In a recent article of mine, I went over what DC Comics could and couldn’t learn from manga, after Jim Lee’s comments that they should look to their success to chart DC course. One of the things I’ve mentioned is that in the past American comics embraced multiple genres, while today only indie comics try to do anything other than superheroes and licenced works. We actually made more comics for “everyone” than we do now when certain groups are demanding comics be “made for everyone”, only not as disingenuous. It other words it was done for story variety rather than placating (insert group who doesn’t actually read comics here).
In an article for his Megacosm website, writer Victor James digs more into how comics used to make multiple genres of comics, like Japanese manga creators and publishers do today. Manga followed the Golden Age formula of tackling multiple storytelling genres for multiple age groups, and while that’s only one reason for their success, it’s one comic fans and commentators were requesting and suggesting even before the rise of Japanese media in the West to current levels. Something to think about.
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In a recent article of mine, I went over what DC Comics could and couldn’t learn from manga, after Jim Lee’s comments that they should look to their success to chart DC course. One of the things I’ve mentioned is that in the past American comics embraced multiple genres, while today only indie comics try to do anything other than superheroes and licenced works. We actually made more comics for “everyone” than we do now when certain groups are demanding comics be “made for everyone”, only not as disingenuous. It other words it was done for story variety rather than placating (insert group who doesn’t actually read comics here).
In an article for his Megacosm website, writer Victor James digs more into how comics used to make multiple genres of comics, like Japanese manga creators and publishers do today. Manga followed the Golden Age formula of tackling multiple storytelling genres for multiple age groups, and while that’s only one reason for their success, it’s one comic fans and commentators were requesting and suggesting even before the rise of Japanese media in the West to current levels. Something to think about.
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Posted by ShadowWing Tronix on March 14, 2026 in Comic Spotlight and tagged comics vs manga, commentary, Golden Age comics.
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About ShadowWing Tronix
A would be comic writer looking to organize his living space as well as his thoughts. So I have a blog for each goal. :)