Western Comic Books: 1930-1960s

Early Western Comic books from the late ’30’s and early ’40’s, were based on and complemented early western TV and movie stars such as Roy Rogers and Charles Starrett. From there, the genre gained popularity and DC, Prize, Marvel launched multiple series in the ’50’s and ’60’s with names like Tomahawk, Six Gun Heroes, Blazing Six Guns, Two-Gun Kid, Ringo Kid, Apache Kid and my favorite, Bullet Code.

I love the heavily romanticized and stereotyped view of the American West through the lens of the mid-twentieth century.

These comics are all racially appalling, "If you survive our tribal test, Tomahawk, you and the boy win your freedom!"

Check out the golden eagle on his headdress and loincloth, it looks like something form the Third Reich.

Check out his Van Dyke mustache.

Love the Spanish.

Indian or White Man?

Crackin’ skulls.

I love John Wayne’s outfit, his wool shirt is amazing. I cant get over the fonts, titles and colors.

Check out this advertisement from the back of a Two-Gun Kid. Everything a boy needs.

Yeeeeehhhaaaaaaaaa!

I have never liked comic books. I usually find people’s obsession with their set formulas and one-dimensional characters almost as boring as US Weekly or Perez Hilton. However, these Western Comics are an awesome romanticization of the American West and and interesting look into the ’30’s, ’40’s, ’50’s, and ’60’s. This is what the people who wore Filson, Woolrich and Pendleton read when they were 11. Check out my picasa album for a lot more pictures.

Here are some more links,
Western Comics (Picasa),
All-Star Western (Wiki),
Western Comic Marketplace,
The First Western Comic Book,
Amazingco.com comic Book index (there are some gems in here),
All John Wayne Comics,
Two-Gun Kid (Wiki).