The definition of comics

a visual medium used to express ideas by

images combined with text;
History of comics begins in the early 19th
century, in Japan, while it becomes
popularized in Pulitzers The New York
World
Nowadays, it has a status of the 9th Art
Golden age of American comics
The first official superhero was Superman, who appeared in
Action Comics #1, 1938. by Siegel and Shuster
With the beginning of WWII, he becomes a symbol of the USA
Marvel Comics predecessor creates its own Superman
Captain America, who was a mere propaganda mannequinn
Other famous heroes include Batman, Wonder Woman,
Aquaman, The Flash, Green Arrow by the DC comics
predecessor, and Human Torch and the Sub-mariner by the
Marvel Comics predecessor
By the end of WWII, many of the titles are cancelled
The main comic company becomes EC Comics, in the period
between 1945. 1954.
In 1954. Frederic Wertham accuses comics of being bad for
children
Silver age of American comics
Begins with the appearance of Flash in 1956.
A lot of superheroes were revived by the DC comics, but Marvel
starts to create their marvellous universe
In 1961. the Marvel Comics start their Fantastic Four series
Soon, they create the Avengers, the X-men, and basically, all the
superheroes we read today
However, the invincibility of the superheroes soon becomes
boring, and they become confronted with real-life problems,
such as drugs, racism and death of their loved-ones.
This occurs around 1970., and it presents a transition to the
Bronze age
Introduction of such cult names as Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve
Ditko
Bronze age of American comics
Rise of the X-men franchise, which was cancelled in the meantime
Marvel uses such trends as kung-fu and blaxploitation movies, thus
creating first afro-american and oriental superheroes
Well-known for their cruelty shown cartoonish, having in mind that
computer colourization was still not developed
Brings to life sword and sorcery genre, also revives western and horror
Ends once the superheroes are even more put into real-life situations
Comics Code Authority, created after Werthams protest, was losing its
role of the almighty censorer
Comics were now sold at specialized shops, due to the huge number of
titles, and their entrance into the lifestyle of the age
Modern age of American comcis
Comics are no longer kids stuff they become adult, with
graphic violence, social criticism and parody
Influenced with DCs Watchmen, by Alan Moore, the same
publisher continues publishing their comics mainly in such
form, while Marvel focuses on huge storylines in their two main
universes (616 and 1610)
A graphic novel, Maus, by Art Spiegelman, wins a Pulitzer prize
in 1992.
Superheroes are now a part of everyday society they are no
longer just idols, their status is being questioned, especially in
Batman franchise
Unlike the first 3 ages (~15 years each), Modern age lasts from
1986. til now almost 30 years
Conclusion
For about 80 years of their existence,
comics have become, from a 12c
paperback recyclable entertainment, a
true form of art