Even though for the most part people imagine superheroes when they think of comic books, there are some other genres for collectors to take pleasure in. With the exception of superhero, the main types of comic books are: fantasy, horror, alternative/esoteric, action/adventure, manga, science fiction, romance, humor, children's, and adult. Superhero comics are mainly well-liked in the United States. Superhero comic books are comparable to modern day legends, with fantastical settings and characters with superhuman powers and abilities. Instances of superhero comics include Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, Spiderman, and Superman .
Alternative/esoteric comic books are more rational than superhero comic books, but they do not unavoidably have to be real to life. Readers who want to imagine a bit more about what they are reading enjoy these comic books. Some are about imaginary events, while others are enlightening or based on history. These comic books tend to receive more critical acknowledgment and acclaim. Examples include Strangers in Paradise, American Splendor, Ghost World, and Sandman.
Manga comic books are Japanese. In the United States, these books are translated into English. With the attractiveness of these comic books, the style is often furthermore produced in countries other than in Japan.
Science fiction comic books tell ultramodern stories that incorporate advanced technology and, usually, travel through space. Many superhero comic books also fall under the science fiction category because of the superpowers and weapons they contain. Nonetheless, superhero comic books belong to a category of their own.
Fantasy comic books involve fancy creatures, swords, sorcery, and mythological figures. Some of the most thriving fantasy comic books are also turned into very successful fantasy novels. An example of a fantasy comic book that has had extensive success is the Conan the Barbarian series.
Action/adventure comic books usually involve characters that do not have special powers. Rather, they are everyday people experiencing a conflict. Most of the characters, however, are detectives or police, and the story focuses on their battles against criminals.
Horror comic books feature characters such as monsters, zombies, and vampires. These comic books are likely to be gruesome and often include nudity and blasphemy. Humor comic books also generally contain dark themes. They are not strictly funny, as a comic strip found in the Sunday newspaper would be. Humor comic books often cross over into many different genres of comic books.
Romance comic books involve stories about love and relationships. Many times, these comic books also cross over to other genres. In fact, comic books that are strictly about romance are no longer very common. Children’s comic books are also not that common, as most comic books are geared towards an adult audience. Comic books that are geared toward children are generally whimsical and humorous.
Adult comic books are considered the underground publications of the comic book genre. Nonetheless, there are numerous adult comic books to choose from. Many mainstream bookstores and even comic book shops do not carry this genre. Rather, most are downloaded from the Internet.
Like most comic fans I spend quite a bit of time thinking about the state of the business and how to make it better, well, honestly, how to make my modest corner of it better. After spending a lot of time thinking it over and discussing what everybody perceives to be the major elements leading to the collapse of comics (the distributor monopoly, for example), I realized what the biggest dilemma and killer really is: the industry.
I think most of the problems that we come across in the business come from the industry itself. First of all, comic companies lean towards publishing only for those who are already in the trade. Comic publishers typically aim their marketing towards those who are already here and creators are predisposed to create product only for those who are already familiar with the industry. Hardly ever does the thought of bringing new readers in truly ever pop up, which is insane. That would be like Hollywood only creating movies for those who work in film and television. As crazy as it sounds, this seems to be the state of mind of the industry in general.
Magazines like Cosmopolitan are fashion magazines, but their readers are the average woman (or girl) hooked on fashion and not members of the industry itself. Their publicity stretches beyond style and fashion industry trade publications and into the mainstream itself, where its buyers live. Why short sell your books only to the 50,000 or so members of the active comic community and not go for millions of people out there who enjoy action movies?
Comic publishers aren't the only ones to blame, either. Creators themselves are as big a restraint to new readership as anything else. If you want to know why, take a look at a modern comic versus one from as late as even the mid eighties and you'll see one very big difference. No, I'm not talking about paper or printing processes. The art itself is the main trouble with comics. Solid, clear storytelling has become a thing of the past. A new buyer will find most modern comics incomprehensible because the solid storytelling of days past (along with gutters remember, full page bleeds on every page get confusing) is gone.
Do you know why a lot of new readers are picking up Manga titles? It's because they are easier to read than US ones. Even with the flipped format, most Manga has straight forward enough storytelling that even the most uninitiated reader can follow what is going on and which panel comes next. This can't be said about most US titles (Indy or mainstream). The fact that the current trend in the US is for over rendered, poorly planned computer coloring, doesn't help readability at all.
