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Does Not Illustrate: Comic Book Time

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Rubber_Lotus Since: May, 2014
#1: Aug 30th 2025 at 2:28:29 PM

So I see that the image for Comic-Book Time (like a lot of page images on the site now... was this a recent policy change?) needs to have its size updated. Which I think is a good opportunity to mention, I've been looking to replace it for at least a year now...

The current image gets points for historical weight and everything, but I feel that out of context, all it really does is serve as an example of Art Evolution on Supes. If the background buildings were more distinguishable as different time periods I'd call it a decent illustration of this trope, but they're not. [sad]

Still, I notice this trope is widespread enough that it has its own DCU subpage now, so the current image (or a resizing thereof) can go there for those who'll really miss it. And in this day and age, this seems like the kind of trope that gets lampshaded in a hundred different series, I'd like to open-floor candidates for a new main-pager.

I have two suggestions myself, both from manga. They're both heavily text-reliant (and color-free to boot), so I know there are likely better candidates out there, but they're mainly to get the ball rolling.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ourantime.png

[up] From Ouran High School Host Club, Ch. 38.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/100gftime.png

[up] From The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, Ch. 157.

StalkerGamer That's All, Folks! Since: Dec, 2021 Relationship Status: Love is an open door
L4uritt4rius Little Miss Aroace from Some place next to nowhere Since: Apr, 2025 Relationship Status: What is this thing you call love?
Little Miss Aroace
#3: Aug 30th 2025 at 6:14:51 PM

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bvsummerspec2025_1.jpg

One could argue that Archie doesn't age, and he is a comic book character so it could work on that merit? Otherwise the manga suggestions are cool too.

Several fingers; several pies
RadioContactLine Not The Kind of Worm You Wanna Meet from the land of Mormons and Swig (Utah, U.S.A) (Life not ruined yet) Relationship Status: love is a deadly lazer
Not The Kind of Worm You Wanna Meet
#4: Aug 30th 2025 at 6:27:07 PM

[up] How are you supposed to glean "this character doesn't age throughout their comic book appearances" from that?

Ready to rock?
CanuckMcDuck1 PEPSIMAN from Japan Since: Sep, 2023 Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
PEPSIMAN
#5: Aug 30th 2025 at 6:41:18 PM

Keep until better image suggested. The current image has flaws, but the suggestions aren't better. The OP images are glorified quotes, while 3 has next to nothing to do with the trope.

Do not mess with creatures which you do not understand.
L4uritt4rius Little Miss Aroace from Some place next to nowhere Since: Apr, 2025 Relationship Status: What is this thing you call love?
Little Miss Aroace
#6: Aug 30th 2025 at 6:45:50 PM

Fair point - I suppose if you're not a reader of Archie comics then it wouldn't be a natural link - the '80 years of Archie Comics' references the fact that in the 80 years of making the comic, Archie hasn't aged - there were a few comics out there that changed his art style, but this in itself is not wholly indicative of aging either way. wild mass guess

Several fingers; several pies
Lumberwood Outdated af account from Wouldn't you like to know? Since: Aug, 2018 Relationship Status: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Outdated af account
#7: Aug 30th 2025 at 6:59:38 PM

[tdown] to all suggestions thus far. Unless a better suggestion is made, I'm in favor of keeping current. Here's a size upgrade to comply with current page image standards: https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/brianstelfreeze_supes.jpg

Edited by Lumberwood on Aug 30th 2025 at 7:00:39 AM

Sincerely, Lumberwood
AnotherOnlinePersona Killed by Chills from Harlequin Forest Since: Dec, 2022
Killed by Chills
#8: Aug 30th 2025 at 7:45:00 PM

[tup] 7 (upgrade of current)

taotruths Live Jet Reaction (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
Live Jet Reaction
#9: Aug 30th 2025 at 8:14:57 PM

7/upgrade[tup]

AlexHoskins Since: Oct, 2014
#11: Aug 30th 2025 at 9:00:34 PM

[tup] Definitely 7 (upgraded)

Visit my wiki: (hero.fandom.com)
MurlocAggroB from the second-most ridiculous province of Canada Since: May, 2015
TheUnsquished Filthy Casual from A youngun between two oldies Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Filthy Casual
#13: Aug 30th 2025 at 11:36:31 PM

[up]

(Annoyed grunt)
SuperNate Super Martin from Seattle, baby! Since: May, 2025 Relationship Status: At the center of everything that happens to me
#14: Aug 31st 2025 at 1:11:20 AM

[up][up] Great! This is much better quality than the original image! I like that! [tup]

Edited by SuperNate on Aug 31st 2025 at 1:12:15 AM

I am the guardian of superheroes. I am the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible SuperNate!
TabletTeixeira Since: Feb, 2019
#15: Aug 31st 2025 at 7:21:00 AM

For me Superman is good. At least I don't have other better idea.

Rubber_Lotus Since: May, 2014
#16: Sep 1st 2025 at 9:53:59 PM

Alright, I see a consensus building around all this... But I'd like to make one last pitch.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/conantime.png

This is a Detective Conan omake done by the original author - maybe the guiltiest of this trope in all Shonen manga. I've been meaning to translate it for awhile, only got it typeset yesterday...

Is it good enough for consideration?

Lumberwood Outdated af account from Wouldn't you like to know? Since: Aug, 2018 Relationship Status: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Outdated af account
#17: Sep 1st 2025 at 10:29:28 PM

I don't know, would this be easily readable at wikisize? Especially with all that dialogue in it.

Sincerely, Lumberwood
VampireBuddha Calendar enthusiast from Ireland (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
Calendar enthusiast
#18: Sep 2nd 2025 at 9:24:00 AM

7/upgrade is the best suggestion so far.

Maybe we could add year numbers to each Superman to make it a bit clearer?

Ukrainian Red Cross
Kroetski Flessenkoning van Stiens from my Bottle-Deposit-Shed (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
VampireBuddha Calendar enthusiast from Ireland (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
Calendar enthusiast
#22: Sep 3rd 2025 at 10:28:16 AM

I made a version of 7 with (approximate) years. The original picture is from 2011, so I stuck that on the last Superman and put the rest at integer decades earlier. I can change up the colours if anybody has any suggestions.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/evolutionofsuperman.jpg

Edited by Synchronicity on Sep 4th 2025 at 10:43:14 AM

Ukrainian Red Cross
Kroetski Flessenkoning van Stiens from my Bottle-Deposit-Shed (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Flessenkoning van Stiens
#23: Sep 3rd 2025 at 11:17:03 AM

[up][tup]

Edited by Kroetski on Sep 3rd 2025 at 8:18:01 PM

There's too many men, too many people, making too many problems
Vilui Since: May, 2009
#24: Sep 3rd 2025 at 7:17:15 PM

It doesn't need the years, and they add clutter.

moxeden actually okay-ish from a place of comfort Since: Sep, 2023 Relationship Status: love is a deadly lazer
actually okay-ish
#25: Sep 6th 2025 at 2:09:38 AM

[tup] 7/upgrade

Good morning, and good night, I hardly ever sleep. With what I have, what else do you think I'd ever need?

Total posts: 31
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