UNIT 5

In the last few years there have been multiple key events that can influence the designs of comics. One of the main influences would be the invention and use of the internet. This allows a much wider range of comic books to be posted by anyone that has the skill to make one. “The PC has improved the world in just about every area you can think of. Amazing developments in communications, collaboration and efficiencies. New kinds of entertainment and social media. Access to information and the ability to give a voice people who would never have been heard. Bill Gates” This massively impacted the comic book industry and greatly widened the selection of comic books available to people. During this time the media industry became massive meaning that TV or movie stars become the centre of attention in everyday life, this makes them serve as a massive inspiration in the creation of comic books.

 

Also during these last few years America has elected the first black president. This means that racism has massively decreased giving people the confidence needed to add their own input from different cultures. There has also been a massive terrorism scandal going on in the USA with Osama bin laden being the face of terrorism. This started the famous war on terrorism and has increased racism in the USA for it has clouded the views on Muslim culture and has caused people to be anti-Muslim.

 

Also during this time printing has become much more available and cheap meaning that smaller comic book makers could publish their work from home, considerably widening the market for comics. There has also been technological advances in CAD making it a lot easier to make comics in Photoshop or other drawing programs rather than hand drawing it.

The style of the era was a modern and simplistic style often using cell shading due to the addition of cad it became much more practical to draw using cell shading. The major companies like DC and marvel used to hold a large majority of the comic book industry but now it has been made easier for more underground artists to get their work out the common genre has changed from mainly superhero and childish comedy there is now an increase in comic aimed towards adults. This is because most of the smaller comic book righters write for themselves and often try to pander towards a more mature audience, were as the larger companies write for profit and will often produce comics for the audience with the highest prophet.

 

In conclusion the main thing that has effected the comic book industry is the introduction of the internet. It has massively broadened the output of comic books and has made it much easier to get a hold of the comics.