Portal:Comics

Introduction

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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Superman is a 1978 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Richard Donner directed the film, which stars Christopher Reeve as Superman, as well as Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Valerie Perrine and Ned Beatty. The film depicts the origin of Superman, including his infancy as Kal-El of Krypton and his youthful years in the rural town of Smallville. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered attitude in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane, while battling the villainous Lex Luthor. The film was conceived in 1973 by Ilya Salkind. Principal photography started in March 1977 and ended in October 1978. Tensions rose between Donner and the producers, and a decision was made to stop filming Superman II and finish the first film. Donner had already shot 75% of the planned sequel, eventually giving birth to Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Superman was released with critical acclaim and financial success. Reviewers noted parallels between the film's depiction of Superman and Jesus and particularly praised Reeve's performance. The film's legacy helped to foster the establishment of the superhero film genre.

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Anniversaries for October 4

1907: birth of Erkki Tanttu, Finnish comic artist, creator of the long-running comic strip Rymy-Eetu
1917: birth of Bill Wright, American comic artist, known for his work on Disney comics
1927: birth of Oto Reisinger, Croatian cartoonist and caricaturist, best known for Štefekove pustolovin
1931: debut of Dick Tracy, long runninbg American comic strip by Chester Gould
1948: first daily appearance of Pogo, American comic strip created by Walt Kelly
1952: birth of Todd Smith, American comic artist who worked on comics for DC, Marvel, Claypool, and Archie
1955: birth of Chris Warner (comics), comic book artist
1974: birth of Derek Fridolfs, comic book artist and writer
1978: birth of Jesus Aburtov, colorist for Marvel Comics
1983: death of Dino Battaglia, Italian comic artist

More October anniversaries / All Anniversaries...

General images

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

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

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

... that pages of Lewis Hancox's graphic novel were displayed in The Cartoon Museum of London?
... that Fabrizio Dori wants his comic book Il dio vagabondo to bring attention to an ancient Greek view of death?
... that the author of the comic book Timeless Voyage was the leader of a UFO religion?
... that Steve Englehart wrote the Captain America comic book storyline "Secret Empire" as an allegory for the Watergate scandal?
... that the Cook Opera House transitioned from opera to vaudeville to cinema before ending as a venue for strippers and dirty comics?
... that a teacher of medieval literature and comic books writes the blog Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle?
... 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?

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Credit: Fox Feature Syndicate

The Junior comic books were published by Fox Feature Syndicate. This is the cover of the last issue published in July 1948, likely drawn by Al Feldstein.

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More did you know...

...that the planned Marvel Comics superhero film, X-Men: First Class is intended to take place during the 1960s and will parallel the history of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X?

...that T-Mobile myTouch 4G spokesperson Carly Foulkes has been cast in the FX Network television series Powers?

...that 24-hour comics have become so popular that there's now a holiday for it on April 24?

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A couple of months after I published this story, it occurred to me that a Superman as a hero rather than as a villain might make a great comic strip character in the vein of Tarzan, only more super and sensational than that great character. Joe and I drew it up as a comic book.

— Jerry Siegel

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