In 2006, the United States Postal Service sold a collection of postage stamps based on Super Heroes. I think that it is significant that they chose DC characters to develop a collection of stamps. I think that it also supports my argument that Superman, as well as other DC characters, are truly the icons of America. More and more, I would also argue that Marvel is beginning to have a greater influence as well. It is good to get recognition of the part that comic books play in American culture and history.
It is interesting to note that the pictures chosen were primarily from the “golden age.” I have thought much about the classic “golden age” characters over the years. I think that golden age art has had a great impact on the perception of comic books and their characters. I am not ready to say that we need to go back to the less-detailed, flat artwork. However, I do think that there is a purity that is drawn from those decades of comics. Sometimes the newer comic books get a little too “gritty”, realistic and sometimes vulgar. I think it is important to keep some sense of decency in comics. More and more, however, I see a deviation from that and more into social statements. The “golden age” were comics that were written for the sake of reading. It is good to see that the post office honored that.
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Photo from Amazon.com where these stamps are currently for sale.
This post is a rewrite of a post from July 2006 titled “Super Stamps“