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[[The Iron Age of Comic Books]] is a different interpretation of comic history that sees the [[The Dark Age of Comic Books]] and [[The Modern Age of Comic Books]] as one period. This age can be defined with its [[Retcon|Retcons]], [[Re Boot|Reboots]], [[Retool|Retools]] and [[Alternate Universe|AlternateUniverses]] that were deemed necessary after about fifty years of accumulated continuity threatening to create a [[Continuity Lock Out]] to new readers.
[[The Iron Age of Comic Books]] is a different interpretation of comic history that sees the [[The Dark Age of Comic Books]] and [[The Modern Age of Comic Books]] as one period. This age can be defined with its [[Retcon|Retcons]], [[Re Boot|Reboots]], [[Retool|Retools]] and [[Alternate Universe|AlternateUniverses]] that were deemed necessary after about fifty years of accumulated continuity threatening to create a [[Continuity Lock Out]] to new readers.


[[The DCU]] released [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]] in 1985, a [[Crisis Crossover]] that created the [[Post-Crisis]] universe that removed [[The Silver Age of Comic Books|the Silver Age's]] [[Shoo Out the Clowns|excesses]], in an attempt to make the stories more serious and plausible now given the opportunity to do so. [[Jim Shooter]] tried to mirror a move to realistic seriousness in [[Marvel Comics]] with [[The New Universe]] imprint, but this did not have good critical reaction at the time and thus Marvel would have to try again later, but they did put in their effort, the [[New Mutants]], as a part of the cultural atmosphere of the time, but this was not nearly as ground breaking of an effort as [[The New Universe]] was.
[[The DCU]] released [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] in 1985, a [[Crisis Crossover]] that created the [[Post-Crisis]] universe that removed [[The Silver Age of Comic Books|the Silver Age's]] [[Shoo Out the Clowns|excesses]], in an attempt to make the stories more serious and plausible now given the opportunity to do so. [[Jim Shooter]] tried to mirror a move to realistic seriousness in [[Marvel Comics]] with [[The New Universe]] imprint, but this did not have good critical reaction at the time and thus Marvel would have to try again later, but they did put in their effort, the [[New Mutants]], as a part of the cultural atmosphere of the time, but this was not nearly as ground breaking of an effort as [[The New Universe]] was.


This zeitgeist of attempted plausibility and new found seriousness in superhero comic books is reflected in [[Alan Moore|Alan Moore's]] [[Deconstruction|Watchmen]] and [[Frank Miller|Frank Miller's]] [[The Dark Knight Returns]], both released in 1986. As well, the DC imprint [[Vertigo Comics]] also followed suit in tone, coming to its zenith with [[The Sandman]] in 1989. The turn to seriousness, especially in [[The Dark Knight Returns]] also inspired the efforts of the [[Batman]] film in 1989 and [[Batman the Animated Series]] in 1992.
This zeitgeist of attempted plausibility and new found seriousness in superhero comic books is reflected in [[Alan Moore|Alan Moore's]] [[Deconstruction|Watchmen]] and [[Frank Miller|Frank Miller's]] [[The Dark Knight Returns]], both released in 1986. As well, the DC imprint [[Vertigo Comics]] also followed suit in tone, coming to its zenith with [[The Sandman]] in 1989. The turn to seriousness, especially in [[The Dark Knight Returns]] also inspired the efforts of the [[Batman]] film in 1989 and [[Batman: The Animated Series]] in 1992.


