Portal:Comics

Introduction

Little Sammy Sneeze comic strip,
published 1904-1906
by Winsor McCay

Comics is 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 single 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 are 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 and comic albums have become increasingly common, along with webcomics.

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 as a plural when referring to works collectively (e.g. "Comics are popular reading material."). (Full article...)

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Batman is a 1989 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton (pictured) in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, and Jack Palance. The film, in which Batman deals with the rise of a costumed criminal known as "The Joker", is the first installment of Warner Bros.' Batman film series. Numerous A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman. Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated a high salary, a portion of the box office profits, and his shooting schedule. Batman was a critical and financial success, earning over $400 million in box office totals. The film received several Saturn Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination, and won an Academy Award. It also inspired the Emmy Award-winning Batman: The Animated Series, paving the way for the DC Animated Universe, and has influenced Hollywood's modern marketing and development techniques of the superhero film genre.

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Anniversaries for October 26

Unknown Year: birth of Paris Cullins, American comic book artist
1764: death of William Hogarth, English cartoonist who is often credited as one of the pioneers of comics
1931: birth of Larry Lieber, American comic book artist and writer, known as co-creator of Thor and Iron Man
1941: birth of Bob de Groot, Belgian comics author best known for Clifton, Léonard and Robin Dubois
1945: birth of Enrique Breccia, Argentine comic book artist and writer
1949: birth of Glynis Oliver (aka Glynis Wein), American artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry
1962: birth of Jack Morelli, American comic book letterer and author, known for designing many comic book logos
1970: debut of Doonesbury, American comic strip created by Garry Trudeau
1970: debut of Momma, American comic strip by Mel Lazarus
1970: birth of Terry Dodson, American comic book artist
1985: first issue of Hoot, British comic book which ran for one year and 53 issues only
2002: first appearance of Bokura ga Ita, Japanese manga created by Yuuki Obata

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General images

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

Image 1Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul at the 2013 Comic-Con International, with Cranston holding his realistic Walter White mask. (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 2During 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 3Convention crowd outside of Golden Hall in 1982 (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 4Hokusai Manga (early 19th century) (from History of manga)
Image 5Phoenix Fan Fusion's 2017 convention in Phoenix (from Comic book convention)
Image 6Comic-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 7Illegal building wraps on and around Petco Park in during Comic-Con 2024. (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 8Gas Lamp Quarter signage in San Diego, California (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 9Image of bathers from the Hokusai manga (from History of manga)
Image 10Comic Con crowds in 2011 as seen from a helicopter (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 11BD artist Mœbius (2008), who achieved international fame through Métal Hurlant (from Bande dessinée)
Image 12Close Hergé-collaborator and magazine contributor Bob de Moor (from Bande dessinée)
Image 13The San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con in 2013 (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 14The French comic Les Pieds Nickelés (1954 book cover): an early 20th-century forerunner of the modern Franco-Belgian comic (from Bande dessinée)
Image 15Japanese wood block illustration from 19th century (from History of manga)
Image 16A Fallout Cosplayer photographed at a Comic Con in a Fallout Themed area (from Comic book convention)
Image 17A page by Rodolphe Töpffer, whose work is considered influential in shaping the comics form. (from History of comics)
Image 18Todd Gloria with representatives of Comic-Con International 2026 during an announcement that the event is staying in San Diego through 2030. (from San Diego Comic-Con)
Image 19Cover 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 20Chōjū-giga (12th century), traditionally attributed to a monk-artist Kakuyū (Toba Sōjo) (from History of manga)
Image 21Sequential depictions on Trajan's Column in Rome, Italy (from History of comics)
Image 22Cover to 27 December 1884 edition of Ally Sloper's Half Holiday. (from British comics)

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

... that a rights dispute meant that two different actors played Quicksilver in two competing film franchises at the same time?
... that the 2003 graphic novel The Life Eaters, presenting an occult-driven, hypothetical Axis victory in World War II, has been discussed in the context of its portrayal of The Holocaust?
... that Tina Leung dressed as her comic book alter ego when accepting an award for the House of Slay?
... that the author of the comic book Timeless Voyage was the leader of a UFO religion?
... that a popular Marvel villain appeared in the Transformers and Doctor Who franchises before joining the Marvel Universe?
... that, after the US government asked Marvel Comics to make a comic about how drugs are dangerous, the Comics Code Authority refused to approve it because it was about drugs?
... that a teacher of medieval literature and comic books writes the blog Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle?
... that a 1948 U.S. Supreme Court decision helped to protect comic books from government regulation and censorship?

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Credit: Julian Tysoe

Dave Gibbons, artist and designer of the Watchmen comic book series.

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More did you know...

...that while Al Jaffee (pictured) created the comics character Ziggy Pig, it was Stan Lee who named him?

...that after 25 years of aging in real time, John Constantine is getting younger?

...that The Punisher can be distinguished from other beat 'em up games by its frequent use of firearms?

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You know, I distrust people who 'read' comics ... you don't read a comic book. You look at a comic book. While you're looking at a comic, sure, you read the words; as well, you learn to look at the panels in a certain order, in a certain way ... if you start out to 'read' a comic book, you're starting out with the wrong mind-set.

— Samuel R. Delany

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