Sci Fi History: Superman (1978)

Richard Donner's Superman launched the modern superhero film. It depicted Superman's life from Krypton to his first major challenge. The film starred many big names including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, and Ned Beatty. Unknown Christopher Reeve won the starring role and created a new Clark Kent. Every version of Superman since has been overshadowed by Reeve's performance. The wave of films Superman birthed ended with the Batman and Robin disaster in 1997. Bryan Singer's X-Men relaunched and reinvigorated the genre in 2000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk1aQx9hTaE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_izM3y2SE44

Sci Fi History: Black Manta kills Aqualad (1977)

Black Manta's hatred of Aquaman exceeded the normal super villain-hero rivalry. It became an all out blood feud. Manta kidnapped Aquaman's son, Arthur Jr., and murdered the child in cold blood. Eventually, Aquaman captured Black Manta and nearly executed the villain in revenge. However, the hero regained his composure and showed mercy. The story coincided with an era in which comics became grittier and more realistic. Despite this, the murder of a child seemed to step over the bounds and shocked readers.

Sci Fi History: Wonder Woman (1974)

In 1974, Cathy Lee Crosby starred in a movie entitled "Wonder Woman." However, the character and movie did not have any of the superpowers WW is known for. In 1975, Lynda Carter starred in the role based on the comic character. The series was initially in World War II and co-starred 70s superstar Lyle Waggoner. ABC dropped the show despite good ratings because of expense. CBS picked it up, reimaged it in the modern world, and it ran for two more seasons. Carter's Wonder Woman was a forerunner of the strong female heroine archetype prevelent in today's culture.

Intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhCnM-E5sl0

Sci Fi History: The Night Gwen Stacy Died (1973)

 
Norman Osborn suffers a mental breakdown when his son has to detox due to a drug addiction. He relapses as the Green Goblin, kidnaps Peter Parker's girlfriend Gwen Stacy, and obscons with her to a bridge. Spiderman and the Goblin brawl and Osborn tosses Stacy off the bridge. Spiderman uses his webshooters to break her fall, but snaps her neck. An enraged Spidey chases the Goblin to a warehouse where the Goblin tries to impale the hero with his glider. Spiderman dodges the glider, which kills Osborn. The story arc shocked comic fans and changed the game. Major characters could now die. No doubt this is the #1 moment in comic history. The Amazing Spiderman #121 and #122 are considered classics.

As seen in Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaU9-QWslVI


As seen in Spiderman (2002):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DMkC6qMgWQ  

Sci-Fi History: Harry Osborn's drug problem (1971)

Stan Lee decided to include social commentary into Marvel Comic storylines. In 1971, Peter Parker's best friend, Harry Osborn, developed a drug problem. The problem persisted for the rest of the character's life. Harry had to bear the burden of being the Green Goblin's son, the breakup of his relationship with Mary Jane Watson, and eventually becomes the New Goblin. Lee decided to get around the comic code by printing "Not approved by the Comic Code Authority" on the issue. This opened up unlimited potential for comic writers.
http://www.thegreengoblinshideout.com/harry-overdoses

Sci-Fi History: Captain America returns (1964)

Timely Comics introduced Captain America in March 1941. The book was one of the most popular books during World War II, but fell off after the war. Captain America ceased publishing in 1950. Marvel Comics resurrected Cap in March 1964 when the Avengers found the hero frozen in suspended animation. Cap eventually became the leader of the hero squad, starred in his own comic series, and has been featured in the recent Marvel movies

Sci Fi History: The Brotherhood of Mutants (1964)

Magneto formed the Brotherhood of Mutants in order to promote and permeate mutant superiority over humanity. The group’s goals have morphed from world domination to thugs to terrorism thereby matching the era. They have been continually thwarted by the X-Men. In a sense, they are the evil version of the civil rights movement.

Sci-Fi History: Iron Man (1963)

Stan Lee wanted to create a quintessential capitalist character in the Cold War universe. He introduced Iron Man in Tales of Suspense #39 in 1963. Iron Man’s alter ego, Tony Stark, was a billionaire playboy that was captured and forced to create a weapon of mass destruction by his kidnappers. Instead, he created an iron suit and escaped. Stark was based on Howard Hughes without the mental issues. However, through the run, Stark suffered his own problems resulting in alcoholism. In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. brought the character to life and Iron Man’s popularity reached new levels.

