First popularized in the United States, comic books are also called comic magazines. Generally, comic books produce drawn sequential and opposing panels representing individual scenes. Each scene often includes descriptive prose and written narratives. When placed together, the panels form a complete story or a portion of a serial.
The earliest comic strips, (which later gave birth to comic books), displayed dialogue in bubbles or balloons above characters’ heads. As an art form, the designs can be quite intricate. For example, text, dialogue, personalities, color and imagery all enhance part of a storyline. Over time, these storylines also distinguish eras, artists, genres and themes.
People who collect comic books are known as pannapictagraphist.
The term “comic book” comes from the first book sold as a book reprinted of humorous comic strips. Despite their name, comic books are not all humorous in tone and feature stories in all genres.
One of the earliest known comics printed was The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. The 1842 hardcover comic book became the first known American comic book.
In 1896, a comic-book magazine was published in the United States featuring The Yellow Kid in a sequence titled “McFadden’s Row of Flats.” The 196-page book featured black and white print and measured 5×7 inches. It sold for 50 cents.
In 1933, a comic book, Famous Funnies, appeared in the United States. Many believe the work to be the first real comic book. The reprinting of earlier newspaper comic strips established many of the story-telling devices used in comics."
Japan makes up the largest Comic Book Market! Their sales average 6-7 BILLION per year, followed by USA and Canada with a little over 1 Billion.
There are so many types of comics all over the world, from Magna to graphic novels, to alternative to Underground Comix and everything in between. Comic books range from light hearted kid friendly to dark and gritty.
HOW TO CELEBRATE COMIC BOOK DAY!
- pull out the game stations!! Lots of games on X-box and Wii that involve comic book characters!
- movie marathon. Lots of comic book and graphic novel movies to choose from depending on your taste!
- old TV shows like Batman and Wonder Woman are still showed on local TV stations!
- pull out the pen and paper and try and create your own comic book!
- crafts! Lots of super hero and comic book inspired crafts for all ages and skill types!
- games: i know we have so many comic book themed board games in our house!
- read those old comic books! When we moved I had to lug a giant bin of comic books from NC to ID because they were my husbands. Pull them out and remember why you fell in love with them in the first place!
- Host a comic Book Party!! Have everyone dress up as their favorite comic book hero. Decorate comic book themed cupcakes , have a photo opportunity and have some movies running in the background!
