Nicholas Hanna asked:


Comic book fans have been preaching it for years: comics are not just for kids. This should be old hat by now. So rather than trying to entice non-comic readers to read comics, let’s first explore the medium of comics and what makes it unique.

 

When you read a book, you are creating images in your mind based on the words. That’s why a good writer can convey a complex image easily and understandably. The beauty of books is that ten people reading the same book may come up with ten different images based on how their minds shaped the words.

 

Movies tend to be just the opposite. The pictures and dialogue are given to us with very little left to the imagination. Movies are straightforward and to the point. Those same ten people from the book example certainly saw the same images of a film.

 

Comic books are a unique combination of the two. Forget about content for a second. Comics can do what no other medium can; the combination of words and art in a sequential format tell a story and evoke feelings that other formats, in their attempt to conjure the same feelings, would have failed miserably. That isn’t to say comic characters can’t be in good movies. They can. However, the emotion and feeling from reading Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum could not be duplicated on the big screen. Same goes for Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Kurt Busiek’s Marvels. For further information on this unique medium, I highly suggest Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.

 

Now, with that out of the way, here are five creators who have written several series and/or graphic novels that non-comics readers would enjoy and find thought provoking:
 

Alan Moore. Yes, Watchmen is on everyone’s list and yes, it should be. A fantastic use of the medium and an entertaining story as well. But Moore has such a rich bibliography that I **** to confine it to just the one classic. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and From Hell are also classics, and certainly not for children. His entire line of ABC Comics is worth a read. Even finding his individual stories (there are several compilations on the market) is worth it.

 

Grant Morrison. My personal favorite, he tends to be a little “out there” for some. But I find his stories to be contextually rich with symbolism and sequences that stay with me for days. I highly recommend The Invisibles, We 3, Seven Soldiers mini-series, and his run on Doom Patrol, Animal Man and Justice League. Graphic novels include Sebastian O, The Mystery Play and Arkham Asylum.

 

Neil Gaiman. Noted mostly for his outstanding Sandman run, which I highly recommend, Gaiman also wrote the underrated graphic novel Murder Mysteries.

 

Greg Rucka. I include Rucka on this list for his outstanding characterization in the Queen & Country series and the wonderful mystery, Whiteout. Both series have several moments where you realize that the comic medium was the only way to get these stories to work best.

 

Bill Willingham. A somewhat controversial pick for this list, however I wanted to include him due to his unbelievable work on Fables. It’s one of those concepts that have writers everywhere smacking their heads saying “why didn’t I think of that.” Entertaining and engrossing, this series will have you reading fairy tales to your children in a whole different light.

 

So there are several titles worth checking out (most available from local libraries), most of them worth reading over and over again. Remember, comics may have initially been directed at a young audience, but those days are over. Open your mind and enjoy the unique feeling that comics offer and you’ll be richer for the experience.



BRENDAN

Peter Gitundu asked:


What do you usually do with your old comic books when you are done reading them? Many of us usually just leave them lying around to wither into old age and then we probably trash it. Other people will probably return them into their original paper seal and keep them stored as collectables and probably sell them later when they are worth more than they are now. If you sell comic books you would be surprised at how much money and demand that is out there.
Most people who sell comic books know the value that comes from owning old comic books, having been maintained like an old vintage car. What you need to do with the comic is put into a clear plastic sleeve, or you can even sell it to someone who is interested. The comic books that sell the most are usually the first series kind and they usually go for a lot of money compared to the new ones that is why you will find that it is collectors who buy such comics. The hard covered comic’s books also have value.

There are also places where you can go and see these comic books, especially at the conventions they usually have people bringing their comic books and showing them to everyone as well as some people selling them. The internet is another good place to find people that are willing to sell comic books or if you are looking for rare comics you can try an auction where you can look for the comic you want. Be sure to leave your comic in good condition and makes sure it’s in mint condition if you intend to sell it one day.



CRAIG

Krystle Green asked:


The first Saturday in May is the official day for comic books. What is so great about this day is that comic books are given away for free. For the past seven years, participating stores have been giving out free comics; but only on this one Saturday a year. The purpose behind this day is to promote comics to kids. To keep the industry alive, we need the newest generations getting hooked on comics. Kids as young as two and three years old become interested in comics, even though they can’t read, because they are familiar with the action hero figures. More than likely, most kids have a superman or batman action figure and they can relate to the comics from looking at the pictures.
The comics given out are special issues. They are printed especially for Free Comic Book Day. They are printed differently than normal comics, and they don’t have a barcode on them. Also, most of the comic books handed out have Free Comic Book Day printed somewhere on the cover. At one store participating in the event, they have more than ten different comics to choose from that will be given out for free. This is made possible because each major comic publisher produces a free edition comic. For a comic book enthusiast, this once a year even is like Christmas for them. As many as twelve million comic books will be given out on Saturday.

William Shatner, one of the most memorable Star Trek actors, is taking part in the event. He has plans to announce the release of his own comic book series. He will be doing a comic book signing at a store in Los Angeles where they will be giving out free comics. William Shatner partnered with Bluewater Productions to create a 32 page comic to be given away for free in support of Free Comic Book Day. His series of science fiction comics is called Tek War, and the free comic given out is a prologue to the issue. Hugh Jackman, leading actor in the X-men series, is also promoting Free Comic Book Day. He is starring in the new release X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He believes that comics have the power to get kids to read. They are playing a large part in fighting illiteracy in our country.

