View source for American comic book

An '''American comic book''' is a thin (typically 32-page) periodical containing primarily [[comics]] content.

== History ==

While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of Action Comics, which included the debut of the superhero [[Superman]].

This was followed by a superhero boom that lasted until the end of World War II.

After the war, while superheroes were marginalized, the comic book industry rapidly expanded, and genres such as horror, crime and romance became popular.

The 1950s saw a gradual decline, due to a shift away from print media in the wake of television[1] and the impact of the Comics Code Authority.

The late 1950s and the 1960s saw a superhero revival, and superheroes remain the dominant character archetype in the 21st century.

Since the later 20th century, comic books have gained note as collectable items.

== Comic shops ==

Comic shops cater to fans, and particularly valuable issues have fetched in excess of a million dollars. 

== Grading ==

Systems of grading comic books have emerged with plastic sleeves ("bags") and cardboard backing ("boards") available to maintain the condition of comic books.

== See also ==

* [[Comic book]]
* [[Comics]]
* [[DC Comics]]
* [[Green Lantern]]
* [[Showcase (comics)]]
* [[Sinestro]]
* [[Superman]]
* [[Visual arts]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_comic_book American comic book] @ Wikipedia

[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Visual arts]]