Conflict has always been at the heart of storytelling in comic books. Sometimes conflicts came from an author’s imagination, but often they were based on historical events. During the Cold War—which coincided with the Silver Age of comics—superheroes not only fought World War II villains but also confronted Cold War enemies. Comic book adventures were set in the Space Race, reflected fear of atomic weapons, and addressed rising opposition to the Cold War. These stories sometimes acted as propaganda, promoting American nationalism. Themes like intergalactic adventures and villains wielding atomic power symbolized the fears and hopes of young people. Comic books from this era mirrored the tensions of the time and shaped public perception through entertaining narratives.
