You know, fandom and the comics industry as a whole places an awful lot of emphasis on the various “ages” of comics, doesn’t it? Sure, every kind of entertainment has its golden age - - there’s the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Golden Age of Rock ‘N Roll, and so on - - but how many actually identify a Silver Age? Or a Bronze Age? I can’t help thinking how new readers must look at this since the actual stories get “meta” about it, so often. DC’s putting out that LEGACIES title that’s specifically about the “five ages of superheroes.” The conceit of most Sentry stories is how the character would be so different in the Golden, Silver, Bronze or “Dark” Ages. It’s really a central idea of the superhero story, isn’t it? As much as families with legacy mantles are, right?
It seemed like the overwhelming "meta-narrative" when I was a kid was basically that the Silver Age had returned to take things back from the “grim and gritty” Dark Age. Some have called it the “Neo Silver Age.” KINGDOM COME was about the truer, bluer old breed coming out of retirement to put the crasser, corrupt upstarts back in line. The HEROES RETURN revamp of Marvel’s main heroes titles was basically about going old school after years of trying to be edgy. SUPREME and TOM STRONG were hailed for their straightforward whimsy.
== TEASER ==
However, I recall something Mark Millar said when he was first promoting ULTIMATES. Something along the lines of superheroes needed to get back-to-basics but, after that was over, they needed to move forward. Seeing as how the Ultimate line seems to be the major revamp that finally stuck - - it’s informed the main books, the movies, the shows and so on - - I can’t help thinking of it as a starting point. I don’t claim to be a comics historian, though. I’m sure some of you have better ideas as what the exact cut-off points are. The “narrative” of these ages needs an update, because I think we’re in the middle of a new one, now. Something removed from what’s been referred to as the "Modern Age," and even farther removed from the “Dark Age.” Call it the Platinum Age. Call it the Diamond Age. Some have. It’s definitely something different and I’ll leave it up to you to debate how modern comics have changed from those in previous eras. Go on. I’m eager to hear you maniacs' take on it.
-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Studios and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.