Comics and Sequential Art

Not Just For Kids.

When I mention "comics" to the average American, the response is usually to think of either SUPERHEROES or KID STUFF. Unfortunately, the average American couldn't be farther from the truth. European comic albums, Japanese manga, and American comic strips and graphic novels are just a small assortment of what else is out there; the combination of word and image can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

In the 1930's to 1950's, some American comics sold millions of copies each month. They were read by Americans of all ages, from men to women, boys to girls. There were war comics, mystery comics, romance comics, teen humor comics, and the like. Today, comics are generally thought of as teenage-boy-targeted superhero fantasies, and are published in smaller print runs. While that stereotype is realistic to a certain extent, it is not wholly true.

If you're familiar with comic books, and are looking for the X-Men links or FAQs, those can be found to your left. However, if you are new to comics, please check out our reading list. While Joel and I do have a bunch of superhero stuff on our monthly pull list (hey, Jerry Siegel was my great-uncle; Superman runs in the bloodline), I've also listed some of our favorite and best titles, and some suggestions for those looking for mystery, humor, fantasy, science fiction, drama, and history in their sequential art.

If all else fails, please check out the section of links to comic book publishers and newsgroup resources. Tons of publishers have a web presence, so check them out to see if they publish the sorts of tales you're interested in!

Please leave your comments before you go, so I can improve this site in the future!

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URL: http://www.enteract.com/~katew/comics/index.htm
Last updated: 2002-10-26