Comics 101 | What You Need to Know Before Getting Into Comics

Then you look online and discover decades of stories, hundreds of different series, multiple universes, reboots, crossovers, alternate covers, single issues, trade paperbacks, omnibuses... Suddenly, reading comics doesn't seem so simple anymore.

But here's the thing: It really doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need to read everything Marvel or DC has ever published. You don't need to know every character. You don't need to understand every crossover.

You just need to understand a few basic things about how the comic industry works and how comics are published. So, if you're completely new to comics, welcome to Comics 101.

Let's start from the beginning.

Marvel, DC and Independent Comics

When people talk about American superhero comics, two names usually dominate the conversation: Marvel and DC. These are the publishers behind some of the most recognizable characters in popular culture.

Marvel gives us characters such as Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the Hulk. DC is home to Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League and many others. But Marvel and DC aren't the entire comics industry.

There are also many independent publishers creating their own characters and stories. One of the biggest names you'll encounter is Image Comics. Independent comics can be particularly interesting for new readers because you're often dealing with stories that aren't tied to decades of superhero continuity.

Instead of wondering whether you need to read 40 years of backstory, you can sometimes pick up a new series and simply start reading.

That's one reason I think indie comics are worth exploring even if superheroes are what originally brought you into comics.

Who Actually Makes a Comic?

Another thing I didn't fully appreciate when I first got interested in comics is how many different people can be involved in creating one.

When you look at a finished comic book, you might think of it simply as something drawn by an artist. But there are several important creative roles.

The Writer

The writer creates the story. They're responsible for things such as:

• Plot

• Dialogue

• Characters

• Pacing

• Story structure

They're essentially responsible for turning an idea into a script that the rest of the creative team can bring to life.

The Artist

The artist takes the script and turns it into sequential artwork. They determine how characters look, how scenes are composed and how the action unfolds from panel to panel.

In comics, storytelling isn't just about drawing something that looks cool. The artwork needs to communicate movement, emotion, action and story.

The Colorist

The colorist adds color to the artwork. This might sound like a relatively small part of the process, but colors can dramatically affect the mood of a comic. A bright, colorful scene can feel completely different from one dominated by dark or muted colors.

The Letterer

The letterer handles the words you actually see on the page. That includes:

• Dialogue balloons

• Captions

• Sound effects

• Other written elements

Good lettering can be surprisingly important. It needs to guide your eyes through the page while fitting naturally into the artwork.

So when you're reading a comic, remember that you're looking at the combined work of an entire creative team.

The Most Important Comic Format: Single Issues

Now let's talk about the books themselves.

One of the biggest differences between comics and manga is the way they're traditionally published. American comics are often released first as single issues. A single issue is a relatively thin comic book containing part of an ongoing story.

Many monthly comic series traditionally release one issue at a time. You might see something like: Batman #150 or Amazing Spider-Man #25. The number tells you where that issue sits in the series. If you visit a comic shop on release day, these are the books you'll see lining the shelves.

And that brings us to one of the most important days for comic fans.

What Is New Comic Book Day?

In the United States, new comic releases traditionally arrive in comic shops on Wednesday. That's commonly known as: New Comic Book Day.

For regular comic readers, Wednesday can feel a little like a weekly holiday. New issues arrive. People visit their local comic shops. They pick up their reserved books. They browse the new releases. And they discover something they weren't expecting. If you're getting into comics, it's worth finding out whether there's a local comic shop near you.

Which brings us to one of the most useful concepts for comic collectors.

What's a Pull List?

Imagine there's a comic series you really want to follow. You don't want to worry about remembering to buy every issue. That's where a pull list comes in.

You tell your local comic shop that you want a particular series. The shop then sets aside new issues for you when they arrive. So instead of walking into the store every Wednesday and hoping your comic is still available, your copy is already waiting for you.

It's a simple system, but it's one of the best reasons to build a relationship with your local comic shop. And don't be afraid to ask the staff questions. Comic shops are full of people who have been reading comics for years, and they can often help you figure out where to start.

What Are Variant Covers?

Here's another term you're almost guaranteed to encounter: Variants.

A variant is essentially a different cover for the same comic issue. The story inside is generally the same, but the cover artwork is different. Publishers release variant covers for a variety of reasons, and collectors can become particularly interested in them.

You might see:

• Regular covers

• Variant covers

• Incentive variants

• Special event covers

• Artist-exclusive covers

If you're collecting comics, variants can be extremely tempting. But remember: You don't need every cover.

If you love a particular cover, buy it. If you prefer the standard cover, that's completely fine too. Don't let collecting variants turn into another way of spending money simply because something is rare.

What Are Collected Editions?

Maybe single issues aren't your thing. That's completely fine. You can also read comics in collected editions.

These collect multiple individual issues together into a single book. The most common formats you'll encounter include:

Trade Paperbacks

Often called TPBs or simply "trades," these collect several individual issues into one paperback volume. They're one of the easiest ways to read a comic story from beginning to end without buying every individual issue. For beginners, they're often a very convenient format.

Hardcovers

Hardcover collections offer a sturdier and often more premium alternative to trade paperbacks. They're particularly attractive if you're building a physical collection.

Omnibuses

Now we're getting into the big books. An omnibus can collect a large amount of material in a single hardcover volume. Depending on the book, it might contain an entire major storyline, a creator's run or a substantial portion of a character's history. They're beautiful. They're also huge. Seriously. Some omnibuses are enormous.

Compendiums

Compendiums can also collect very large amounts of comics in a single volume. They're often paperback editions and can be a practical way to get a large amount of reading material without buying dozens of individual books.

