Comic book vocabulary last updated by mat inferiorego elfring on feb 11, 2010 04. List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu. Information and translations of comic book collecting in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The top, foreedge and foot of the book are coloured with a decorative stain. Glossary of book collecting terms book collecting tips. Comic books have been published for more than a century, and collectors categorize them into five ages. 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. A comic book series is defined by the name on the cover. Youve given up hopes that your old, dustcollecting comic book collection will make your grandchild a millionaire one day and just want to cash out and move on.
These copies will usually have the words book club edition printed on the bottom right corner of the front flap of the dust wrapper. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection. Comic has major defects but is still intact and readable. An omnibus is usually the entirety or a significant part of a run, which differentiates it from a trade. Solicitations a block of text, generally accompanied with cover images. Set email alerts so you never miss an auction lot again. When you read comic books, you soar into the sky with your favorite comic book hero and fight outrageous battles against doc ock or lex luthor. One of two book collecting guides written by allen and patricia ahearn. A comic book can stand on its own or be a part of a series. More of the best top bronze age comics to invest in for 2012 part 2. Collecting comic books wont make you rich, nor will it make you respectable.
Platinum 18971937, golden 193855, silver 195669, bronze 197079, and modern 1980present. These include the terms to describe and define the genre itself, the language of comics, filmic language, and even the language of the gaze, a broad theoretical. Interest may stem from nostalgia, an appreciation of the artwork, consideration of comics as a financial investment, or. The most recent editions are book collecting 2000 and collected books. Log into facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. It was the comic book that started me on my path to collecting, he says. This is a glossary of terms related to comic books. Comic books, like most subjects, use many specialized terms. An earlier, shorter version of it was published in 2006 on the website of the national association of comic art educators. Not only did the store have the usual range of comics and comic related material, the proprietors socko and tiger fostered a community atmosphere where. Creatorowned this means the creator owns the work that they create. Comic collection tips from a real comic book man wired.
Revisiting the 90s speculative boom that nearly ended the. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions. A book that is less then 3 inches in width and length. Miniatures can be as small as half an inch with elaborate details such as raised bands and gilt. Unraveling the confusion behind five commonly used terms in book collecting. Variants variant cover it is a different cover drawn by different artist and used for the same comic. Gocollect can now put you in touch with highly respected buyers and sellers in the comic book industry. This is used more on modern comics than older ones. This also means that the publisher doesnt own the rights to the characters or story but just the right to publish it. Oct 30, 20 it was the comic book that started me on my path to collecting, he says. It can refer to an issue, but it usually refers to a standalone story comic run. Collecting can be as fun and profitable as you want to make it. Griffin griffin is a recent graduate of the university of wash ington graduate school of library and information sci ence, seattle, wa 98195.
Topics covered range from the state of the art form and its leading practitioners. Comics terminology this document is free for noncommercial educational use. A brief glossary of comic book terminology sciencedirect. 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. Help with basic book collecting terminology bibliology. 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. A series is also sometimes called a title, which refers to the entire series, not a single, discrete unit. I began collecting comics when i was only seven years of age. My return to comics eventually lead me to a wonderful comic specialty shop on staten island called comic book jones. Learn how to enter the fascinating world of collecting comic books. Part two of the top bronze age comics to invest in for 2012. Many have intrinsic collecting value, but this has become less preva lent in recent years. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved.
Though technically the first edition of a book may go through additional printings, book collectors consider only the first printing of the first edition to be a true first edition. May 09, 20 despite the comic book show you see on tv nowadays, they will not make you famous. Keep track of your comic book collection online with full comic details, cover images, and current market values. Trades are the term for series comics, not for standalone stories which would be graphic novel. Dictionary of american biography, a useful 20 volume reference, especially when collecting manuscripts and autographs and attempting to learn about the authors. As with any hobby, collecting comic books can be expensive. If you like the new avengers issue 25, chances are youll also enjoy other the new avengers issues as well. Usually includes overlybusty women, placed in roles under superpowered roidraging men with deep voices and capes. Interest may stem from nostalgia, an appreciation of the artwork, consideration of comics as a financial investment, or even just the thrill of the chase. Collecting every issue of action comics is a monumental task, but collecting only issues featuring a secondary, backup hero is much easier. Collecting a selection of point of view columns including several that have never before been published by comic book writer, essayist, and historian mark evanier.
