Portal:Comics

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Introduction

Comics are a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically takes the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate dialogue, narration, sound effects, or other information. There is no consensus among theorists and historians on a definition of comics; some emphasize the combination of images and text, some sequentiality or other image relations, and others historical aspects such as mass reproduction or the use of recurring characters. Cartooning and other forms of illustration are the most common means of image-making in comics. Photo comics is a form that uses photographic images. Common forms include comic strips, editorial and gag cartoons, and comic books. Since the late 20th century, bound volumes such as graphic novels, comic albums, and tankōbon have become increasingly common, along with webcomics as well as scientific/medical comics.

The English term comics is used as a singular noun when it refers to the medium itself (e.g. "Comics is a visual art form."), but becomes plural when referring to works collectively (e.g. "Comics are popular reading material."). (Full article...)

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Louis Riel is a 2003 historical biography in comics by Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown (pictured). It deals with the relationship of Métis rebel leader Louis Riel with the newly established Canadian government. It begins shortly before the 1869 Red River Rebellion, and ends with Riel's 1885 hanging for high treason. The book explores the possibly schizophrenic aspect of Riel's personality—he believed God had named him Prophet of the New World, destined to lead the Métis people to freedom. The work is noted for its emotional disengagement, its intentionally flat dialogue, and a minimalist drawing style inspired by Harold Gray's comic strip Little Orphan Annie. The lengthy, hand-lettered appendix provides insight on Brown's creative process and biases, and highlights where he changed historical facts to create a more engaging story. It was the first comic book to receive a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. It was critically well received, and won three Harvey Awards. The original serialization (1999–2003) sold poorly, but the book version was a surprise bestseller. Its success played a major part in gaining shelf space for serious graphic novels in mainstream North American bookstores.

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Anniversaries for November 9

birth of Sandra Hope, American comics artist
1921: birth of Stan Drake, American comics artist best known as co-creator of The Heart of Juliet Jones and as artist on Blondie
1950: birth of Ken Landgraf, American comic book artist and commercial illustrator
1951: first publication of TV Comic, a British comic which would last for 1696 issues
1951: birth of Bill Mantlo, American comic book writer with Marvel Comics
1961: birth of Jack Herman, American games designer and comics writer, co-creator of the super-hero RPG Villains and Vigilantes
1961: birth of Mort Todd, American writer and media entrepreneur, best known as an editor-in-chief of Cracked magazine
1964: debut of The Wizard of Id, long running American comic strip by Brant Parker and Johnny Hart
1967: first appearance of Valérian and Laureline, French science fiction comic series by Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre Christin
1977: birth of Chris Burnham, comic book artist
1979: birth of Kelsey Shannon, comic book artist
1993: death of Ross Andru, American comic book artist best known as co-creator of Metal Men and Punisher
2011: death of Terry Willers, British-Irish cartoonist and comics artist

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General images

The following are images from various comics-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1During panels at comic book conventions, the audience is sometimes invited to line up and ask questions using a dedicated microphone. (from Comic book convention)
Image 2Comic Con crowds in 2011 as seen from a helicopter (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 3The French comic Les Pieds Nickelés (1954 book cover): an early 20th-century forerunner of the modern Franco-Belgian comic (from Bande dessinée)
Image 4BD artist Mœbius (2008), who achieved international renown through Métal Hurlant (from Bande dessinée)
Image 5A page by Rodolphe Töpffer, whose work is considered influential in shaping the comics form. (from History of comics)
Image 6Chōjū-giga (12th century), traditionally attributed to a monk-artist Kakuyū (Toba Sōjo) (from History of manga)
Image 7Japanese wood block illustration from 19th century (from History of manga)
Image 8Close Hergé collaborator and magazine contributor Bob de Moor (from Bande dessinée)
Image 9Convention crowd outside of Golden Hall in 1982 (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 10Sequential depictions on Trajan's Column in Rome, Italy (from History of comics)
Image 11Cover of Illustrated Chips in 1896 featuring the first appearance of the long-running comic strip of the tramps Weary Willie and Tired Tim. (from British comics)
Image 12Cover to 27 December 1884 edition of Ally Sloper's Half Holiday. (from British comics)
Image 13Comic-Con crowd inside the second floor of the convention center in 2011 waiting for the exhibition hall to open (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 14Image of bathers from the Hokusai manga (from History of manga)
Image 15Phoenix Fan Fusion's 2017 convention in Phoenix, Arizona (from Comic book convention)
Image 16A Fallout Cosplayer photographed at a Comic Con in a Fallout Themed area (from Comic book convention)
Image 17The San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con in 2013 (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 18Hokusai Manga (early 19th century) (from History of manga)

Did you know (auto-generated) - load new batch

... that while Marvel Comics originally designated the main reality depicted in the MCU multiverse as Earth-199999, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness established it as Earth-616?
... that the USC Trojans team that won the 2022 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship had been compared to the Marvel Comics' Avengers?
... that until the 1970s, most shōjo manga (Japanese girls' comics) were written by men?
... that the writer of the 2022 comic book miniseries Poison Ivy, starring the eponymous Batman villain, described it as a "love story" that features "plant-based body horror"?
... that The Steranko History of Comics has been described as the first piece of cultural analysis on American comic books?
... that the first time The Witcher universe was portrayed outside the novels was in the 1993–1995 Polish comic book series of the same name?
... that open depictions of sexual acts were a defining trait of early works of josei manga ('women's comics')?
... that the 1992 comic book storyline "Man and Wolf", in which Captain America is transformed into a werewolf, has been described as "one of the most bizarre moments of the core Marvel Universe"?

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Credit: Mirka

Alan Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell. Frequently described as the best graphic novel writer in history, he has been called "one of the most important British writers of the last fifty years".

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More did you know...

...that Irving Phillips's comic strip The Strange World of Mr. Mum is cited as paving the way for later titles like The Far Side and Bizarro?

...that Jason Little was nominated for a Harvey Award and an Ignatz Award for his creation of the comic book Jack's Luck Runs Out?

...that Czechoslovak communist censors banned publishing of the comic album Muriel a andělé?

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Selected quote

[t]he standards of comics include inventiveness, originality, and consistency. The best comics really are great artworks — great by the intrinsic standards of that art form.

— David Carrier

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Featured content

This is a list of recognized content, updated weekly by JL-Bot (talk · contribs) (typically on Saturdays). There is no need to edit the list yourself. If an article is missing from the list, make sure it is tagged (e.g. {{WikiProject Comics}}) or categorized correctly and wait for the next update. See WP:RECOG for configuration options.