So how long will the "Modern Age" go on. Currently at what - 18yrs? And what will the next "Age" be called (maybe the "Overpriced Age" or will there be another "Age" added before the "Modern Age"? Does anyone care? Is everything after the "Copper Age" pretty much over printed and worthless? Thus, languishing as "Modern Age" books forever.

I would suggest that the Copper age be followed by the "Enhancement Age." 1992 - ? Foil covers, variant covers, die cut covers, etc etc etc

While the vast majority of this is worthless and destined to fill landfills now until the end of days, there are actually some gold nuggets in the mix.

For instance, some Spider-mans (and other Marvel flagship titles) from the early 2000s had very low print runs. These books can easily fetch $5 a pop (or more in some cases) in NM grade. Granted, not a lot of money, but when you consider most books from the 90s are worth a dime, $5 a book is not bad.

Looking at other art forms I would guess that the next age will be the Post Modern Age, but I don't think that we will know when it began except in hindsight. Right now I think that the balance of power in new comics is shifting away from the big two. The middle aged fanboys will always buy their fav DC and Marvel titles, but new readers seem to be focusing on independents. What series will mark the beginning of this Age will again not be known until later.

Mike

I think a good starting point for the age we're in now would be '02. It would lead to an age being set for the decade from '92 onwards, and the '02 date would coincide with Walkaing Dead #1. That's probably the most prominent modern title around at the moment, and the interest it's receiving for an independent is huge.

As Mike says, we're definitely in an age where the focus (power?) in modern comics is seeing a shift towards indies, and rightly so. The big two keep turning out the numerous B-, C-, and even D-list titles that nobody except the uber-completist really care about. It's a false way to create sales, and readers are always going to go for quality over quantity. That's where the indies definitely have the upper hand at the moment.

Thing is, if this is now the Modern age, what was the age between '92 and '02? The Recovery Age?

How about the "Platinum Age" for 92 - 02? Isn't this around the same time Platinum was the "new" catch phrase?

Not a bad name, but the problem is that the pre-Golden age period is often referred to as the Platinum Age.

We should call pre golden the Coal Age (lol). No wonder Platinum sounded good.

So who does actually define the ages? I know it's normally down to a landmark issue indicating a shift in the content of comics, but surely that's been done since '92 by now?

I define the ages. The Modern Age will end now and the new age, we'll call it the Brand New Heroic Brightest Night and Day Age, will start with the release of Brightest Day and Heroic Age.

Well, I think that the ages are usually defined after-the-fact. They are usually tied to the release of certain books or major shifts in the hobby paradigm. I could see a new "age" starting with Walking Dead #1. What to call it would be up to the collecting public in general. I don't think that it will be decided on when it began and what it is called until well in the future though.

If it's almost 10 years past, it seems like it may be an appropriate time to start talking about the age between Copper and Modern. (I presume "Modern" will shift to the most recent period.)

I don't see why we could not "define" the ages if we have a good proposal and it is accepted by the hobby in general. A good way to float the idea and make the idea public would be an article for the Comic Book Quarterly. Anyone want to take a whack at it?

Now that sounds an interesting idea Steve

I'll give it a go. Maybe a few pieces would be a good idea?

Well, since I decide the ages anyway I would like to take a whack at it also. Did you want to work together or on separate pieces?

Whatever you guys decide... if you want to collaborate -- great. If you have different ideas, two articles would be cool too.

I'll get a PM over to you over the weekend, see what way's best to take it

Here is my very rough draft of a proposal. Comments?

Each comic “Age” begins with a defining moment. For the Golden Age it was the release of Action Comics #1, the book that introduces Superman to the world. The Silver Age starts with the release of Showcase #4. This is the introduction and reinterpretation of the Flash by DC Comics. The Modern Age is seen to begin with the formation of Image Comics back in 1992. Below is the list of generally recognized comic book ages and their timespans…
Platinum Age – Pre-1938*
Golden Age – 1938-1945 (8 years)
Atom Age – 1946-1956 (11 years)
Silver Age – 1956-1970 (15 years)
Bronze Age – 1970-1984 (15 years)
Copper Age – 1984-1992 (9 years)
Modern Age – 1992-Present (19+ years)
*While there are other ages that predate the Platinum Age, I want to focus on the Golden Age and after.

These time frames are generalizations and some overlap does exist. The question being proposed is has the Modern Age ended and a new “Age” begun and it not be noticed? As can be seen, the other Ages are 8 – 15 years in length while the Modern Age is closing in on 20 years. Has there not been a defining moment in the last 11 years that could signal the end of the Modern Age and the beginning of another?

I propose that the time frame of 1992 – 2004 be considered a new age. It was in 2004 when the publishing company Valiant Comics went out of business. When Valiant Comics came out they shot to the top of the publishing world. They were the third highest producer, behind Marvel and DC, and sold over 80 million comics their first five years.

The collapse of Valiant was not the only defining moment that happened in 2004. Two of the most popular independent comic book series ended that year. Cerebus by Dave Sim started in 1977 and continued on for 300 issues before ending in 2004. Jeff Smith’s Bone, a highly acclaimed series, also ended in 2004 after going for 55 issues. The cessation of these two books was a huge blow to the independent publisher.

