Others again define it as a book with a squarebound spine, even if it is a collection of short strips. This includes panel descriptions, number of panels per page, the dialogue, captions, sound effects aka sfx, and any other notes that will help the artist effectively bring the story to life. This can include, but is not limited to, comic book art published and unpublished, convention sketches, pinups, color guides, newspaper dailies and sundays, card art, etc. A distinct segment of the comic, containing a combination of image and text in endless variety. Glossary of grading terms bend when part of a comic is curved, interrupting the flat, smooth cover surface. It is recommended to read comic writing tips for beginners before exploring the comic terminology. A comic book cover overlaid with a ridged plastic sheet such that the special artwork underneath appears to move when the cover is tilted at different angles perpendicular to the ridges. What you might not be aware of, however, is that there are. Glossary of comics terminology hey kids comics wiki fandom.
There are photo examples of the terms but please keep in mind that book characteristics and conditions vary. Familiarizing the terms used in comics is essential. Because many fans may be unfamiliar with these terms, this article gives an overview of the most important terms used on this wiki. Visual glossary of terms used in comic book grading this is by far the largest glossary of comic book gra.
If you plan to start writing comics, it is important to have information about comic terminology. However, comic book repair is considered as a defect. This glossary of comic book terms aims to help those unfamiliar with the comic book lingo so that they can join in the conversation. A floppy comic is also known as an american comic book. Comics as a medium has a specialized terminology, some of which is also used on this wiki. A glossary in my, very likely fruitless, efforts to expand the market and fandom of comic books beyond their large and small screen adaptations im going to wind up using a lot of comic book slang terms this is because shorthand is the way that english functions in conversational language. Posted in, editorials tagged back issue, back wall, comic book gutter, comic book rating, comic book rating all ages, comic book rating mature readers, comic book store, comic book supplies, comic shop locator, crossover, glossary of terms, graphic novel definition, graphic novels, independent comics, one shot comic book. An international glossary of comic terms infoplease. Those comics that do, especially cgc graded books, can attain the highest possible market value that is out there. Text containers balloons aka speech balloons, bubbles the objects that are used to contain the dialogue that the characters in the comic speak. Abrasion an area of a cover or spine has been roughened by rubbing against a rough surface. When talking to comic book fans it can sometimes feel like they are speaking another language. As defined by scott mccloud in understanding comics, comics are juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information andor to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer. After the grading scale section theres a glossary list of common terms used for defects and other grading criteria you should know too.
At long last, we present to you the glossary of comic book terms. Some would have its use restricted only to longform narratives, while at the other extreme are people who use it as a synonym for comics or comic book. Writer the writer is responsible for the script that the artist penciller, inker, colourist, letterer, etc. Several attempts have been made to formalise and define the terminology of comics by authors such as will eisner, scott mccloud, r. During this period other famous superheroes were introduced. A defect of a comic book caused by improper storage that results in uneven pages and the bowing of the spine. May 22, 2018 a glossary of comic book terminology for this weeks how to get into comics, i wanted to cover something that can confuse a lot of people. Panel refers to one block or square on a comic strip or on a page in a comic book. So here we are, providing definitions for some comics terms. It can all get a bit confusing for someone new to comic books. A glossary of basic comics terms we know comics can be confusing, and part of clarifying it is defining the vernacular for new readers. Feb 11, 2016 this is a basic glossary of comics terms. They typically have smooth edges, but can also have jagged or irregular edges. A comic book is a magazine or book containing sequential art in the form of a narrative.
Visual glossary of terms used in comic book grading. Comic as a singular noun is sometimes used to refer to individual comics periodicals, what are known in north america as comic books. Home rare books book collecting guide abebooks glossary of book terms. It is sometimes applied to works that fit this description even though they are serialized in traditional comic book format. Comic books, like most subjects, use many specialized terms. This is a glossary of terms related to comic books. The term comic or comic book or comic title itself can ambiguously refer to various formats in which comics.
Transitions, part 2 welcome to a new installment of comic book glossary. Pages in category comics terminology the following 68 pages are in this category, out of 68 total. Terms and definitions in comic book grading if there is one important thing you should know immediately, then comic book grading comes first. The cca was the comic book equivalent of the mpaa rating. Our glossary was designed to help visitors to our website understand unfamiliar book related terms. Additionally, reasonable efforts to redeem this content in particular, carefully removing a sticker covering codes are not considered to reduce the grade we would assign the book.
Search the glossary of book terms to unravel the puzzling language you may have found in the description of your book. With the creation and introduction of superman, began the super hero comic book movement. Variant covers are a large part of comic book collecting with each cover giving readers something new to collect. A comic book issue that is published only once with no plans of a series. Jul, 20 buying and selling comic books is more complicated than one would expect. We know comics can be confusing, and part of clarifying it is defining the vernacular for new readers. If youre a fan of reading comics and want to ascend to the next step of geekdom by reading about. Feel prepared to enter the shop and talk comics with this guide to comics terminology. Aug 30, 2008 posted in, editorials tagged back issue, back wall, comic book gutter, comic book rating, comic book rating all ages, comic book rating mature readers, comic book store, comic book supplies, comic shop locator, crossover, glossary of terms, graphic novel definition, graphic novels, independent comics, one shot comic book. Much of the terminology in english is under dispute, so this page will list and describe the most common terms used in comics. A oneissue only comic, also referred to as standalone issues. Visual glossary of terms used in comic book grading comic. List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu 26 jul i put together the following list of terms, for the use of my students at indiana university, bloomington and at the university of louisville, over the more than a decade that i have been teaching courses on comics.