1960s cartoon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EBar7BK8Mk

Downey Jr:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52Y4IorgDU

Sci-Fi History: The X-Men (1963)

The X-Men arrived in the Marvel Universe at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. They were mutants with a X-gene, hence the name X-Men. This extra gene provides mutants with all sorts of powers. Each mutant possessed a different mutation. As a result, Magneto controlled metal, Wolverine was indestructible, Cyclops shot lasers from his eyes, etc. People feared the mutations leading to bigotry and oppression. At the same time, Stan Lee tied the X-Men to the nuclear age. It is hinted that mutants received radiation exposure that created the x-gene. Lastly, the main villain, Magneto, was a concentration camp survivor adding an interesting twist to his crusade against humanity. As a result, the X-Men tied together the civil rights movement, World War II, the Cold War, nuclear anxieties, and the holocaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAhqEiq4cA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi43Vr2yJqI

Sci-Fi History: Spiderman and Uncle Ben (1963)

Named after Ben Franklin, Uncle Ben Parker served as Peter Parker's surrogate father. He was killed by a thug almost immediately after being introduced. Peter could have captured the killer before he murdered his uncle, but declined to do so because "it's not my problem." After Uncle Ben died, Peter considered himself responsible and hunted the murderer down. The criminal eventually dies of a heart attack when run down by Spiderman. On a side note, Ben Parker never uttered the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility." This tagline came from Stan Lee in a panel at the end of Amazing Fantasy #15.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA643x0bN74

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfztIIqbTI

Sci-Fi History: The Mighty Thor (1962)

Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby played with the Thor myth from Medieval Scandanavia to create a modern comic book hero. He debuted in Journey Into Mystery #83. This version differed from an earlier 1951 comic version. Lee wanted a hero that was stronger than a normal person and wondered how to do it. He toyed with the Grecko-Roman and Norse gods before settling on Thor. Journey Into Mystery was retitled The Mighty Thor in 1966. Since his recreation, Thor has appeared in a number of comic books, cartoons, made a guest appearance on The Incredible Hulk starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, and has his own feature film series starring Chris Helmsworth and Anthony Hopkins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q631uZ6DQzg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvJ9FTgZbM

Sci-Fi History: The Amazing Spiderman (1962)

Spiderman first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 and rapidly became the most popular superhero on the planet. Spiderman’s alter ego, Peter Parker, was just a lonely, nerdy teenager, orphaned at a young age. The comic focused on Peter’s relationships with his family and friends, which added a different dynamic to the book. On top of this, Peter had real life problems to deal with and lost his only true role model, his Uncle Ben, early on in the canon. Peter did not have an older mentor like Robin or Bucky.  Peter’s wisecracking personality, real world problems, and human side made Spiderman one of the most popular comic book heroes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o29VoxtsFk

Sci Fi History: The multiverse is born: Flash discovers Earth 2 (1961)

A pair of physics students once approached Albert Einstein with their theory of a multiverse. Einstein blew them off. He thought the idea of alternate universes absurd. In the 21^st century, many respected scientists advocate the idea as plausible and even probable. In 1961, DC Comics used the idea to explain discrepancies in continuity. The Flash vibrated into an alternate universe. The Flash #123 explains the theory of the multiverse in some detail. A few years later, Star Trek covered the idea in “Mirror Mirror” and “The Tholian Web.” In 1995, the television series, Sliders, devoted itself to the topic. J.J. Abrams loves the idea and incorporated it into Fringe and the Star Trek reboot. The multiverse allows every conceivable possibility to occur. So, in one universe, Donald Trump is president. In another, he is a pauper. DC Comics has used the idea to reset its universe more than once. The Flash introduced the concept into popular culture over 50 years ago.

Sci-Fi History: The Fantastic Four (1961)

The Fantastic Four ushered in “The Marvel Age” of comic books. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought a new level of character development and realism to their subjects. The FF were exposed to radiation granting superpowers. Reed Richards became hyper-elastic, Sue Richards could project force fields and become invisible, Johnny Storm became the Human Torch, and Ben Grimm evolved into a rock monster. Unlike other heroes, the quartet squabbled and at times fought. On top of this, they did not keep secret identities like Batman or Superman. Lee and Kirby’s human touch to the FF made Marvel unique in the comic world. Instead of cardboard cutout heroes, the FF, and subsequent Marvel heroes, were identifiable and relatable to readers.

