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 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 is 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 as well as scientific/medical comics.

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

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The Superman film series consists of five superhero films based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The films contain storylines such as Superman's origin story, growing up in Smallville, fighting Kryptonian supervillains and Lex Luthor, romancing with Lois Lane, and returning to Earth after a long visit to Krypton. Warner Bros. has served as main distributor of all films. Ilya and Alexander Salkind and Pierre Spengler had purchased the Superman film rights in 1973. After numerous scripts, Richard Donner was hired to direct the film, filming Superman and Superman II simultaneously. Donner had already shot 80% of Superman II before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. Richard Lester finished with II and returned for Superman III. Upon gaining the rights for Superman, Alexander Salkind and his son, Ilya Salkind, had also purchased the rights to the character of Supergirl, which resullted in the 1984 spin off Supergirl. Cannon Films acquired the film rights to Superman, resulting in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. With over 15 years of development for a fifth Superman film, Superman Returns was released, directed by Bryan Singer. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut was released the same year. Critics have given positive reviews for Superman, Superman II, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut and Superman Returns, while Superman III, Supergirl and Superman IV have been met with negative feedback.

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Anniversaries for June 2

1895: launch of The Little Bears, American comic strip created by Jimmy Swinnerton
1902: founding of Newspaper Enterprise Association, the oldest and longest-running comic strip syndicate in the world
1918: birth of Ruth Atkinson, American comics artist best known as co-creator of Millie the Model and Patsy Walker
1940: debut of The Spirit, influential American comic created by Will Eisner
1945: final appearance of Bungle Family, American comic strip created by Harry J. Tuthill
1945: birth of Michael Leunig, Australian cartoonist best known for Vasco Pyjama
1948: birth of Barry Grossman, American comic book colorist
1951: birth of Michael E. Uslan, American producer of the Batman films and the first instructor to teach an accredited course on comic book folklore at any university
1958: birth of Scott Rosema, American comics artist best known for illustrating stories for Warner Bros
1963: birth of Joe Gentile, American comic book writer and author, founder of Moonstone Books
1968: birth of Flemming Andersen, Danish comics artist best known for his work on Disney comics
1971: birth of Anthony Montgomery, American actor and graphic novelist, creator of graphic novel Miles Away

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General images

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

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

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

... 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 although Blizzard's franchise Overwatch is centered around video games, its lore is mainly told through animated shorts, comics, and novels?
... that Arnie Roth debuted as a gay Marvel Comics character at a time when the publisher maintained a "No Gays in the Marvel Universe" policy?
... that a graphic novel for teens was among the 10 most challenged books in the United States in 2023?
... that Iván Arias's eccentric but successful 2021 La Paz mayoral campaign involved an action figure, comics, and chocolate kisses named and styled in his likeness?
... that Pinky & Pepper Forever is a graphic novel that follows two anthropomorphic dog girlfriends through hell?
... that Kamome Shirahama, in addition to writing and illustrating her best-selling Witch Hat Atelier manga series, has created variant covers for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and the Star Wars franchise?

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Whiz Comics #2 (Feb. 1940), the first appearance of Captain Marvel. Cover art by C. C. Beck.

Credit: Fawcett Comics

Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940). With a premise that taps adolescent fantasy, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a youth who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by the wizard Shazam.

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More did you know...

...that the Super Friends had two sets of sidekicks: Wendy & Marvin, and then the Wonder Twins?

...that during World War II, the Czech comics illustrator Kája Saudek was imprisoned in a German concentration camp?

...that Marvel Studios considered making stand-alone short films‍—‌known as Marvel One-Shots‍—‌for Loki, Black Panther, and Damage Control?

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[t]he standards of comics include inventiveness, originality, and consistency. The best comics really are great artworks — great by the intrinsic standards of that art form.

— David Carrier

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