In this ongoing series we take a look at and breakdown commonly used comic book terminology. A comic book is a magazine that contains stories told in pictures. An omnibus is usually the entirety or a significant part of a run, which differentiates it from a trade. In some cases, first issues have become phenomenally valuable due to a brief glossary of comic book terminology vol. A brief glossary of comic book terminology sciencedirect. Some of the terminology used in book collecting can be arcane, indeed. When considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value.
How to read rare book condition descriptions book collecting guide. Foxing has been variously attributed to a microorganism, iron particles in the paper, a high acid content in the paper, or a fungus reacting to metallic residue or other conditions of the paper. A cover considered by collectors to be highly desirable because. Splash page when a panel consists of the entire page. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile. Writing about comics and graphic novels duke university. A good copy has a significant amount of damage possibly including a book length crease, large spine split, cover or centerfold detached, major tears, significant markings on cover, water damage, discoloration, brittleness. Pictures of tanned and foxed pages in collectible books. With those evolutions come new terms and definitions as they relate to trading cards. A cover of a comic book where a painting was used for the artwork instead of a line drawing. Field size refers to the distance between the camera and the subject in addition to the focal length of the lens. Lcs showing customers how diamond sent them their batman 89s. Comic originally a comic strip that appeared in newspapaers redefined to include periodical comic book magazines in the 1930s floppies physical comic books as opposed to trade paperbacks or digital comics graphic novel a comic book presented in a higher quality book style format trade paperbacks a collection of comic books stories reprinted in a book format usually recapturing.
Numbered certain pops have a specific number on them, usually the freddy funkos or event pops. A loose term implying collectible books rather than used books. Familiarize pedigree comic book collections know the different types of comics and publication dates be acquainted with common terms used in comic book collecting terms and definitions in comic book grading if there is one important thing you should know immediately, then comic book grading comes first. Griffin griffin is a recent graduate of the university of wash ington graduate school of library and information sci ence, seattle, wa 98195. There is certainly a lot of artistic creativity that goes into the process of making word balloons and sound effects look like what they sound like, but the letterer also needs to think about how the text will detract. The subjects often stylized, blurred, repeated or broken down into basic forms so that it. Graphic novel is a term whose definition is hard to pin down, but usually refers to selfcontained, book length form. List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu. Information and translations of comic in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on. There are collectors who focus on collecting comic books of a certain figure or of a certain writer or illustrator. As defined by scott mccloud in understanding comics, comics are juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence. Reading copy a comic that is in fair to good condition and is often used for research.
Panel a panel is one of the boxes on the page of a comic book. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books, it has a major following around the world today and is. A series is also sometimes called a title, which refers to the entire series, not a single, discrete unit. Collectors or former dealers whom now work grading comic books for cgc. If youre interested in collecting comic artwork, or have some original art and dont know what youve found, then. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or. Art definitions and terminology the collection shop. It is a term commonly used by comic book collectors. They typically have smooth edges, but can also have jagged or irregular edges.
The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile book collecting can be easy and inexpensive. Familiarize pedigree comic book collections know the different types of comics and publication dates be acquainted with common terms used in comic book collecting terms and definitions in comic book grading if there is one important thing you should know immediately, then. It combines a comic event that maybe span a total of 7 comic books into 1 book. Meaning intentionally funny, raising mirth is first recorded 1791, and comedic 1630s has since picked up the older sense of the word.
Log into facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. It can refer to an issue, but it usually refers to a standalone story comic run. The discussion of the various systems of comic book production has been put together from numerous pieces of evidence, including but not limited to comicsindustry lore, statements by comics creators, letter columns, and the analysis of production materials, including scripts, original art, coloring guides, and color separations. Submitted by joann from denver, co, usa on may 21 1999. Several attempts have been made to formalise and define the terminology of. It combines a large amount of comic books into one thick book. Those are magazine formats with 22 pages of story and 15 or so pages of advertising. Information and translations of comic book collecting in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. In comic strips, generally the only unit of encapsulation is the panel. When talking to comic book fans it can sometimes feel like they are speaking another language. A comic book can stand on its own or be a part of a series. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions. Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained and illustrated.
The discussion of the various systems of comicbook production has been put together from numerous pieces of evidence, including but not limited to comicsindustry lore, statements by comics creators, letter columns, and the analysis of production materials, including scripts, original art, coloring guides, and color separations. Funko pop jargon and terminology guide nerd upgraded. In about 2030 years from now, will comic book collecting still be hot. These comics are read right to left, opposed to left to right like western comics. A work whose authenticity or authorship is in doubt. Understanding comics vocabulary flashcards quizlet.
Definition of comic book collecting in the definitions. It stands for trade paperback, or sometimes just trade. Comic book definition, a magazine with one or more comic strips. Sheldon book the large cent book, first published in 1949 as early american cents and reissued in 1958 as penny whimsy by w. A series of such publications, often forming a single sustained narrative. It can vary in amount of issues it combines, but not exceed roughly 12 comic books. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. The emblem of the cca is a white stamp in the upper right hand corner of comics dated after february 1955. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. A term indicating a given book is in the same condition as when originally published. Comic books, like most subjects, use many specialized terms. With those evolutions come new terms and definitions as they relate to trading cards even manufacturers have specific terms for certain cards like refractor topps, prizm panini. Comic book collecting buy sell trade has 28,467 members.