Early Cartoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxzI1X8Heg

Sci-Fi History: Lex Luthor Origin (1960)

In one of the lamest origins of all time, it is revealed Lex Luthor hates Superman because of an accident that caused Lex to lose his hair. Luthor saved  Superboy from Kryptonite, so Superboy built him a lab as a way to say thanks. A fire breaks out at the lab, Superboy blows it out, but inadvertently sprays Luthor with chemicals which causes his hair to fall out. Luther then goes on to seek vengeance…and has been at it ever since.

Sci-Fi History: Barry Allen becomes The Flash (1956)

Barry Allen was a police scientist struck by lightning and transformed into The Flash. The lightning mixed with chemicals to turn the slow and frequently late Allen into the fastest man alive. Allen graced DC Comics for 40 years before apparently dying in 1985. Allen gave his life in a “run to the death” to stop the Anti-Monitor’s attempt to destroy the world in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Allen returned in 2008. In fact, Allen becomes the very bolt of lightning that transforms him into The Flash.  All that running both saved and cost Allen his life…

Sci-Fi History: The Adventures of Superman (1952-58)

Superman debuted in comic form in 1938. Fourteen years later, the first Superman TV series hit the small screen. Kellogg’s sponsored the show, which appeared in black and white for the first two years. George Reeves starred as Superman and the show featured state of the art special effects. The show’s opening and theme song have become part of pop culture. The show was cancelled in 1958, but producers planned to bring it back the next year. George Reeves murder mysterious murder ended The Adventures of Superman for good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0B1ufyXOds

Sci-Fi History: Wonder Woman (1941)

In 1940, William Moulton Marston kicked around the idea of a female comic book hero. Published Max Gaines picked up the idea and gave Marston a platform. Wonder Woman represented a new type of woman. To some, she represented female empowerment. Others viewed her as a male fantasy complete with an outfit and bondage kit. The next generation reinvented Wonder Woman providing her mythological roots. In the seventies, the women’s movement embraced her raising her profile and leading to a stint in the Justice League.  In 2011, DC Comics rebooted the character once more making her a demigod and thrusting her into a relationship with Superman.

Sci-Fi History: Captain America punches Hitler (1941)

America enters World War II with Captain America fighting for the Allies. Naturally, he meets Adolf Hitler and punches him out. The recent film paid homage to this moment with Chris Evans decking an actor portraying Hitler for the USO.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dcaptain%2Bamerica%2Bpunches%2Bhitler&w=160&h=106&imgurl=www.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcaptain%2Bamerica%2Bpunches%2Bhitler%26id%3DBF584255D0D456BD57F6E4EDB302D139D75ECFF8%23focal%3Dbb2f42234a70bc98ff32c10d855b988c%26amp%3Bfurl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fthreatqualitypress.files.wordpress.com%252f2009%252f12%252fcaptain-america-hitler.jpg&size=&name=search&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcaptain%2Bamerica%2Bpunches%2Bhitler%26id%3DBF584255D0D456BD57F6E4EDB302D139D75ECFF8%23focal%3Dbb2f42234a70bc98ff32c10d855b988c%26amp%3Bfurl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fthreatqualitypress.files.wordpress.com%252f2009%252f12%252fcaptain-america-hitler.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcaptain%2Bamerica%2Bpunches%2Bhitler%26id%3DBF584255D0D456BD57F6E4EDB302D139D75ECFF8%23focal%3Dbb2f42234a70bc98ff32c10d855b988c%26amp%3Bfurl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fthreatqualitypress.files.wordpress.com%252f2009%252f12%252fcaptain-america-hitler.jpg&p=captain+america+punches+hitler&type=&no=2&tt=115&oid=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DH.4897088108692585%26pid%3D15.1&tit=captain+america+hitler&sigr=17r4c1mh7&sigi=17kspi33o&sigb=1282dn5r7&fr=yfp-t-701

Sci-fi History: Batman and Robin (1940)

During the 1940s, comics began including young sidekicks for their heroes in an effort to attract younger readers. In 1940, Batman teamed up with Robin for the first time. Robin emerged the most iconic of the teen sidekicks. Over time, critics began questioning the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Many felt uncomfortable. Eventually, Grayson left the batcave and became Nightwing. Since then, there have been a number of Robins including Jason Todd, who became the Red Hood, Tim Drake (Red Robin), Stephanie Brown (Spoiler), and Wayne's son Damian.