Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books, it has a major. It is the key to understanding the hobby of comic book collecting, or any hobby that. The term run can refer to multiple things in big 2 comics. Restoration is the treatment that returns a comic book to a known or assumed state through the addition of nonoriginal material for aesthetic enhancement. This page is about the meanings of the acronymabbreviationshorthand cbca in the community field in general and in the associations terminology in particular. The ultimate upside to getting your comics cgc graded is that it greatly enhances the value of your comics if they are in really good condition. The storfolio can be shelved in a book case, or carried in your back pack to safely transport your comics to your favorite comic book. The term comics in this context does not refer to comic strips such as peanuts or dilbert. For the newcomer it also provides a dictionary of comic book terminology. It seems that comic collector live may have improved significantly. Comic collection tips from a real comic book man wired. He grabs a super magnet and short circuits the captain america lmd. Visit website below to find your local comic book shop.
It is a term commonly used by comic book collectors. Comics collection familiarizing the terms used in comics is essential. The mid 1970s to early 1980s are sometimes called bronze age, but for the most part they also fit in current era comic holders. Your typical comic book top ten type list will profile specific interesting or rare comic books to collect. They typically have smooth edges, but can also have jagged or irregular edges. Free collector newsletter want list with instant email notifications. Balloons are frequently rounded, but can take many shapes including rectangular. Awards cartoonists collecting publishers sales speech balloon. A loose term implying collectible books rather than used books.
Collectors or former dealers whom now work grading comic books for cgc. Im so impressed with mine i intend to get a few for presents for other comic book collecting friends. How to read rare book condition descriptions book collecting guide. I am new to collecting comics and had some question about grading when it comes to the condition of the spine. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or. In this ongoing series we take a look at and breakdown commonly used comic book terminology. Acid free and archival comic book collecting supplies. The emblem of the cca is a white stamp in the upper right hand corner of comics dated after february 1955. From our humble beginnings, we have grown to the largest, most complete comic book price guide with well over 1,000,000 comics in our database. We carry a wide variety of comic books, sports cards, nonsports cards, rare cut signatures, toys, vintage items, americana, tobacco cards, and so much more.
Platinum 18971937, golden 193855, silver 195669, bronze 197079, and modern 1980present. The first panel of a comic book story, usually larger than other panels and usually containing the title and credits of the story. Introduction to comics collecting comics aficionados have been maintaining and preserving comic book collections for almost as long as the medium has existed. Lcs showing customers how diamond sent them their batman 89s. Pgx also offers a comparable service and directly competes with cgc in the comic book grading market. Here, too, there is value to the first comic book that a particular writer or illustrator wrote or painted, as well to the second and third. Some comic book stores even have authorized vendors who can send your books in for you. Some would have its use restricted only to longform narratives, while at the other extreme are people who use it as a synonym for comics or comic book. From the undisputed authority on comic book collecting comes the most complete record of existing comic books from the 1800s to the present indexed, illustrated, and priced according to condition. Splash page when a panel consists of the entire page. Note that the marketability of any comic book can change based on time, the popularity of the character or characters, collector demand, etc. Starting a comic book collection concept comic vine.
An apparent grade is applied to any comic book that has. It begins with builtin data on over 875,000 comics, including notes, creator credits, and current pricingsas well as historical price graphsto give you complete information about the comics you own, and to take the work out of cataloguing your own collection. Coin guides coin price guides, tips, free pdf coin books. The discussion of the various systems of comicbook 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. If some sections may be old news to some of you veterans, there is price guides, coin checklists, terminology glossary and. An introduction to collecting comic books liveabout. Comic books 101 a brief history and overviewcomic book terms. It combines a comic event that maybe span a total of 7 comic books into 1 book.
A glossary of comic book terminology creator resource. If youre interested in collecting comic artwork, or have some original art and dont know what youve found, then. Glossary of comic terms find common terms and definitions related to collecting. If you believe that i am missing any terms feel free to let me know and i will. As far as i am concerned though, the highest value is what each comic book is worth personally to each owner. Choosing the best comic collecting software for you. As with any hobby, collecting comic books can be expensive.
Probably the most well known of all reference materials on the subject of book anatomy and book collecting terminology, known by many as the table of contents or the howto bible. A series is also sometimes called a title, which refers to the entire series, not a single, discrete unit. At a time when physical media is struggling to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world, new readers are flocking to the oldschool world of comics. A floppy is a generalized term for a short floppy comic. A cover considered by collectors to be highly desirable. A series of such publications, often forming a single sustained narrative. These comics are read right to left, opposed to left to right like western comics. Values of a comic book collection can range from a few dollars more than face value to 6 figures.
We have values for any marvel, dc, image, idw, darkhorse, or dell comic book that is in your collection. Current modern age comic book supplies for comics from the mid 1970s to today. I am going to take it up a notch and give you my top collecting themes, each of which will lead you to new ideas for comics to add to your collection. Text containers balloons aka speech balloons, bubbles the objects that are used to contain the dialogue that the characters in the comic speak. Comics price guide was the first online price guide for comic books back in 1995. This is the perfect addition to any collectors library whether theyre a seasoned veteran or a newcomer.