Comics and comic art have become so ingrained the only ones who can stomach them are their sister-mothers. But it doesn't have to be that way.
The general public will read comics if you can get yourself out of the industry mindset and start creating comics for readers instead of for an industry more interested in John Byrne's latest social blunder than in buying your books.
Some places to consider for your books (depending on its target audience) are non-chain book stores, new age shops, record stores (Tower is starting to have a great selection of Indy and small press zines), libraries, corner markets, magazines with a similar areas of interest, schools, local area mailer compilations (such as the little coupon books you get in the mail), area events (concerts are a great spot), swap meets, arcades or game stores. There is an endless list of places that might be willing to carry your work if you let them know it's out there. You might have to spend some money to advertise. Get used to it. The old saying, you have to spend money to make money, is true for any business.
Here are some tips for making your books more accessible to broad audiences:
1) Market your books outside of comic-specific areas. Discover who might be interested in your book and trail those outlets. There are tons of places out in the world that would be willing to put up for sale your comic but they have to know it exists first. I've had success at art festivals, flea markets, record stores, sci fi magazines and more. Get as original with your marketing and sales as you do with actually producing your book. It's worth the extra effort.
2) Get rid of full page bleeds on every page. Don't be afraid of negative space around your pages. It will actually open up your pages and keep them from looking cramped.
3) Don't forget the gutters! Overlap panels are interesting from time to time, but gutters help to keep the art readable and from blending together. They're also great for pacing in your storytelling.
4) If you're going to color your books, don't go for the over-rendered look that most comics use. It's muddy and unclear. Look at animation or places like Disney Adventures for reference on coloring. Most cartoony books are well colored because they want to make sure the work is readily available to readers of all ages. Not every panel needs to be a fully digitally painted work of "art."
5) Think of storytelling. The most significant thing in a comic is that you do not lose your audience. If at any point your readers get perplexed as to where to read next, then you've failed at your job as a storyteller. And, remember, style is no excuse for poor storytelling (or poor artwork in general, but that's a rant for another time)
6) Don't have large blocks of text or dialogue in each panel. There's an old unwritten rule in mainstream comics (and one that has been largely forgotten or ignored): never have more than 26 words in any balloon or caption box. Anything more than that and the words will run together, potentially causing readers to skip over sections of what is on the page.
7) This one is going to cause any comic collector to cringe: get rid of issue numbers. Or, if you just have to have them, place them in the indicia only. Issue numbers are one of the big obstacles for new readers, especially in periodical product like comic books. A reader needs to be able to come in on any issue and not have to worry about having to read 10 back issues to know what's going on. Sure you can let them know there are other stories they can read (and, which will be available in trade paperback), but don't make those stories required reading. Follow Cosmo's lead (or Playboy's) and just have the month and year on each cover. Comics should be entertainment first and foremost. Get out of the collectible mindset.
Forget the mantra, comics aren't just for kids anymore. It's old, played out and is part of the death sentence of the industry. Creators have spent so much time trying to prove that comics can be for adults that they've forgotten to build the next generation of fans by only making comics for older fans who are already in comics. Without young readers there is no future in the industry. As a second part of this thought, just because your comic has adult language, nudity and graphic violence doesn't automatically make the book for adults. Vertigo and Ultimate writers take note.
9) Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some work. Publishing is a business and, at first, you may find yourself putting in as much time marketing as you do creating. That's not a bad thing.
My heresy will end with this statement: the only way to save comics may be to let the comic industry, as it exists right now, shrivel up and die. It's on the road as it is, with everyone racing to tear whatever pieces they can get from its still (barely) living corpse. The industry isn't the heart of comics and didn't make them, so dare to be different. Put down the latest issue of the comic industry death watch, Wizard. Ignore the party line that an Indy book will sell less than 250 copies there is a world outside of the Geppi chokehold.
A bit of inspiration for you: Nifty's main title, the Cadre, sells over 5000 copies per issue and 90% of that is outside of the comic industry. Not bad for a black and white, mainstream style super hero comic.
The world is a big, beautiful place full of potential new readers. You just have to venture out and find them.
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