If youre interested in collecting comic artwork, or have some original art and dont know what youve found, then youre in the right place. This glossary of comic book terms aims to help those unfamiliar with the comic book lingo so that they can join in the conversation. Comic terms defined comic book lingo collecting comics. A comic book letterer provides the text and sound effects in a comic book.
Slang words for a nerd, geek, dork urban thesaurus the. Here, too, there is value to the first comic book that a particular writer or illustrator wrote or painted, as well to the second and third. Awards cartoonists collecting publishers sales speech balloon. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books, it has a major. Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained click to get an appraisal. Shot types cs, cu, ecu, els, fs, ls, mcu, ms comic book. Even with a guidebook, though, you will still need to trust your own impressions, since there are no set rules for how different art styles create meaning.
Additional or supplementary material generally found at the end of a book. All of these people collaborate together to make a. Trades are the term for series comics, not for standalone stories which would be graphic novel. Abbreviation for rockets blast comic collector, one of the first and most prominent adzines instrumental in developing the early comic book market. Comic collection tips from a real comic book man wired. Definition of comic book collecting in the dictionary. It contains a complete az of indepth descriptions on every aspect of antique and modern book collecting including many descriptive texts on book manufacture. Hopefully, our glossary will help you unravel some of the jargon used by book collectors and book sellers.
The term shot is typically found in filmtelevision terminology to describe the field size of a single moment in a scene. Two page spread when the comic book art spills over into two pages. Probably the most well known of all reference materials on the subject of book anatomy and book collecting terminology, known by many as the table of contents or the howto bible. Comic book definition and meaning collins english dictionary. A floppy is a generalized term for a short floppy comic. Comic book definition is a magazine containing sequences of comic strips usually hyphenated in attributive use. It can all get a bit confusing for someone new to comic books. It is the key to understanding the hobby of comic book collecting, or any hobby that involves collecting.
Balloons are frequently rounded, but can take many shapes including rectangular. Many have intrinsic collecting value, but this has become less preva lent in recent years. In comic book terms, what is the difference between the. Volume refers to the larger text, so for instance, when dc rolled out the new 52, that effectively ended all volumes even cutting some stories off abruptly and then starting over with a new volume and beginning at one. A floppy comic is also known as an american comic book. Cartooning is the process by which a comic artist removes extraneous details in order to focus our attention on a specific character trait, theme, or idea. Publishers and booksellers have built a specialized vocabulary over the years to consistently describe to perspective customers what to expect to see when the book is delivered. Tolkien when considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value. The terminology of film studies is often useful for describing the basic features of an image, since you can talk about long shots, close ups, or. Graphic novel is a term whose definition is hard to pin down, but usually refers to selfcontained, booklength form. Many collectors regard a comic book signed by its creator as valuable.
Glossary of sports cards terms and definitions it seems as if the hobby of collecting sports cards and entertainment trading cards is one that continues to evolve yearafteryear. Each one is used strategically to convey meaning, emotion, and hierarchy of detail. A publication relating one or more narrative episodes through a sequence of panels featuring art and text, often bound with staples and constituting a single issue in a series. Familiarizing the terms used in comics is essential. Comic book definition of comic book by the free dictionary. A comic book that is from a widely known original owner collection.
The following are terms that are commonly used in the comic book industry. In 2011, phillumenist steven smith earned a place in the guinness book of world records for his collection of 1,054,221 matchbox labels from more than countries. Comics terminology this document is free for noncommercial educational use. Here is a glossary of comic book terms, that are regularly used in comic book media and. Jul, 2011 in 2011, phillumenist steven smith earned a place in the guinness book of world records for his collection of 1,054,221 matchbox labels from more than countries. 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. 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. The term run can refer to multiple things in big 2 comics.
Glossary of comic terms find common terms and definitions related to. Book collecting is the collecting of books, including seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever books are of interest to a given collector. The term foxing is used to denote the reddish or tannish spots, speckles, or bloches that discolor the paper of some older books. Text containers balloons aka speech balloons, bubbles the objects that are used to contain the dialogue that the characters in the comic speak. A comic book or pamphlet is the traditional periodical form most people are familiar with. Comic has major defects but is still intact and readable. To translate this into comic books is to imagine that the panel is a camera and it is shooting. A guide to book conditions the hobbit first edition by j. Omnibus is a collection of a large amount of comic books. Comic book definition of comic book by merriamwebster. It pays to become familiar with the basic descriptive terms used by used and rare booksellers to communicate a particular books condition. Miscellaneous art terminology abstract a 20th century style of painting in which nonrepresentational lines, colors, shapes, and forms replace accurate visual depiction of objects, landscape, and figures. The key here is to add the text in such a manner that makes it easy for the reader to follow the story.