How comics have shaped the modern culture
Comics are without a shadow of a doubt the most underrated art form today. And in fact, they have been since their very beginnings. In fact, it is extremely difficult to even trace their beginnings as different experts will tell you differently. Some will say that even the cave paintings were actually comics because they followed a certain plot, while others will tell you that the real beginning of comics was in the 20th century when they started taking the form they still have and that is nowadays a foundation for every comic. One thing that all of them agree on is that comics have definitely shaped the modern culture and that it is nowadays more apparent than ever before.
For instance, take a look at some of the biggest movies in the last 10 years, such as the new Batman movies, the Spiderman movies, X-Men movies, DC and Marvel comic movies and so on. We are talking about some of the biggest blockbusters in history and movies that are introducing comics to a whole new generation of young people while also reminding the older generations that comics are something more than just fun for the kids. Long gone are the days when comics were nothing more than a collection of pictures that tell a certain story.
When you are talking about comics, it is essential to remember that it is a very complex issue. Deep, deep inside, comics are a way of certain artists to express the marvel at the world that you have when you are a child. We are talking about mainstream comics here, most notably those that have to do with superheroes. We all wanted to have superpowers when we were younger. However, comics are much more than that.
You will often find that the bravest and the most profound ideas can be found in comics, tackling issues that other forms of entertainment cannot for one simple reason – making comics is still immeasurably cheaper than making movies. Basically, all you need is someone to draw a comic and someone to write it. This is why you can have all kinds of ideas in comics, ideas that would turn the producers and the budget away from the project. And that is where the biggest influence of comics can be seen.
Comics shape the modern culture because they introduce certain ideas that other forms of entertainment do not. I could go on for hours in explaining the sophisticated ways in which comics tackle issues like racism, terrorism, minority rights, sexuality, life and death and so on. I could truly write tomes about this, but that it is not the point. The point is that you realize how much comics have contributed to the modern culture and one of the most interesting aspects of this is that this influence is not always that apparent.
However, it is always present and it changes other forms of entertainment, spreading its influence on daily basis.