Perhaps because of the new blank slate attitude that prevailed [[Post-Crisis]], new comic book companies remerged, like [[Dark Horse Comics]] in 1986 and [[Valiant Comics]] in 1989. They published such acclaimed works as [[Hellboy]] and [[Sin City]], as well as releasing works like [[Akira (Manga)|Akira]], perhaps because this tone of serious and plausible now matched Japan's similar sense of serious and plausible, not to mention [[Japan Takes Over the World|the economic success of Japan at the time as well.]] Other new companies include [[Image Comics]] founded in 1992, which was a major [[Trope Codifier]] for the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]], in [[Spawn]] and most of Rob Liefeld's work. However these excesses quickly collapsed somewhere around 1996 due in part to the [[The Great Comics Crash of 1996]].
Perhaps because of the new blank slate attitude that prevailed [[Post-Crisis]], new comic book companies remerged, like [[Dark Horse Comics]] in 1986 and [[Valiant Comics]] in 1989. They published such acclaimed works as [[Hellboy]] and [[Sin City]], as well as releasing works like [[Akira]], perhaps because this tone of serious and plausible now matched Japan's similar sense of serious and plausible, not to mention [[Japan Takes Over the World|the economic success of Japan at the time as well.]] Other new companies include [[Image Comics]] founded in 1992, which was a major [[Trope Codifier]] for the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]], in [[Spawn]] and most of Rob Liefeld's work. However these excesses quickly collapsed somewhere around 1996 due in part to the [[The Great Comics Crash of 1996]].


Also cutting down on the excesses from inside the pages of a comic book was [[Kingdom Come]] in 1996, which reminded writers and artists of the time that the goal was to be seriously realistic, not cynically gritty. Afterwards, [[Transmetropolitan]] was published in 1997, a celebrated work of plausible scientific rigor as well as reflecting the general tone of the period without dipping too far into the grittiness so as to be ridiculous.
Also cutting down on the excesses from inside the pages of a comic book was [[Kingdom Come]] in 1996, which reminded writers and artists of the time that the goal was to be seriously realistic, not cynically gritty. Afterwards, [[Transmetropolitan]] was published in 1997, a celebrated work of plausible scientific rigor as well as reflecting the general tone of the period without dipping too far into the grittiness so as to be ridiculous.


Speaking of ridiculous, [[Marvel Comics]] was beginning to struggle majorly with its properties, especially [[Spider Man]], who was knee deep in the [[Continuity Snarl]] that was the Clone Saga. Perhaps trying to find wiggle room continuity-wise and to provide sources of much needed revenue, Marvel created such shows as [[Spider Man the Animated Series]], the [[Astonishing X Men]] animated series, the [[Incredible Hulk]] animated series, the [[Fantastic Four]] animated series and the [[Iron Man]] animated series. Perhaps encouraged with the success of these works set in a alternate continuity and the potential new audience that was fostered by it, they gave the new universe thing a try again in 2000 with [[Ultimate Marvel]], and sales returned once again.
Speaking of ridiculous, [[Marvel Comics]] was beginning to struggle majorly with its properties, especially [[Spider-Man]], who was knee deep in the [[Continuity Snarl]] that was the Clone Saga. Perhaps trying to find wiggle room continuity-wise and to provide sources of much needed revenue, Marvel created such shows as [[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]], the [[Astonishing X Men]] animated series, the [[Incredible Hulk]] animated series, the [[Fantastic Four]] animated series and the [[Iron Man]] animated series. Perhaps encouraged with the success of these works set in a alternate continuity and the potential new audience that was fostered by it, they gave the new universe thing a try again in 2000 with [[Ultimate Marvel]], and sales returned once again.


This effort with animation from both DC and Marvel helped spawn the new flow of superhero blockbusters, including the [[Spider Man]] films, [[The Dark Knight Saga]], and [[Watchmen]] among others. The Iron Age carries probably some of the greatest public awareness of superheroes than any other age due to the nice fresh starts, many a animated series, and successful blockbusters all getting the word out about this medium, fostering a new generation of [[Comic Book]] fans.
This effort with animation from both DC and Marvel helped spawn the new flow of superhero blockbusters, including the [[Spider-Man]] films, [[The Dark Knight Saga]], and [[Watchmen]] among others. The Iron Age carries probably some of the greatest public awareness of superheroes than any other age due to the nice fresh starts, many a animated series, and successful blockbusters all getting the word out about this medium, fostering a new generation of [[Comic Book]] fans.


