Before we begin to analyze religion in different comic book mediums, it would be beneficial to explore what the different mediums of comic books are. Comics have evolved overtime, and there is great debate over what exactly the first comic books were. Was it sequential drawings in caves? Or was it Egyptian art that was meant to tell a story? Or was it the comic strips of the early 1900s? This section will flesh out the different mediums of comic books.
Comic strip
This was provided by Encyclopedia Britanica: series of adjacent drawn images, usually arranged horizontally, that are designed to be read as a narrative or a chronological sequence. The story is usually original in this form. Words may be introduced within or near each image, or they may be dispensed with altogether. If words functionally dominate the image, it then becomes merely illustration to a text. The comic strip is essentially a mass medium, printed in a magazine, a newspaper, or a book.
Comic Books
This definition was provided by Joshua Fronk. Comic books do not exactly have a clear and organized path in history. Simply defining what a comic is quickly becomes a difficult task. A number of different definitions for comics exist, and opinions regarding when they became an art form are not scarce. There is no clear definition of the medium. However, there are various points upon which many scholars agree. They can be defined as drawn or painted images printed in sequence as a device to communicate a narrative or idea.
Graphic Novels
This was provided by Get Graphic. "Graphic Novel" is a format, not a genre. Graphic novels can be fiction, non-fiction, history, fantasy, or anything in between. Graphic novels are similar to comic books because they use sequential art to tell a story. Unlike comic books, graphic novels are generally stand-alone stories with more complex plots. Collections of short stories that have been previously published as individual comic books are also considered graphic novels.
Comic Genres
The Following information was produced by WikiBooks
Alternative Comic Books
Alternative/esoteric comic books are more realistic than superhero comic books, but they do not necessarily have to be real to life. Readers who want to think a bit more about what they are reading enjoy these comic books. Some are about fictional events, while others are educational or based on history. These comic books tend to receive more critical recognition and acclaim. Examples include American Splendor, Strangers in Paradise, Ghost World, and Sandman.
Manga
Manga comic books are Japanese. In the United States, these books are translated into English. With the popularity of these comic books, the style is often also produced in countries other than in Japan. Manga is the most well known comic book type worldwide.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Science fiction comic books tell futuristic 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 include. Nonetheless, superhero comic books belong to a category of their own.
Fantasy comic books involve fantasy creatures, swords, sorcery, and mythological figures. Some of the most successful fantasy comic books are also turned into very successful fantasy novels. An example of a fantasy comic book that has had widespread success is the Conan the Barbarian series.
Action Comic Books
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
Horror comic books feature characters such as zombies, monsters, and vampires. These comic books tend to be gruesome and often include nudity and profanity. 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/Adult 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.