There are collectors who focus on collecting comic books of a certain figure or of a certain writer or illustrator. Here is a glossary of comic book terms, that are regularly used in comic book media and. Panel a panel is one of the boxes on the page of a comic book. The most popular comic book characters are major protagonists in several series running at the same time, and typically exist in the same universe as other characters and comic book series. The lexicon of comics has its own intricate stock of vocabularies that you need to acquaint yourself if you want to go far as a pannapictagraphist, or even a scholar in panelology. A condition where the left edge of the comic book curves toward the front or back, caused by folding back each page as the comic was read. Comic books have been published for more than a century, and collectors categorize them into five ages. Although 6 figures can be extremely rare, on occasion you may see a particular comic book valued at several hundred thousand dollars.
In about 2030 years from now, will comic book collecting still be hot. List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu. It is an unequaled transportable comic book storage device. Current, modern, or bronze age comic book collecting supplies. In comic strips, generally the only unit of encapsulation is the panel. Our coin guides are for all levels of coin collector and enthusiast. A work whose authenticity or authorship is in doubt. A list of comics you have at your lcs that you pick up on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. We carry a full line of bcw brand comic book collector supplies. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous, and in fact its dramatic seriousness varies widely. Additional or supplementary material generally found at the end of a book.
Log into facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. It contains a complete az of indepth descriptions on every aspect of antique and modern book collecting including many descriptive texts on book manufacture. The intricacy of comic book collecting language there is a special language that has developed in every field of interest. The shop pulls the comics for you and keeps them in a box, so you make sure you have all your subscriptions. Comic book certification service cbcs was started by professional comic book hobbyists. A comic book is a magazine or book containing sequential art in the form of a narrative. The following are terms that are commonly used in the comic book industry. Comic book definition of comic book by the free dictionary. This gives you the control as to how and when you sell your comic book collection. Comic terms defined comic book lingo collecting comics. With ebay, you dont have to choose sides, because we have plenty of any option. 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.
Comics terminology this document is free for noncommercial educational use. Uptodate market reports and a new, fully illustrated, comicstyle introduction. Sometimes, a trade paperback may collect stories that are not. Backing boards should be replaced every 3 to 5 years to remove any contaminants that may have gathered while the comics were in storage. Buying comic books is one of the first steps in collecting and enjoying this art form. The premier online comics price guide free comic book values. Many collectors regard a comic book signed by its creator as valuable. A term indicating a given book is in the same condition as when originally published. For example, if youre a fan of wonder woman, shes recently starred in the series wonder woman, justice league, supermanwonder woman, smallville. A floppy comic is also known as an american comic book. This list of terms breaks down the different roles within a comic book. Comic book collection software pc free downloads and. In the uk, the term comic book is used to refer to american comic books by their readers and collectors, while the general populace would mainly consider a comic book a hardcover book collecting comics stories.
The best place for the individual to sell is through an auction site, such as ebay. The storfolio will hold up to 15 bagged and boarded comic books, or up to 20 loose comic books. Rarity, title, issue, and condition determine value, although often one of those variables is far more important than the others. All you need is an account with them and youre good to go. The analogous term in the united kingdom is a comic, short for comic paper or comic magazine.
It can refer to an issue, but it usually refers to a standalone story comic run. Be careful, though, as the more whistles you add to your auction, the more it costs. Splash page a splash panel that takes up the entire page. Standard current size comics are 634 wide x 1012 tall. Coin collecting used to be called the hobby of kings and queens, but now all of us can find rare and valuable currency in our own pocket change. Most comic book lovers pledge allegiance to either dc comicsfeaturing that famous alien from krypton and aquaman, among many othersor marvel comics, which gave us the webslinging spiderman, the new mutants and patriotic captain america. Similarly, all of the formats referenced can be called comics or comic books. Comicbase professional edition is powered with all the tools a collector needs to manage their comics like a pro. It can vary in amount of issues it combines, but not exceed roughly 12 comic books. Definition of comic book collecting in the definitions. Interest may stem from nostalgia, an appreciation of the artwork, consideration of comics as a financial investment, or. Journalismnews reporting that is done in comic form. Much of the terminology in english is under dispute, so this page will list and describe the most common terms used in comics.
Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. Publishers and booksellers have built a specialized vocabulary over the years to consistently describe to perspective customers what to expect to see when the book is delivered. Sometimes, your local comic book store might have a sale on for some really old comics. Comic books for kids top ten places for free or cheap comics. Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained and illustrated. As with bags, choose boards that are acid free and insert them in the bag with the comic slowly, with the shiny side facing the comic book. It combines a large amount of comic books into one thick book. Several attempts have been made to formalise and define the terminology of comics by authors such as will eisner, scott mccloud, r. I have bought some comics that were classified as nm, or even ones that are brand new out of the box at the lcs, that have what appears to be white linesfadingstress marks not sure how to describe it on the spine. Omnibus is a collection of a large amount of comic books. A publication relating one or more narrative episodes through a sequence of panels featuring art and text, often bound with staples and constituting a single issue in a series. Two page spread when the comic book art spills over into two pages. Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained click to get an appraisal.
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