Quote:
It wasn't until the more numerous generation that began with the baby crops of the late '40s started making our own purchasing decisions that new superhero titles became viable.


I understand your theory, James. I just question whether the total number of comics supported by the market in 1953-1954, the time of the Timely revival, was significantly less than in 1963-1964. My gut level guess is that the industry may have been healthier in 53-54 than in 63-64.

You may be right that the market was not as good for the kind of readers that liked superheros. But, again, I think superheros appeal to a variety of ages. DC survived because they adapted to their market. The early realistic Superman who tackled social issues bears no resemblance to the Superman of 1953-1954. The Captain America of 1942 is the same as the Captain America of 1954. Atlas failed because they product they offered was inferior to DC's product in that it did not adapt to the audience's desire for non-realistic heros that weren't socially relevant.

Marvel succeeded because by 1963-1964 socially relevant heros were very marketable. I don't think Atlas' failure was a lack of potential audience, but its failure in 1953, unlike in 1963, to adapt to what its audience wanted.