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=== Notable series of the Iron Age: ===
=== Notable series of the Iron Age: ===


* [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]]: The [[Crisis Crossover]] that started them all, and helped kick start the Iron Age.
* [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]: The [[Crisis Crossover]] that started them all, and helped kick start the Iron Age.
* [[Watchmen]]: Though not effecting continuity, it definitely influenced the tone of comic books for years to come.
* [[Watchmen]]: Though not effecting continuity, it definitely influenced the tone of comic books for years to come.
* [[The Dark Knight Returns]]: Not only did this effect comic books, but helped to shape a new, serious, plausible [[Batman]] that was the basis of many film series' and animated series'.
* [[The Dark Knight Returns]]: Not only did this effect comic books, but helped to shape a new, serious, plausible [[Batman]] that was the basis of many film series' and animated series'.
* ''[[Hellboy (Comic Book)|Hellboy]]'' Debuted in 1994. [[Legions of Hell|A demon]] [[The End of the World As We Know It|who is destined to bring about the apocalypse]] fights Nazis and [[Cosmic Horror|Lovecraftian abominations]] with [[BFG|a huge gun]] and the title character himself is a huge mass of psychological issues. The premise itself is very [[Dark Age]], but the series actually isn't [[Grimdark]]. Hellboy is shown to give very good advice, and enjoys pancakes.
* ''[[Hellboy (comics)|Hellboy]]'' Debuted in 1994. [[Legions of Hell|A demon]] [[The End of the World as We Know It|who is destined to bring about the apocalypse]] fights Nazis and [[Cosmic Horror|Lovecraftian abominations]] with [[BFG|a huge gun]] and the title character himself is a huge mass of psychological issues. The premise itself is very [[Dark Age]], but the series actually isn't [[Grimdark]]. Hellboy is shown to give very good advice, and enjoys pancakes.
* Venom went from being an evil version of Spider-man, to an [[Anti-Hero]], to a [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] with his own book, before his symbiote split and bonded to an [[Axe Crazy]] [[Serial Killer]], creating Carnage, an evil(er) version of Venom.
* Venom went from being an evil version of Spider-man, to an [[Anti-Hero]], to a [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] with his own book, before his symbiote split and bonded to an [[Axe Crazy]] [[Serial Killer]], creating Carnage, an evil(er) version of Venom.
* ''[[Spawn]]'' (The scion of [[Image]] and the model for its many imitators)
* ''[[Spawn]]'' (The scion of [[Image]] and the model for its many imitators)
* ''[[The Punisher]]'' (This pre-existing ultra-violent [[Anti-Hero]] [[Vigilante Man]]'s stock went way, way up)
* ''[[The Punisher]]'' (This pre-existing ultra-violent [[Anti-Hero]] [[Vigilante Man]]'s stock went way, way up)
* ''[[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]]: [[Batman: Year One|Year One]]'' (Went hand-in-hand with ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' in defining Frank Miller's vision of the Caped Crusader)
* ''[[Batman]]: [[Batman: Year One|Year One]]'' (Went hand-in-hand with ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' in defining Frank Miller's vision of the Caped Crusader)
** Other notable Dark Age ''[[Batman]]'' stories include ''[[The Killing Joke]]'', ''A Death in the Family'', and ''[[Knightfall]]''. The first modern [[Batman (Film)|Batman movie]] also came out during this era.
** Other notable Dark Age ''[[Batman]]'' stories include ''[[The Killing Joke]]'', ''A Death in the Family'', and ''[[Knightfall]]''. The first modern [[Batman (film)|Batman movie]] also came out during this era.
* ''[[Wolverine]]'', like the Punisher and Batman, was a preexisting hero who attained new heights of popularity because he fit the grim and gritty trend; his regular series began in 1988, and [[Wolverine Publicity]] spread like Kudzu.
* ''[[Wolverine]]'', like the Punisher and Batman, was a preexisting hero who attained new heights of popularity because he fit the grim and gritty trend; his regular series began in 1988, and [[Wolverine Publicity]] spread like Kudzu.
* [[Lobo]], though a character and not a series, was created as a parody of [[Nineties Anti-Hero|this kind of hero]], and quickly [[Misaimed Fandom|gained popularity]] ''[[Misaimed Fandom|as]]'' [[Misaimed Fandom|one]].
* [[Lobo]], though a character and not a series, was created as a parody of [[Nineties Anti-Hero|this kind of hero]], and quickly [[Misaimed Fandom|gained popularity]] ''[[Misaimed Fandom|as]]'' [[Misaimed Fandom|one]].
