The history of the origin and development of comics in the USA

The article provides a historical overview of such a literary and artistic phenomenon as a comic book in the United States of America. The most popular definition of a comic book in special literature to date has been characterized. The history of the appearance of the comic book and its individual artistic features are examined in detail. Conclusions have been drawn about the origin of comics in Europe and their gradual spread to the United States. The most significant works of European authors (R. Töpfer, W. Busch) and the first American authors (R. Outcolt, W. Mackay and G. Herriman) are considered. It is shown how, after the first stages of development, a specific, purely American comic book genre began to form - superhero comics (superheroics) and its influence on the entire further history of these works in America. The periodization of the history of the comic book by "centuries," characteristic features of comics of each century, the most iconic or typical works of each of these periods, is considered. In addition, the works of the most iconic and important authors and artists of the superhero comic book genre are considered and the development of other comic book genres, as well as the influence of the state and the specific historical situation on the subject of works, are characterized. The article is based on scientific and popular science literature on the topic of research.