From the rise and fall of radio comics to the revival of audio comics in the digital context

a historical perspective

Abstract

The article analyzes the historical trajectory of audio comics, from the radio comics of the 1920s to the 1950s to the contemporary digital audio comics. It begins by examining how comic strips were adapted for radio, creating dramatized listening experiences with strong emotional and commercial appeal. The decline of the format is attributed to the rise of television, the editorial autonomy of printed comics, and post-war moral pressures. In the 21st century, with the popularization of podcasts and digital platforms, we observe the resurgence of exclusively audio narratives inspired by comics, now detached from the traditional logic of broadcasting. Based on this context, the study proposes an initial typology of audio comics, divided into three categories: direct adaptations of comic books, dramatized novelizations, and original audio creations. Finally, the article discusses whether audio comics will establish themselves as a mass narrative form, as in the past, or remain confined to a niche within the ecosystem of cyberculture. Drawing on the Long Tail theory (Anderson, 2006), we suggest that the sustainability of the format depends on the convergence of aesthetic innovation, platform accessibility, and audience engagement.