comics
Paneled visual narratives
Comics are sequential images, usually with text, that tell a story or convey humor—from newspaper strips to graphic novels to superhero serials.
The form ranges from single-panel gags to elaborate narratives.
Comic also works as an adjective meaning funny or related to comedy, and as a noun for a comedian: She's a stand-up comic.
The phrase the comics typically refers to the comics section of a newspaper.
Powered champion against evil
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- romanceLove and its excitement
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- alternativeAnother available choice
indie · slice-of-life · action · sci-fi · crime · noir · autobiographical · fantasy
Flat rectangular sections
- gutterEdge channel for runoff
- balloonInflatable rubber sac
- captionText accompanying an image
- stripNarrow elongated piece
frame · serialization · syndicate · anthology · manga · webtoon · floppy · issue
Superhero media conglomerate
- DCUnidirectional electrical flow
- AvengersThose seeking retribution
- capeShouldered sleeveless wrap
- maskFace-worn concealment
villains · heroes · powers · mutants · vigilante · sidekick · alter-ego · spandex
Applying liquid pigment
- pencilingDrawing with graphite
- letteringStyled written characters
- coloringAdding pigment to something
- illustrationPicture explaining something
artwork · sketch · layout · crosshatching · SFX · splash · spread · thumbnail
Mouth restraint or jest
- stripNarrow elongated piece
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
- cartoonAnimated or humorous illustration
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
slapstick · parody · satire · caricature · lampoon · editorial · political · Garfield
superhero
Powered champion against evil
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- romanceLove and its excitement
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
alternative · indie · slice-of-life · action · sci-fi · crime · noir · autobiographical · fantasy · memoir
panels
Flat rectangular sections
strip · frame · serialization · syndicate · anthology · manga · webtoon · floppy · issue · webcomic
Marvel
Superhero media conglomerate
mask · villains · heroes · powers · mutants · vigilante · sidekick · alter-ego · spandex · X-Men
inking
Applying liquid pigment
illustration · artwork · sketch · layout · crosshatching · SFX · splash · spread · thumbnail · penciller
gag
Mouth restraint or jest
funny · slapstick · parody · satire · caricature · lampoon · editorial · political · Garfield · Peanuts
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- panelsFlat rectangular sections
- pacingRate of movement
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
continuity · arc · plot · dialogue · caption · montage · flashback · retcon · crossover · one-shot
- creative artsvisual art, drawing, painting, abstract art, illustration
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- pastimeshobbies, amusement, puzzles, cards, crafting
- Indoor pastimesboard games, card games, puzzles, video games, reading
- book genresfiction, novels, nonfiction, mystery, thriller
- illustrationpainting, drawing, watercolor, sketch, charcoal
comicsprose fiction
Imaginary tales in sentences
novels · literary fiction · prose · chapter books · poetry
comicsliterary fiction
Prose emphasizing craft and depth
fine art · canonical works · the classics · prestige drama · belles-lettres
- comic booksIllustrated periodical narratives
- comic stripSerialized newspaper cartoon panels
- comic reliefHumor easing dramatic tension
- stand-up comicSolo performer telling jokes
- Horror comicsIllustrated scary story publications
- standup comicSolo stage humorist