[Site Map]

[Site Updates]

[GrowlersWorld 2]

[Growler's Linked In]

 
   

[Growler on Twitter]

[Growler's Facebook]

[Growler's YouTube]

[Growler's MySpace]

Google
Web This Site
Random Thoughts Watching Dragon Film Reviews Growler's Violin GrowlersWorld TV Photographs
Superhero Comic Books Cool Movies Growler's Hidden Anime 365 Days of Creativity Learning Mandarin Chinese
 

 

 

Find out more about london2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superhero Publishing Explored! - Learn about comic books...  

INDEX

<Introductions...|Action and Adventure...>

I don't pretend to know everything about superhero publishing, but what I do know I will share with you in this column.

Celebrating the superhero fiction found in comic books and graphic novels, old and new, highlighting favourite characters, creators and showing you the beauty of the form!

So here goes.

Rawle Austin presents...

Superheroes? Absolutely!

The superhero comic book format that you see today originated in America in the early 20th century and has been adapted worldwide in countries such as Japan, France, China and the UK to name a few.

It has been used to tell modern myths and stories ever since.

Though comic books can be read and enjoyed by all ages and backgrounds, here in the UK there is still a tendency to look down on comic books as throw away or children’s literature.

This is frustrating as many excellent comic book writers are being denied a potentially huge audience.

Of course there are comic books written just for children but I am not addressing those here. I’m talking about quality stories written for all ages.

Click here to check out Justice League of America: Worlds Collide v. 6 (JLA) By Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes (DC Comics)

   

Sensibly, comic book publishers have started to include ratings guides on the covers of comic books so as to advise on content.

This is widely done for films and computer/console games.

As I said in my last column there are many badly written comic books out there because some writers use the ratings guide as a crutch and simply pen a bland story.

Flat characterization with a few strong words and images are used rather than stretching the imagination to create a memorable experience.

For excellent examples of good comic book writing, look out for anything by writers Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Christopher Priest, Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns, Mark Millar and Dwayne McDuffie.

There are many more great authors including Grant Morrison and Neil Gaiman.

The first comic book I read, enjoyed and subsequently collected was a Marvel Comics’ title called The Avengers.

It was initially created in the early 1960's to have all of Marvel's most popular superhero characters in one book acting as a team.

Click here to check out the Astonishing X-Men Volume 1: Gifted TPB by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday (Marvel Comics)

   

I discovered this title in 1985 and Roger Stern was the author who propelled the stories to the highest levels.

He made me believe in those sci-fi and fantasy adventures he crafted.

He breathed life into the characters and made you care.

The penciller was the late John Buscema who was truly a master artist.

His hand drawn characters had real expressions and the scenes contained pure drama.

The inker was Tom Palmer who complemented Buscema's work beautifully.

The issue (number 257) was lettered by Jim Novak and coloured by Christie Scheele and was the second part of a classic story.

Writers and artists stay on a title for a certain number of issues, called a run, before a new creative team takes over.

Stern's run started from issue number 227 and he was joined by Buscema to create an extraordinary run which lasted some 30 issues.

Click here to check out The Essential Avengers: Among Us Walks a Goliath v. 2 (Marvel Comics) by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Don Heck

   

This was from issue numbers 256 to 285 and are a cracking read. Look out for them.

Ok, enough talk! Here’s a guide to the forms of comic books you will come across.

Standard monthly issues (or monthlies) are usually 22 pages of story and art, not including advertisements.

Each issue is usually a chapter of a larger tale told over many issues or occasionally a complete short story.

They are famous for their shock; cliffhanger endings and 4 week wait for the next chapter.

Monthlies are predominantly ongoing series but there are many, separate limited series containing 2 to 12 issues.

These contain stories for new characters or established ones and are mainly vehicles for the best creative talent.

The majority of new issues (imports) arrive every Thursday at comic book stores in the U.K. (Wednesdays in the U.S) delivered mainly by Diamond Distributors.

The page count can increase for a special edition. Once the readers’ main choice, monthlies are slowly being caught up in popularity by trade paperbacks.

Click here to check out the Essential Avengers Volume 3 TPB (Marvel Comics) by Roy Thomas, Don Heck and John Buscema

 

Soft cover, trade paperbacks (or Trades) are collections of individual comic book issues (with no advertisements) reprinted and bound in book format.

Sometimes called graphic novels, they are gaining popularity on single issues.

Containing a satisfying, complete story, you don’t have to wait between chapters, it can be stored on a bookshelf and is increasingly available in hard cover.

The majority of new issues (imports) arrive every Thursday at comic book stores in the U.K. (Wednesdays in the U.S) delivered mainly by Diamond Distributors.

The page count can increase for a special edition.

Once the readers’ main choice, they are slowly being caught up by trade paperbacks.

Soft cover, trade paperbacks (or Trades) are collections of individual comic book issues (with no advertisements) reprinted and bound in book format. Sometimes called graphic novels, they are gaining popularity on single issues.

Containing a satisfying, complete story, you don’t have to wait between chapters, it can be stored on a bookshelf and is increasingly available in hard cover.

Click here to check out Invincible: Family Matters v. 1 (Image Comics) by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker

As more people discover comic books the world over, the style will adapt and change for the better.

 

We have been seeing that in recent years as more Japanese artists are working on American comic book titles and some artists are blending the Japanese style to their own.

This cross-pollination will increase between various different countries for the benefit of all.

See you next time for more, on comic books!

 

<Introductions...|Action and Adventure...>

 

 

[Back to Top]

 

 

 

 

         
    Connect with and Follow GrowlersWorldH    
   
   
   
 

 

 
 

[GrowlersWorld Business]

[GrowlersWorld Top 20 Charts: Site Statistics]

[Privacy Policy, Disclaimers, Small Print and Legal Stuff]

[Contact]

[Home Page]

   
         
   
Like what you see? Leave a Comment...
 

 

GrowlersWorld & © 2003 - 2010 Rawle Austin. All Rights Reserved. Made in Great Britain.