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Why did comics become "dark" in the 1980s?

Comics always have been contain and showed violence. However, it is noticeably clear that there were increase of "darkness " darkness in terms of containing more violence theme and showing more graphic image of the crime and fight seen. There were reason for comic became more darker. Comics are reflection of society, and it is easy to see what was issues in that time when you look at comics during certain period. In the 1980's there were increase of crime rates and violence. Also, drugs were biggest social problems, at that time. Even some of the people who wrote comics were on drugs too. Therefore, to appeal, and get agreements from the public readers, they had to deal with what was going on at that time period. Which was violence seen of crime, and drugs. One of the great example might be the Batmen: the Dark Knight Returns. Ever character, even including Batman become more hardcore, and serious. For example; in earlier Batman stories, even bad guys like joker had somewhat mild-looking appearance and not as terrifying. However, in the Batman Dark Knight Returns, everyone became more freaky and edgy. This was the response of the new readers in the 1980's knowing that comics need to be darker to get readers interest and demand .

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