So if you see someone with a massive hardcover sitting on their shelf, there's a good chance you're looking at an omnibus.

Where Should You Buy Comics?

There are several options.

Your Local Comic Shop

If you have an LCS — Local Comic Shop — nearby, give it a try. It's more than just a store. Comic shops are part of the culture surrounding the hobby. You can browse new releases, ask for recommendations, set up a pull list and meet other readers.

Online Stores

Online retailers can also be useful, particularly if you're looking for older issues, collected editions or specific books. They can also make price comparison easier. Just remember that shipping costs can make a seemingly cheap comic considerably more expensive.

Comic-Con and Conventions

Conventions can be another fun place to buy comics. You can find:

• Back issues

• Collected editions

• Variant covers

• Artist-signed books

• Independent comics

• Merchandise

And honestly, sometimes the fun is simply digging through boxes and seeing what you discover.

How Do You Protect Single Issues?

If you're going to collect individual comic books, you're going to hear two words constantly: Bags and boards.

A comic bag protects the comic from dust, dirt and handling. The board provides support and helps prevent the comic from bending or becoming warped. Together, they're a basic part of comic collecting.

If you're putting comics into bags, make sure you're using appropriately sized bags and boards. And here's a small tip that can save you some frustration: Be Careful With Tape

When sealing comic bags, some collectors recommend using blue painter's tape rather than stronger adhesive tapes. The advantage is that painter's tape can generally be removed more easily without leaving the same kind of aggressive adhesive behind.

The goal is to protect the comic — not accidentally damage it while trying to protect it.

What Are Short Boxes and Long Boxes?

Eventually, if you collect enough single issues, you're going to need somewhere to put them. That's where comic storage boxes come in.

The two common terms you'll hear are: Short boxes and Long boxes. Long boxes hold more comics but can become extremely heavy when full. Short boxes contain fewer comics and are easier to move around.

Personally, I think beginners should seriously consider how much weight they're comfortable moving before buying a huge number of long boxes. A full comic box is much heavier than it looks.

How Should You Display Your Comics?

Not everything needs to be hidden away in storage boxes. If you have a particular comic with an amazing cover, you might want to display it.

You can stand collected editions upright on shelves just like books. For individual issues, you can use wall display methods designed for comics.

One important point: Don't put holes through your comics. If you're using tacks or similar methods, the idea is to pinch or hold the comic and its protective bag rather than piercing the actual comic. Even better, use a display system specifically designed for comics if you plan to rotate books regularly.

Where Should a Beginner Start?

Now we've reached the most intimidating question: What should I actually read? There is no single correct answer. But there are some books and series that can make the process less intimidating.

1 Marvel: The Marvel Color Series

If you're interested in Marvel but don't want to dive straight into decades of continuity, the Marvel Color books are worth looking into.

These stories revisit important characters through relatively accessible standalone stories. They're a good way to get familiar with individual characters without immediately needing to understand the entire Marvel Universe.

2 DC: World's Finest

For DC, World's Finest is another fun place to explore.

The concept of Superman and Batman working together is about as classic as superhero comics get. It gives you two of DC's biggest characters in the same story while keeping the focus on their relationship and superhero adventures.

4 DC: The Absolute Universe

If you're looking for something newer and want to see a different take on familiar DC characters, the Absolute Universe is another interesting place to explore.

One of the fun things about alternate takes is that you get to see familiar characters interpreted in completely different ways.

5 Independent: Something Is Killing the Children

If you're willing to move beyond traditional superheroes, Something Is Killing the Children is a great example of what independent comics can offer.

It's a darker horror series with a very different atmosphere from a typical Marvel or DC superhero book. And that's exactly why I think exploring independent comics is important. You might discover that what you really love about comics isn't necessarily superheroes.

6 Independent: Murder Falcon

Another indie recommendation is Murder Falcon.

It's a completely different kind of experience, combining heavy metal, fantasy, action and plenty of heart. It's also a great reminder that comics can tell some wonderfully strange stories. And honestly, that's one of my favorite things about the medium.

You Don't Have to Read Everything

This is perhaps the biggest lesson I want a beginner to take away from this article.

You don't have to read everything. You don't need to start with Action Comics #1. You don't need to read every Batman story. You don't need to understand every Marvel crossover. And you don't need to know 80 years of continuity before you're allowed to call yourself a comic reader.

Find a character you like. Find a creator you like. Find a genre you like. Then start there. If you enjoy it, keep going. If you don't, try something completely different.

Comics Are a Hobby, Not Homework

I think this is where people sometimes make comics unnecessarily intimidating.

They treat the entire history of comics like one enormous reading assignment. It isn't. You aren't studying for an exam. You're reading stories.

If you want to read a 1,000-page Batman omnibus, go for it. If you want to read a six-issue indie series, that's fine too. If you only want to read Spider-Man, nobody is going to stop you. And if you discover that manga is more your thing? That's perfectly fine too.

Final Thoughts

Getting into comics might look complicated from the outside, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier.

You have the major publishers like Marvel and DC, alongside a huge world of independent comics. You have writers, artists, colorists and letterers working together to create the finished product. You have single issues, variants and collected editions. You have local comic shops, pull lists and New Comic Book Day. And you have an entire world of stories waiting to be discovered.

My biggest advice is simple: Don't worry about reading comics the "right" way. Start with something that sounds interesting. Pick up a trade paperback. Try a single issue. Visit a comic shop. Read an indie series. Ask another fan for a recommendation. And most importantly, have fun.

Because once you stop worrying about where you're supposed to start, you can finally start discovering where you want to go.

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