Aim:

Do Now:

Comic Book Superheroes

• While superheroes are generally considered to be a creation of the 20th century, they have existed in one form another for almost the whole of human

civilization. • In recent years, they merely have become more

common, more unpredictable, and had more influence on the development of society.

• The First Modern Heroes:The first individuals to be considered superheroes of the 20th century came about during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

• As the American economy slumped and entered the Great Depression, a period of uncertainty settled over the nation.

• Crime increased dramatically, and standard police forces became overmatched due to limited funding, internal corruption, and poor morale.

• The first costumed avenger was Dr. Fury, who became known to the public in 1928.

• The first Action Comics was published in 1938, which featured a man with a red cape and blue costume who was strong enough to lift an automobile over his head.

• Superman had arrived and become the first comic-book character to have powers much greater than any human being.

• Female HeroesIn 1941, the first female superhero was introduced. Wonder Woman may have begun as the Justice League Society secretary, but became as popular as Superman and Batman.

• Beautiful, strong and intelligent, Wonder Woman acquired her powers from gods and goddesses, and she has bullet-proof wrist bands and a magic, golden lasso.

• Near ExtinctionIn the 1950s, many superhero characters lost their popularity.

• There were many other comic books being published, and these publications had to compete against the new arrival called television.

• The superhero genre almost ended. But comic-book-publishing companies revamped some earlier characters such as Green Lantern, and the superheroes have been successful ever since.

• TV SuperheroesSomething similar happened to Batman. By 1964, sales of the Batman comic books had fallen significantly and DC Comics was considering killing him off for good.

• But once again a superhero was saved. When the Batman TV series aired in 1966, this superhero was soaring to new heights.

• In the 1970s and 1980s, comic-book superheroes showed flaws and personal issues.

• Marvel began publishing books about anti-heroes, such as The Punisher and Wolverine.

• Even Batman was seen to have a darker and perhaps sinister side. Batman dominated the 1990s with three movies.

• 21st CenturyThe superheroes in this century continue to be more popular than ever. Movies that star characters such as Spider-Man have become blockbusters.

• The superheroes, many now in graphic novels as well as comic books, are much more sophisticated with multiple sides to their personalities.

• The number of comic books has declined because of the cost of printing and the rise of the Internet, but the power of the superheroes continues.

ObjectivesAs part of the final exam in Illustration & Design,

Students will create a fictional Comic Book Superhero cover, using either themselves or a person in their life

they consider a “hero”.

The Comic Book Superhero will be placed in a scene that relates to Superhero, and display the Superhero’s

super powers. In your sketchbook, develop your character and setting creating a visual script focusing

on your graphic style and technique.

Requirements to be submitted:

- Sketchbook work displaying the development of your character and character setting.- Rough draft final cover. Experiment with materials.

- Final Comic Book Superhero cover displaying your personal graphic style.

The Comic book Superhero Cover part of the exam is worth 75% of your final exam.

25% will be a short story narrative you will write during one class period.

The final exam grade will count for 20% of your final grade for the semester.

Artists to explore: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko,

Elizabeth Holloway Marston, Marie Severin, Todd McFarlane, Lea Hernandez, and Joe Shuster.

http://marvel.com/games/play/31/create_your_own_superhero

http://vimeo.com/41475809

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