to pick up comic books as they involve the reader in a complex negotiation of words and images, making logical sense of the narrative, and weaving the action together based on the elementary cues in illustration.

National Comic Book Day FAQs

Is National Comic Book Day Today?

If today is September 25, then you’re in luck! It just so happens to be National Comic Book Day!

How does Free Comic Book Day work?

Celebrated in North America on the first Saturday of May, customers can go to their favorite comic book shop on Free Comic Book Day and get designated comics for free!

What was the first comic book?

The earliest known comic book is called The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck, originally published in several languages in 1837.

National Comic Book Day Activities

Have your own Comic-Con
Can’t make it to your nearest Comic-Con? No problem. This September, invite your friends over to trade, display, discuss or even re-enact your favorite stories. And of course, don’t forget your costumes.
Create your own comic
If you’ve been reading comics your whole life, you may not even realize how familiar you are with their structure. Take some time to put together a storyline, invent some characters, and let your imagination run wild. If you’ve got a knack for illustration, go for it, or get together with a friend who’s already mastered that talent to help you complete it. Who knows, maybe the next Stan Lee is hidden in you, waiting to be let out.
Track down a collector's copy
The internet has completely changed how collectors procure their comic copies. Now, through message boards like Reddit, you can track down your unicorn far easier than ever before. Looking for a limited edition Shadow in mint condition? It’s out there waiting, you’ll just need to find it.

3 Facts You Need To Know About Comic Books

The Incredible Hulk was originally meant to be gray
Ink problems with printing created the mean, green monster as we know him today.
There was an actual comic book superhero named the Green Lama
He was a Buddhist whose powers included reincarnation.
Stan Lee got his start by writing obituaries
They were for celebrities in New York.

Why We Love National Comic Book Day

They’re timeless
Who knew that a form of literature popularized in the 1930s would still be among the most widely consumed forms of media in the 21st century?
They’ve inspired record-breaking movies
For the last decade, movie adaptations of beloved comics have shattered box office records, and continue to do so. To date the batman reboot The Dark Knight trilogy has raked in nearly $2.3 billion, and Marvel’s Avengers series has made about $1.51 billion.
They help kids learn to read
While comics have historically been the villain when it comes to what kids should be reading, that’s all turning around. Parents have found that offering comic books to children makes them more interested in learning to read, builds reader confidence, improves vocabulary, and exposes them to real-life situations. Seems more like a superhero than a villain to us.