While many people are predicting the demise of the superhero genre, the signs suggest that it’s actually mimicking classic comics moving from their Golden Age, to the Silver Age. Despite the names, the Golden and Silver Age of comics is not indicative of the quality, like a gold medal winner versus a silver medal winner. In comic terms, it marks a shift in the industry, and the types of stories being told.

And despite the rumors that superhero fatigue has firmly taken hold, the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is still expanding, and the DCU is about to reset a universe of stories suggests something different. It’s similar to any other genre of film, with horror transitioning from periods of slasher horror and then supernatural horror. But when it comes to comic book movies, there is a clear example of this shift.

The Golden Age Of The MCU Is Behind Us

Golden Age Of Comic Book Movies – 1978 – 2019

The Golden Age of Comics marks a period that roughly stretches from 1938, the birth of heroes like Superman and Batman, to 1956. While comics and picture stories had been around for a long time, there was the rise of the serialized comic. This gave rise to what modern comic books would look like, and importantly, what superheroes were.

While DC Comics dominated the Golden Age of comics, Marvel managed to dominate the Golden Age of Comic Book Movies. Yes, it started much earlier, with Christopher Reeves’ Superman movies back in 1978, and into the 2000s with Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Trilogy and the Fox X-Men movies, but the rise of the MCU was the biggest success of this era.

This period defined what modern superhero movies could look like, and the broad ways in which superhero stories could be told. And essentially, it introduced some iconic heroes like Iron Man and Captain America, who defined the era.

However, like the Golden Age of Comics, this period ended with a slump. Sales began to fall, and the stories began to grow stale for the audience. This is undeniably true for the MCU, as the box office of their latest releases has taken a mᴀssive fall, despite the quality being generally high.

Superhero Fatigue Has Slowly Overtaken The Success Of Comic Book Movies

The Slump Has Hit The Multiverse Saga & DCEU Hard

Now, I did stipulate that superhero fatigue was just a rumor, but there is some truth to this idea. While the MCU got to a point before Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame where they were consistently releasing movies that earned in excess of a billion dollars, the Multiverse Saga has struggled.

Across the entire period, there have only been two movies that broke the billion-dollar threshold, Spider-Man: No Way Home and ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, beyond that, the MCU has barely broken even, and occasionally even lost money on their major theatrical releases.

At the same time, the DCEU, which began in 2013, disintegrated. The brand struggled to catch up to Marvel’s success, and the quality suffered, leading to a total dismantling of the DCEU, and the keys to the kingdom being handed over to James Gunn and Peter Safran to rebuild the stories from the fround up.

Meanwhile, other smaller superhero properties began to see more success, such as The Boys and Invincible. This is all reflective of the changes that came about at the end of the Golden Age of Comics, when the fanbase began looking for something new, and older, more established brands began to suffer.

The Silver Age Of Comic Book Movies Is Now

A New Era Is Beginning For Superhero Movies

The Silver Age of Comics began a brand-new chapter that saw excitement about comic books climb once again, largely thanks to the introduction of new thrilling characters and the rise of Marvel Comics. This was the period that saw superheros like The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and X-Men.

And for DC, the Justice League of America gave their old familiar heroes a brand-new set of stories to excite audiences. Interestingly, the DCU is set to establish a much more connected universe of heroes for DC in a way that they have never been seen before.

Meanwhile, the MCU is introducing The Fantastic Four and the X-Men teams over the next few months and years, giving their brand a much needed refresh after the popularity of the Avengers. Even Spider-Man’s story is getting a refresh in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with Peter Parker having a fresh start due to Doctor Strange’s spell.

The similarities in what is happening at this moment in time for both Marvel and DC as compared to the comic books’ surge in popularity in the Silver Age of Comics is uncanny. And while it may not be a guarantee that the Silver Age of Comic Book Movies will take off in the same way, it feels more likely than it has in many years.

The Future Looks Bright For Marvel & DC, ᴀssuming The Fantastic Four: First Steps & Superman Succeed

Superhero Movies Have A Lot Of Exciting Developments Ahead

With that said, there is a lot riding on the back of Superman in the DCU, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Both movies are essentially opening up a new era for their respective universes. And both feature some of the most popular characters in comic book history.

But at the same time, these movies are huge gambles that cost hundreds of millions to make, and are set to set up several more movies in the future. The DCEU struggled to take off from the start, despite opening with Man of Steel. And the Multiverse Saga has not fared well for its duration.

And yet, it feels like some of the old magic that existed around these properties at the start of their rise is back. The Dark Knight trilogy was a huge spectacle, and it took comic book movies out of less popular spaces, and into the mainstream. Likewise, the MCU proved that these movies are for everyone, not just for classically nerdy or geeky people.

Now, the MCU and the DCU look forward to a bright future, with plans to introduce the Justice League, the X-Men, and many other incredible heroes and unique stories. Meanwhile, smaller superhero productions like The Boys and Invincible are thriving.

From all angles, it seems as though the future for the superhero genre is bright, and if Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps manage to win big at the box office, it may well be remembered as the start of the Silver Age of Comic Book Movies.