Without comic book retailers, this world wide event wouldn’t be possible. They pay anywhere from 12 to 50 cents for each free edition comic book, and give them out to free for anyone who walks through their store.



TONY

Monk Mayfair asked:


I am creating a comic and while I have the art thing down (more or less), I want the lettering to look decent, so I’m wondering what size to do the lettering on a comic art-board (11 x 17), which will of course be reduced to standard comic size.
Thanks.

SIDNEY

Krystle Green asked:


The average price of a comic book ranges from $2.00 to $2.99. However, over time their value can increase tenfold. Comic are becoming more popular as each year passes and people are buying more comics each time they go to a comic book store. The demand for comics is making them a hot commodity, and rare comics are becoming very valuable. Comic enthusiasts are paying top dollar for first edition and rare comics that date back to as late as the 1950’s.

In Dallas, Texas, at the Heritage Auction Galleries, two very rare and valuable comics are going up for auction. The two comics being auctioned off are Batman #1 and Marvel Mystery Comics #9. A man who has been collecting comics since he was a young kid is auctioning them off, and they are expected to bring in up to $500,000 profit for both.

The first issue of Batman comics, Batman #1, came out in the spring of 1940. It became so popular that the Batman series which originally was supposed to be published quarterly, turned into a bi-monthly production in the 1950’s. It then became a monthly series and has stayed that way. Batman, the character, first appeared in another series of comic books called the Detective Comics in issue #27. The Batman series is still being published today and the latest issue is #686.

Marvel Mystery comic books series started production in the 1930’s. Marvel Mystery Comics #9 is about the Human Torch versus the Sub-Mariner. The Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner are two of the most popular comic’s character during the Golden Age of Comic books. The Sub-Mariner was considered to be Marvel comic’s first mutant character because he is a mix of the human species and the Atlanteans. He lives on both land and sea and has superhuman strength. The Human Torch can engulf his entire body on fire and can also fly.

What makes comic books valuable are the characters. During the Golden Age of Comics, these three characters were some of the most popular. The issue number, seen as # on the comic, also raises value of the comic. Batman #1 is so valuable because it’s his first appearance in his own series. The Batman character had been introduced in different series and gained popularity among readers, which is why his series was created. Marvel Mystery Comics #9 is valuable because something important happened. It was the dual between two well known comic characters. There are different factors that make a comic book valuable, and these two comic books have it.



GORDON

irohanihoheto50 asked:


If yes, Please tell me the title of your favorite comic book.
My favorite is Akagi.

MARIANO

MIKE SELVON asked:


Comic book collecting was once the realm of children who only cared about comic book prices as buyers. They weren’t selling or trying to get the best deal. Comic book prices affected whether they could get comic books that week, and how many they could get.

Comic book prices were printed on the items they wanted and were therefore static. If they wanted a 25-cent cartoon book, they had to come up with a quarter with which to buy it.

Back then, there were no cartoon book collection supplies or cartoon book collecting bloggers. Collectors were pretty much on their own. They made their choices according to what they liked.

Then they grew up. Comic book prices went up. But they also discovered that many people were getting rid of their old collections and that they were able to buy books that they had always wanted.

Savvy collectors who were getting rid of their books reasoned that people would be willing to pay good money for books they really wanted. A new kind of cartoon book market was born.

As this market evolves and becomes more complicated, collectors have begun to trade more than cartoon books; they have begun trading information.

Whole businesses have grown up around selling cartoon book collection supplies and cartoon book collecting bloggers are out there filling the Internet with all kinds of information.

There is an infinite number of variables that cause comic book prices to go up or down. Of course, it can all be filed under the law of supply and demand, but so many things affect demand that it takes an expert just to make an educated guess. And cartoon book collecting bloggers don’t have to have any special credentials to dispense information.

All they have to be is convincing. So if you are searching for the best way to handle collecting, buying and selling, or the best cartoon book collection supplies to buy, it’s best to look at a lot of sources, to cross reference, and to look very skeptically at what people say.

If you are a beginning collector, decide on the comic book collection supplies that you will need to start your collection. If you plan on buying and selling comic books, for instance, keep a system of the ones you buy and sell.

Also, buy a cartoon book price guide so you can keep up with the latest trends in the industry. With enough research, you will be able to tell experts from beginners in the cartoon book field.

Comic book collecting was once a simple and fun pastime that was meant for kids. In the last few decades, though, it has become a way to make money because of their increasing value over the years.

Comic book prices have increased as a result of their potential. But cartoon book collecting can still be fun. If had a collection as a kid, you can find the comic book prices on the market and sell them if you’d like.

Or, if you’d rather, just learn more about the industry so you know what kind of precious commodities you have in your possession. With the wide selection of cartoon book collection supplies and comic book collection bloggers, there is an entirely new aspect to the entire industry.



STACY

Denver G asked:


I have a lot of comic books that i want to get rid of but have no idea as to what they are worth. Does anyone know where a good place to sell them online?

RUSSEL

Mr.Next Generation asked:


How many people read comic books and what ages read comic books? I want to know the percentage of people and their age and gender.

WILLARD

george g asked:


what is the address of buyers of old comic books in hk?

SHERMAN