The Basics: |
Comics are released on a weekly basis. Think of it like new movies: they always premier on Fridays.
But for comics, new comics come on Wednesdays*. You might see it referred to as New Comic Book Day, or NCBD, for short.
But for comics, new comics come on Wednesdays*. You might see it referred to as New Comic Book Day, or NCBD, for short.
*as always, the industry would not exist without it's complications, and due to distribution agreements, DC comics are generally released on Tuesdays. Contact your local comic shop for more info on what day they make their DC comics available each week!
When we say "new comics," we are talking about single issues. Most comics are released as part of a series, traditionally starting with issue #1 and going forward from there. You can also pick up comics as Volumes*, being collected groupings of comics in a particular series. Usually, standard sized comic book Volumes consist of four-six single comic issues.
*More complications! See the FAQ below on the difference between the TWO versions of Volume in comics terminology!
While there may be some variation, any given comic series will usually come out on a monthly basis--roughly 3-6 weeks between issues on average.
*More complications! See the FAQ below on the difference between the TWO versions of Volume in comics terminology!
While there may be some variation, any given comic series will usually come out on a monthly basis--roughly 3-6 weeks between issues on average.
Comics are put out by a large variety publishers, and feature more topics than you could possibly imagine. While superhero comics (called "Cape Comics" in the community) are what you might traditionally think of when you think of comics, there's actually just as much variety in comic books as there is in TV shows and movies.
With this in mind, there are two main comic publishers who cover, mainly, Cape Comics: Marvel and DC. Most people are at least a little familiar with those two companies these days, but we'll cover more on them in a bit, in case you aren't sure. For now, just keep in mind that there are MANY comic book publishers, who publish an expansive variety of story topics in their comics.
With this in mind, there are two main comic publishers who cover, mainly, Cape Comics: Marvel and DC. Most people are at least a little familiar with those two companies these days, but we'll cover more on them in a bit, in case you aren't sure. For now, just keep in mind that there are MANY comic book publishers, who publish an expansive variety of story topics in their comics.
You can pick up weekly comic book releases from your Local Comic Book Shop (or, LCS), which you can find by a quick online search for that same term. Many LCSs sell more than strictly comic books, such as manga, action figures and collectibles like statues, playing cards and table top gaming materials, and more. Some comic shops might call themselves Hobby Shops, Collector's Shops, or something similar along those lines.
Click here to use the online LCS-Locator and find a shop near you!
Click here to use the online LCS-Locator and find a shop near you!
The pricing of comic book issues depends on many factors, including publisher, page count, and cover artist, to name a few. But, I feel fairly safe to say as of today, in April of 2022, NEW single comic issues can be anything between $3.00 and $12.00 USD.
That being said, an LCS can sell comics for whatever price they want. Many shops sell older comic books at a discount, and you can even often find shops that have "dollar comics" boxes, where they sell comics for just one dollar. These issues are usually back-issues, meaning they are comics released in the past, and the shop likely has a surplus of them that didn't sell when they first came out.
That being said, an LCS can sell comics for whatever price they want. Many shops sell older comic books at a discount, and you can even often find shops that have "dollar comics" boxes, where they sell comics for just one dollar. These issues are usually back-issues, meaning they are comics released in the past, and the shop likely has a surplus of them that didn't sell when they first came out.
Next, we're going to get into comic content a bit more.
As we went over previously, often times the general public thinks of Cape Comics when someone brings up the topic of comic books. An additional assumption often made about comic books is that they're targeted towards child-aged audiences, or just towards men. Both of these assumptions could not be more wrong! Comics ARE for everyone!
To elaborate, we can look at what kind of things publishers put out.
To elaborate, we can look at what kind of things publishers put out.
In general, any publisher not among the traditional Big Two (Marvel and DC Comics) falls into the category of being an Independent, or Indie publisher. Let's take a look at some of the more successful Indie comic book publishers:
Image Comics
Dark Horse Comics
BOOM! Studios
Dynamite
Ablaze
IDW
There are so many more, so here's a really solid guide to publishers!
Dark Horse Comics
BOOM! Studios
Dynamite
Ablaze
IDW
There are so many more, so here's a really solid guide to publishers!
But it's more than just the topic of the comics being published that makes the non-Big Two companies Indie publishers, but it's a bit more complicated of a concept. In this day and age, the idea of Intellectual Property, or IP, is really important in every kind of business, and comics are very much included. But what is IP, exactly? According to the World Intelligence Property Organization, IP can be described as, "creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce."