While the previous reasons involve the ending of an age, the final reason involves the beginning of one. The comic series The Walking Dead debuted in late 2003. This series by Robert Kirkman has been overwhelmingly popular since its release. It has helped to reinvigorate the industry with its well written human drama set in a zombie apocalypse. It has proven so popular that AMC will be doing a television series based on the property.

So in conclusion, and for the three reasons listed above, I propose that a new “Age” be created for the time period of 1992 – 2004. Paying homage to the use of special covers that were so prevalent during that time the new Age should be "The Chromium Age". The Modern Age would be moved to start in 2003 with the release of The Walking Dead #1. What say you all?


**Note: I changed the name from Nickel Age to Chromium Age. I think that Chromium Age just sounds better.

No comments? Was it something I said?

I hadn't realized you had broke it down so nicely. I obviously would like to see a change and I do like the sound of the "Chromium Age". As far as the dates you have some compelling reasons behind ending it at 2004.

CrossGen closed shop in 2004 as well.

I completely forgot about this piece

I'll get on it with macathro ASAP. It sure would make an interesting column for the newsletter.

You've put forward a great argument there, and I would totally agree with 2004 as being the start of a new Age. That would cut the proposed Chromium Age to 12 years which sits comfortably with all the other ages.

Works for me! Chromium Age, 1992-2004... I can dig it!

Modern age was over in 2008.

Now its the we will screw over the completist with 10 variants per cover and then 2nd printings with 10 variant covers of the 2nd printing era.

It is the late 80's early 90's all over again! The variant covers was one of the many contributors to the market implosion experienced then. The comic publishers were aiming their output toward the investor and not the reader/collector. Once the investors stepped out, everything crumbled. I'm not saying that it will happen again now but I can see the frustration in general building up.

On the flip side though, if people weren't buying them then the publishers wouldn't print them. As long as they perceive a demand they'll continue wrapping the same story in however many covers it takes to make a profit.

I think it is happening again personally. I help out at a lcs along with buy from them and back in 2006 if you had a 1 in 10 it was $10, 1 in 15 was $15, 1 in 20 was $20-25 and then the 1 in 50 and above that roughly go around $40 and up.

Now in 2010 prices have dropped across the board in which 1 in 10 is $5, 1 in 15 is $5, 1 in 20 is $10 - 15 depending on what book. The only ones holding value is the 1 in 50 and above that still get about the same rate for when they first come out.

I know my lcs gets way less variants on their weekly orders now unlike in 2006 where they would grab them all because if the book was hot they would do well and the variant would be extra cheddar. Now they are making less on the variants so they don't bother unless a person orders it and is a good customer or if they offer to buy the requiremnet to get the variant.

On Free comic Book Day I worked the discounted basement and I had a few shortboxes of variants in which they had 1 in 10's up to 20's for 3 for $10 in which I sold a shortbox worth. That was a learning experience for me and has curved my have to have it now attitude.

This is only one store but my experience thus far. Even on Ebay it seems the lower quantity variants are not as much anymore on release when I am viewing.

As a side note I know that the 4 stores in my city except one store will get the 1 in 50's and 75's because who wants to stock 50 copies of a book especially in these financial times. Money can work elsewhere instead of sitting on it.

As a final note I enjoy searching long boxes for $1 books in earlier eras and don't have to worry as much about finding multiple covers for the most part. There is a few that had variants but not as bad in 2008 and up.

Marvel has really been pushing 2nd printings as of late too. Almost every Secret Avengers and Shadowland have had 2nd printings and in some cases a variant of that 2nd printing along with the Secret Avengers series has almost a 1 in 75 for every book.

It makes collecting not enjoyable since I am not rich and all my money is going into few books when I could possibly be reding other series. That is my fault in part for being a completist when it comes to Moon Knight. Due to these variants and 2nd printings I am missing two books thus far for my Moon Knight regular series to be 100% complete but at least they are cheapies and I will get them eventually.

There was also a Secret Avenger #2 Deodato cover I really wanted of Moon Knight but it was 1 in 75 and I am not willing to pay the price tag of $40 and up on it.

Hey! Come see my proposal get totally trashed on the CGC site! Ooops...I mean

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ub ... 91&fpart=1

Well, not totally. Some people liked it. Boozad posted it in the Modern section and it seemed to stir up some conversation.

Looks like most enjoyed the article and it stirred some conversation.

A few bomb throwers, but that is to be expected. Unfortunately, some folks can't disagree without coming off like an obnoxious know-it-all who denigrates the person with whom they disagree. I can't help but wonder if mschmidt would be so in-your-face in a face-to-face conversation. I somehow doubt it. Such is life in the Internet age...

BTW, Mike. Nice job keeping your cool. There is a lot to be said for being graceful in the face of rude responses. I'm not usually so good at keeping my temper.

Like I said, I wanted the article to stir up conversation. As for the rude comments, life is too darn short to worry about it. Other people are actually trying to think about it and that is what I like to see.

The rude comments are why I have very little posts on the CGC board. At least it's generated some discussion.

It looks like it is getting a little heated now. I'm all for people telling me I'm wrong but so far no one has even attempted to put together any sort of counter-proposal besides just listing which comic they feel should separate the ages (Ultimate Spider-Man #1 seems to be the general consensus). It'll be interesting to see if any other articles come from it.

Yep, it's gotten somewhat OFF topic. I thought those boards had moderators?