The Birth of an Art Form: The First Comic Book Published

A replica of the cover of Famous Funnies #1, considered the first true American comic book

Comic books have become a fundamental part of global pop culture, spawning billion-dollar franchises and inspiring generations of artists. But where did this beloved medium begin? Let's travel back in time to explore the origins of the first comic book ever published.

The Precursors to Comic Books

Before the modern comic book format emerged, several important predecessors laid the groundwork:

• Rodolphe Töpffer (1827): The Swiss artist created sequential illustrated stories that many consider proto-comics
• The Yellow Kid (1895): This newspaper comic strip by Richard F. Outcault introduced speech balloons
• Funnies on Parade (1933): A promotional giveaway that collected newspaper strips in booklet form

Key Milestones in Early Comics

1837: The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck - considered by some as the earliest comic book

1897: The first comic strip supplement in newspapers appears

1933: Funnies on Parade establishes the comic book format

1934: Famous Funnies #1 debuts as the first newsstand comic book

Famous Funnies #1: The True Pioneer

While debate continues among historians, Famous Funnies #1 (cover dated July 1934) is widely recognized as the first true American comic book sold on newsstands. Published by Eastern Color Printing, this 68-page anthology cost 10¢ and featured reprinted newspaper comic strips.

The success of Famous Funnies proved there was a market for comic books as a standalone medium, paving the way for the creation of original content and eventually the superhero genre that would dominate American comics.

Did You Know?

The first issue of Famous Funnies had a print run of 35,000 copies. Today, surviving copies in good condition can sell for over $50,000 at auction!

The Impact of the First Comic Book

The publication of Famous Funnies #1 created a ripple effect that would change entertainment forever:

1. Established the comic book industry: Proved comics could be commercially viable
2. Inspired original content: Soon publishers moved beyond reprints to create new characters
3. Led to the Golden Age: The success paved the way for Superman's debut in 1938
4. Created a new art form: Comics developed unique storytelling techniques

From Humble Beginnings to Global Phenomenon

What began as a collection of reprinted newspaper strips has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry encompassing comics, graphic novels, films, and merchandise. The first comic book may have been simple by today's standards, but its cultural impact is immeasurable.

At CartoonHub, we celebrate this rich history while looking forward to the future of comics. The medium continues to evolve, but it all started with those pioneering publications of the 1930s that dared to put sequential art between colorful covers.

What's your favorite piece of comic book history? Share your thoughts in the comments below!