* ''[[Marshal Law]]'' was also a parody of this era's excesses.
* ''[[Marshal Law]]'' was also a parody of this era's excesses.
* ''[[Witchblade (Comic Book)|Witchblade]]'', one of the few long-lasting books of that time period, which spawned a [[Witchblade (TV)|TV show]], [[Witchblade (Anime)|anime]], and manga, with an upcoming movie.
* ''[[Witchblade (Comic Book)|Witchblade]]'', one of the few long-lasting books of that time period, which spawned a [[Witchblade (TV series)|TV show]], [[Witchblade (anime)|anime]], and manga, with an upcoming movie.
* ''[[Judge Dredd]]'' was another example of Misaimed Fandom on a pre-existing character. Unfortunately, the US fans and Hollywood missed what was blatant to the original 2000 AD readers: that Dredd was a rare satirical character played straight instead of for humor.
* ''[[Judge Dredd]]'' was another example of Misaimed Fandom on a pre-existing character. Unfortunately, the US fans and Hollywood missed what was blatant to the original 2000 AD readers: that Dredd was a rare satirical character played straight instead of for humor.
* ''[[Supreme]]'' started out as a straight example about "What if Superman was a huge jerk", but when Alan Moore came on, this trend was parodied with "Grim 80s Supreme" as one of the previous incarnations living in the Supremacy. Later they would introduce his archenemy Grim 80s Demented Tittering Transvestite Serial Killer Darius Dax (Dax is normally Lex Luthor with hair, so you can tell how big a stretch that characterization is) and Grim 80s Traumatized Diana Dane.
* ''[[Supreme]]'' started out as a straight example about "What if Superman was a huge jerk", but when Alan Moore came on, this trend was parodied with "Grim 80s Supreme" as one of the previous incarnations living in the Supremacy. Later they would introduce his archenemy Grim 80s Demented Tittering Transvestite Serial Killer Darius Dax (Dax is normally Lex Luthor with hair, so you can tell how big a stretch that characterization is) and Grim 80s Traumatized Diana Dane.
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** Possibly a [[Deconstruction]], because world fared [[Apocalypse How|exactly as well]] as you'd expect it to do under the rule of a superpowered psychopath. Also, AoA ''did'' make the difference between heroes and villains pretty clear.
** Possibly a [[Deconstruction]], because world fared [[Apocalypse How|exactly as well]] as you'd expect it to do under the rule of a superpowered psychopath. Also, AoA ''did'' make the difference between heroes and villains pretty clear.
* [[The Crow]], first published in 1989, is about a brooding pretty boy goth who comes back from the dead to take revenge on the gang that murdered him and his girlfriend by killing them in brutal and symbolic ways. It spawned a TV Show and a few movies, briefly becoming a Gothic icon.
* [[The Crow]], first published in 1989, is about a brooding pretty boy goth who comes back from the dead to take revenge on the gang that murdered him and his girlfriend by killing them in brutal and symbolic ways. It spawned a TV Show and a few movies, briefly becoming a Gothic icon.
* [[X Force]], the [[X Men]] spin off that gave the world Cable, Deadpool, and, for better or worse, launched the career of [[Rob Liefeld]].
* [[X-Force]], the [[X-Men]] spin off that gave the world Cable, Deadpool, and, for better or worse, launched the career of [[Rob Liefeld]].
* [[Kingdom Come]]: a harsh [[Deconstruction]] of the Dark Age and the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] archetype. As good a starting point for the modern age as any other, set into motion many of trends such as [[Reconstruction]], [[Lighter and Softer]], and [[George Lucas Throwback]], to earlier ages, and comics that you need to purchase entire companion books in order to understand every reference. It was also a key factor in the declining popularity of the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] in favor of more traditional Silver Age archetypes.
* [[Kingdom Come]]: a harsh [[Deconstruction]] of the Dark Age and the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] archetype. As good a starting point for the modern age as any other, set into motion many of trends such as [[Reconstruction]], [[Lighter and Softer]], and [[George Lucas Throwback]], to earlier ages, and comics that you need to purchase entire companion books in order to understand every reference. It was also a key factor in the declining popularity of the [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] in favor of more traditional Silver Age archetypes.