Additionally, IP is protected by law, to "enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create."
What does this have to do with comic publishers being classified as Indie or not?
In short, another term for Indie comics is Creator Owned*, because, essentially, that's what those comics are.
Which, of course, is in comparison to comic books from the Big Two, where anything the creators (writers, artists, and other team members) put on the page belongs to the publisher--NOT the creator.
It gives you a bit of a different perspective on Marvel and DC comics, doesn't it?
Additionally, IP is protected by law, to "enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create."
What does this have to do with comic publishers being classified as Indie or not?
In short, another term for Indie comics is Creator Owned*, because, essentially, that's what those comics are.
Which, of course, is in comparison to comic books from the Big Two, where anything the creators (writers, artists, and other team members) put on the page belongs to the publisher--NOT the creator.
It gives you a bit of a different perspective on Marvel and DC comics, doesn't it?
We could go on for a good long while about the problems (legal, moral, and otherwise) that come up in the comic book industry as a whole regarding IP, but here's a few resources you can sink into on your own:
- How Comic Books affected Copyright Law regarding Intellectual Property
- Some recent history of Marvel Comics' legal battles over IP
- IP and the Comic Book, from the American Bar Association
- How Creator Owned comics might be a concern for the Big Two
- Comic legend (and DC-contracted professional) Jim Lee argues DC Comics can still support creators' creativity
- Comic Rights and Jack Kirby
- Falcon and the Winter Soldier Backlash
- Marvel and DC "Shut Up Money"
It's important to be aware of this darker side of the comic book industry, because that's what we can do to keep these corporations responsible for the treatment of their creatives.
The ones who's hard work creates what's on the pages isn't the corporation or the publisher, it's the creative team.
The ones who's hard work creates what's on the pages isn't the corporation or the publisher, it's the creative team.
*a note on the classification of comics being Indie or Creator Owned: there is a difference, but for simplicity's sake, I will continue to use Indie (and Creator Owned) to cover all comics not involved in the "big two."
Mentioned a few times on this site, here's your description of what Pick and Pull lists are:
- Comic Book Pull Lists are a known industry term for a reader's total comic titles that will come out in any given month.
- Local Comic Shops will almost always have a Pull list Subscription service, where if you tell them what series' you want to continue reading, they will be sure to order subsequent issues for you as they come out, and hold them for you to pick up. Many shops will offer a discount for Pull List subscribers, and some even offer shipping to your home!
- In contrast, comic book Pick Lists are my own term for the comics I think are worth discussion after reading each week's releases.
Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to find something to read! But where to begin?
Comic Book Herald has a really great article on this, if you want to check that out. How to Love Comics has THIS helpful page on reading comics, as well, among a ton of other online sources. Otherwise...
Before we get too far along, though, I need to point out that in your comic reading journey, you will no doubt come across other readers who claim you MUST read one particular series or another, or how this or that comic is the greatest of all time, but be warned, these are all just opinions. Never feel obligated to read a story that doesn't sound interesting to you. The only thing you need to do is not be intimidated or afraid of digging in!
You might want to start by deciding what kind of comic you want to read; what kinds of stories are you usually interested in? Do you like Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, or Adventure? Do you like stories that explore a great mystery, shed light on a historical period from a different perspective, or bring a character to face their dark past?
Comic Book Herald has a really great article on this, if you want to check that out. How to Love Comics has THIS helpful page on reading comics, as well, among a ton of other online sources. Otherwise...
Before we get too far along, though, I need to point out that in your comic reading journey, you will no doubt come across other readers who claim you MUST read one particular series or another, or how this or that comic is the greatest of all time, but be warned, these are all just opinions. Never feel obligated to read a story that doesn't sound interesting to you. The only thing you need to do is not be intimidated or afraid of digging in!
You might want to start by deciding what kind of comic you want to read; what kinds of stories are you usually interested in? Do you like Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, or Adventure? Do you like stories that explore a great mystery, shed light on a historical period from a different perspective, or bring a character to face their dark past?
The following links will take you to my ongoing comic recommendation page, covering a variety of topics. More information on tehse recommendations can be found beyond the links!
"Indie" Recommended Comics
Marvel Comics Recommended "Starting Point"
DC Comics Recommended Reading
Recommended Graphic Novels
What About Manga?
Manga's are often translated into animated movies and/or TV, called anime, but that's a whole other discussion for a different time.