Most copies of youngblood, west coast avengers, and x will never do as well as a highly sought after spiderman, batman, or other mainstream comic book. Several different processes that reduce acidity in paper. All of these people collaborate together to make a. For example, a panel depicting a mysterious woman looking at a blank paper might be. Terms and conditions serves as both a digestible guide to the doc and a visual history of comics. A more complete guide to book sizes, book conditions and binding terms can be found through the aforementioned links. The term is commonly used to disassociate works from the juvenile or humorous connotations of the terms comics and comic book, implying that the work is more serious, mature, or literary than traditional comics. Bends will not show distinct lines see also creasefold. Its important to note that comics are a medium of storytelling, not a genre of story. A glossary of comic book terminology creator resource.
The creators project each page is a loving tribute to a comic book. This is part 1 in a crash course on comic book lingo that will help you navigate the comic book store or that pile of old comics in the garage. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous, and in fact its dramatic seriousness varies widely. This includes panel descriptions, number of panels per page. Comic are visual art presented in a sequential manner. This glossary of comic book terms can help those unfamiliar with comic book terms so that they can join in the comic book conversation. Griffin griffin is a recent graduate of the university of wash ington graduate school of library and information sci ence, seattle, wa 98195.
In englishspeaking countries, manga is a generic term for all graphic novels and comic books originally published in japan. This glossary offers quick definitions of terms used in discussing the marvel cinematic universe and this wiki. The term comic or comic book or comic title itself can ambiguously refer to various formats in which comics are published. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various book sizes, a guide to condition ratings, and the most common abbreviations used in the world of.
Glossary of comics terminology buffyverse wiki fandom. Graphic novel is a term whose definition is hard to pin down, but usually refers to selfcontained, book length form. Platinum age comics published from approximately 19001938. Balloons are frequently rounded, but can take many shapes including rectangular. This list of terms breaks down the different roles within a comic book, commonly referred to as the creative team.
Glossary of comic terminology comic are visual art presented in a sequential manner. Buying and selling comic books is more complicated than one would expect. In englishspeaking countries, manga is a generic term for all graphic novels and comic books originally. Visual glossary of terms used in comic grading and description abraded corner corner area is rough. Comic book dealer a person who buys and sells comics. The comicraft glossary of lettering terms ever wondered what to call those little lines of weathering on the bottom of sound effects.
A complete glossary of comic book condition abbreviations. Roles within the comic book publication process all of these people work as a team to create a comic book. Depending on who you talk to these covers can be seen as a positive or a negative to the comic book industry, with. It is the key to understanding the hobby of comic book collecting, or any hobby that involves collecting valuables and antiquity, and dealing with people in the comics industry with success. Otaku a term used to describe diehard fans of anime and manga outside of japan. Similarly, all of the formats referenced can be called comics or comic books. A comic book can stand on its own or be a part of a series. The buyer needs to know exactly what condition each book is in, as the slightest imperfection can have a major impact on value you might be familiar with general grading terms like mint mt, very good vg, and poor pr. The buyer needs to know exactly what condition each book is in, as the slightest imperfection can have a major impact on value. Letter col or letter column a feature in a comic book that prints and sometimes responds to letters written by its readers. A glossary of comic book terms this entry was posted on june 5, 2012, in information and tagged art, books, colorist, comics, drawing, inker, nerd, penciler.
List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu. Below youll find a list of a number of different terms that are broken up into different categories to help things make more sense. Comic book repair the term concerns about that process of restoring, mending, or repairing a loose staple or a tear of a comic using a tape, glue, or other similar materials. As a result of the search i came up with the following site. Greetings, loyal cubers, and welcome to the index for comic book glossary. A series is also sometimes called a title, which refers to the entire series, not a single, discrete unit. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous, and. Weve done a comics glossary before on video, but for those of you who prefer print, weve got you covered. A comic book where the cover is bound with glue to the interior, resulting in a square spine.
This includes panel descriptions, number of panels per page, the dialogue, captions. Still others have used the term to distance their work from the negative connotations the terms comic or comic book have for the public, or to give their work an elevated air. Including batman, wonder woman, flash, green lantern and captain america. Short for trade paperback although some trades are also available in hardcover, a trade is a reprinting of anywhere from 412 issues of a monthly comic book, though six is the standard. This page gives you the basic comic book grading definitions and 10 point scale, and a glossary of grading terms lingo. Mini comic a comic or fanzine that is smaller than the conventional comic book size. Comic books have a greater variety of units of encapsulation than comic strips, including the panel, the page, the spread, and inset. Scott mccloud in his book, understanding comics, describes closure as a phenomenon of observing the parts but perceiving the whole. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various book sizes, a guide to condition ratings, and the most common abbreviations used in the world of books. Panels offer a different experience than simply reading text. Creative roles within a comic book creation all of these people collaborate together to make a comic book.
Welcome to a new installment of comic book glossary. Whats the deal with volumes, and what even is a trade. Polypropalene a type of plastic used in the manufacture of comic book bags. A glossary of comic book terms more than you want to. This will only happen if there is a market for your comic though.
The fold and stapled or glued edge of a comic book. Now all you have to do is check the comicraft glossary of lettering terms from air to zigzag tail, theyre all here. The side of a comic book opposite the opening edge. Original comic art a broad term used to describe a piece of art that is related to comic books. A brief glossary of comic book terminology sciencedirect. You might be familiar with general grading terms like mint mt, very good vg, and poor pr. Well supplement this with more indepth editions going forward. May include extreme edge of corner or cover area around corner. It can also be used for the reader to interpret what the ending of the comic means by the use of the panels. A cover of a comic book where a painting was used for the artwork instead of a line drawing.
A comic book or pamphlet is the traditional periodical form most people are familiar with. Comic books have a greater variety of units of encapsulation than comic strips, including the panel, the page, the spread, and. Panel a panel is one of the boxes on the page of a comic book. The comicraft glossary of lettering terms balloon tales.
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