The Seeds of Transformation

By the late 1960s, the Golden Age model showed signs of strain. Youth counterculture demanded more adult themes and experimental approaches. The commercial success of established series sometimes stifled innovation. Creators chafed against editorial restrictions and fought for greater creative control.

These tensions would explode in the revolutionary changes of the 1970s, as BD underwent radical transformation. However, the Golden Age established foundations that would support these changes. Technical standards, publication infrastructure, audience expectations, and cultural legitimacy achieved during this period provided platforms for subsequent experimentation.