* Grant Morrison's ''[[Justice League of America|JLA]]'', which brought back the bright, shiny heroes in huge, epic plots. Began in 1997, one year after [[Kingdom Come]], and helped to [[Trope Codifier|Codify]] many of the concepts and trends introduced by [[Kingdom Come]], and did more to [[Reconstruction|Reconstruct]] the Main DCU than any other series.
* Grant Morrison's ''[[Justice League of America|JLA]]'', which brought back the bright, shiny heroes in huge, epic plots. Began in 1997, one year after [[Kingdom Come]], and helped to [[Trope Codifier|Codify]] many of the concepts and trends introduced by [[Kingdom Come]], and did more to [[Reconstruction|Reconstruct]] the Main DCU than any other series.
** Also by Morrison, ''[[All Star DC Comics|All-Star]] [[All Star Superman|Superman]],'' an [[Alternate Universe]] take on [[Superman]] that uses various Silver Age tropes to tell the story of a Superman who is nearing the end of his life. Also notable for the scene in which [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Superman punches out the Tyrant Sun.]]
** Also by Morrison, ''[[All Star DC Comics|All-Star]] [[All-Star Superman|Superman]],'' an [[Alternate Universe]] take on [[Superman]] that uses various Silver Age tropes to tell the story of a Superman who is nearing the end of his life. Also notable for the scene in which [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Superman punches out the Tyrant Sun.]]
* [[Ultimate Marvel]], featuring updated versions of all the various Marvel characters without years of continuity, and with artists and writers being given free rein to change the characters in any way they wanted, or retell classic storylines in new ways (such as Carnage being responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy for example).
* [[Ultimate Marvel]], featuring updated versions of all the various Marvel characters without years of continuity, and with artists and writers being given free rein to change the characters in any way they wanted, or retell classic storylines in new ways (such as Carnage being responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy for example).
* ''[[Invincible (Comic Book)|Invincible]]'', probably the most successful indie hero of recent years. It starts with [[Silver Age]] four-color heroics, subverts them with [[Plot Twist]] reveals, reconstructs them in a post-modern setting, as well as having a great deal of incredibly graphic violence showing the effects of superheroes not holding back against their opponents.
* ''[[Invincible]]'', probably the most successful indie hero of recent years. It starts with [[Silver Age]] four-color heroics, subverts them with [[Plot Twist]] reveals, reconstructs them in a post-modern setting, as well as having a great deal of incredibly graphic violence showing the effects of superheroes not holding back against their opponents.
* ''[[Civil War (Comic Book)|Civil War]]'', which combined a long-term change to the status quo of the [[Marvel Universe]] with an attempt at large-scale political commentary.
* ''[[Civil War (Comic Book)|Civil War]]'', which combined a long-term change to the status quo of the [[Marvel Universe]] with an attempt at large-scale political commentary.
* The entire Marvel Comics Siege [[Metaplot|macro crisis]] was a [[Deconstructor Fleet]] of the entire Marvel Comics universe, the [[Reed Richards Is Useless]] trope, and the idea of the superhero in general:
* The entire Marvel Comics Siege [[Metaplot|macro crisis]] was a [[Deconstructor Fleet]] of the entire Marvel Comics universe, the [[Reed Richards Is Useless]] trope, and the idea of the superhero in general:
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** The Secret arcs show what exactly being a ''real'' spy means and all the details it entails.
** The Secret arcs show what exactly being a ''real'' spy means and all the details it entails.
** And finally, Siege shows the reconstruction, revealing that after all this, heroes are still heroes no matter what.
** And finally, Siege shows the reconstruction, revealing that after all this, heroes are still heroes no matter what.
* ''[[Fifty Two|52]]'' from [[DC Comics]], which was the first full-length narrative comic to ship on a weekly basis for [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin]]
* ''[[Fifty Two|52]]'' from [[DC Comics]], which was the first full-length narrative comic to ship on a weekly basis for [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]]


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