Revisiting the 90s speculative boom that nearly ended the comic book industry. Feb 11, 2010 comic book vocabulary last updated by mat inferiorego elfring on feb 11, 2010 04. Although 6 figures can be extremely rare, on occasion you may see a particular comic book valued at several hundred thousand dollars. As far as i am concerned though, the highest value is what each comic book is worth personally to each owner. Starting a comic book collection concept comic vine. The comic book vocabulary is a controlled vocabulary of terms for use with data that describes comic books and comic book collections. It is a work in progress and part of a larger research project exploring the organization and description of data about comic books. Despite the comic book show you see on tv nowadays, they will not make you famous. A survey of current scholarly indexes demonstrates that researchers in the fields of history, sociology, and literature are discovering that studying comic books provides unique and valuable insights on 20thcentury culture. I hope this advice is useful for anyone who buys comic books on ebay especially to those of you in the uk who buy from overseas. Once youve found a comic book you like, there are a couple natural ways to progress your collection. Book club edition bc, bce a separate edition of a book usually printed especially for a book club such as the book of the month club or the literary guild. The term run can refer to multiple things in big 2 comics. These are the most actively sold comics over the past couple months.
The emblem of the cca is a white stamp in the upper right hand corner of comics dated after february 1955. Values of a comic book collection can range from a few dollars more than face value to 6 figures. Just like soap operas, every single noun in the book counts as a device plot, including the characters, the love interests, and all other types of personalities. Comic book collecting is not the same as reading comic books. The top, foreedge and foot of the book are colored with a decorative stain. The creases are taken into consideration when a comic book is being graded or analyzed.
Lcs showing customers how diamond sent them their batman 89s. Comic book collecting buy sell trade public group facebook. A loose term implying collectable books rather than used books. We have created this series of web pages as a basic guide to starting a collection and understanding the terminology of booksellers. So you want to start a book collection but not sure where to start. If you truly dont love the artwork and literature that goes behind each one of the issues that were made, dont start collecting. The most successful creatorowned comic at the moment is the walking dead.
A loose term implying collectible books rather than used books. Comic book collecting from aquaman to zatanna mitch maglio. He prefers epubs or pdfs if you want to send him one. Sometimes, your local comic book store might have a sale on for some really old comics. Definition of comic book collecting in the definitions. These comics are read right to left, opposed to left to right like western comics. Stuff you can wear and use tshirts, mugs, hats, hoodies and more unknown comic books apparel filter by. If youre wondering what the best comic investments to make or need a little help choosing investment comics, this hub details exactly why these certain comics will grow.
Books created this small were usually adaptations of larger books for easier transport and whimsy. Sign up for all the latest collecting news, expert blogs and auction lots from around the world. How to sell your comic book collection consumerist. It came crashing into an industry that was unprepared for it but recognized that it was time to make hay while the sun was shining. The comic collecting craze of the early nineties was a text book case of bubble economics. Several attempts have been made to formalise and define the terminology of comics by authors such as will eisner, scott mccloud, r. Introduction to comics collecting comics aficionados have been maintaining and preserving comic book collections for almost as long as the medium has existed.
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. Rarity, title, issue, and condition determine value, although often one of those variables is far more important than the others. 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. Splash page when a panel consists of the entire page. Comic book collecting buy sell trade has 28,442 members. Have you ever met a word that you understood in context, only to wonder later.
A comic book or pamphlet is the traditional periodical form most people are familiar with. If youre wondering what the best comic investments to make or need a little help choosing investment comics, this hub details exactly why these certain comics will grow in value and demand in the next few years. All writers and artists in major comic books can be accurately referred to as bonerinducers, since 99% of what they do with the female characters is designed to get readers hard. Abaa glossary of book terms antiquarian booksellers. Comic book collecting is not the same as comic book reading. Its superman comics and comic books are one of the most pervasive and influential media forms of 20thcentury popular culture. Much of the terminology in english is under dispute, so this page will list and describe the most common terms used in comics. Collecting comic books tips and ebay advice part 1 of 2.
When you collect comics, you may not only have to spend a whole lot more money than you did when you. Comics aficionados have been maintaining and preserving comic book collections for almost as long as the medium has existed. Comic reading friends and comic book store employees often love to talk about their hobby, so they can. An earlier, shorter version of it was published in. In august 2008, comicbook dealer metropolis collectibles inc. With the wide selection of comics available, it can be hard to find a starting point on your own.
This was back in 1964 at the very height of what collectors call the silver age of comics. In some cases, first issues have become phenomenally valuable due to a brief glossary of comic book terminology vol. A forum for beginner questions about collecting comics grading buying selling pricing rarity packing shipping whatever. Panel a panel is one of the boxes on the page of a comic book. Two page spread when the comic book art spills over into two pages.
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