The 1970s in Australia was a time of turbulence and change. Public protest against Australia's role in the Vietnam War spilled over into debates about the nation's political and social life.

As the radical politics of the 1970s waned, Australia's underground comix lost their audience, forcing artists and writers to find other creative outlets. By the end of the decade, comix had truly gone 'underground', but they had proved that the medium was capable of showcasing work aimed at an adult readership.

During the 1970s, specialised science-fiction/fantasy bookstores and comic-book shops had begun to appear across Australia. These outlets exposed Australian readers to new trends in overseas comics, and some began publishing their own 'alternative' comics, featuring work by a new generation of writers and artists.

As the 1980s progressed, it became clear that this new wave of Australian comic artists had less to say about Australian politics or culture, aligning themselves instead with the international outlook of the worldwide small-press comic community.