A brief introduction for the beginning collector

The Art of OrganizingComic Books

Barbara GordonBatgirl/Info ProfessionalOnly Librarian of the DCU!

Comic Book Classification:

Wonder No More!Age

Format

Publisher Character/Universe

Series

Story Arc

Through the AgesGolden Age

Lasting from 1930s to 1950s

First wave of popular comics

The Trinity: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman

Silver AgeLasting from 1956 to

1970Supes down after

WWIIFlash Introduced

Bronze AgeLasting from 1970 to

1985Darker Books

Modern AgeLasting from 1985 to

NowPsychological, adult

topics“The Dark Ages of

Comics”The Anti-Hero

The Graphic FormatFloppies vs. Trades

FloppiesAlso known as issuesAbout 30 pages in lengthPublished in serial

formatTrades

Popularly known as the graphic novel

Book-length publication usually collecting 6 to 10 issues

Lower purchase price – Less collectable value

Manga/Anime

Other FormatsDigital Comic

Issues published in digital format

Viewed and stored digitally

Comic StripPublished in print

publications like newspaper; often also published online

Collected in trade formatEpisodic – No continuous

storylineWeb Comic

Who’s WhoThe Big Two The Independents

MarvelMarvel KnightsUltimates

DCVertigoWildStorm

What’s It Mean?Major namesLong, convoluted

story lines

Dark HorseImageOniTop CowTop ShelfWhat’s It Mean?

Focus on other genres

Limited story lines

The Character UniverseComics defined by

character NOT series/title

Many characters, story lines, and titles can exist in one universe – held together by one character

Character-Specific DetailsSettingBasic HistorySkills/PowersPersonality

Example: Batman UniverseSetting: Gotham CityHistory: Orphaned,

Rich, Double LifeSkills/Powers: Average

Man, Tech-SavvyPersonality: Dark &

Brooding

Down to the Details

Series Story Arc Can be any length

Continuous Series: Detective Comics, 1939 - 2011

Limited Series: Watchman Reboot Character details are

series specific Multiple series running

concurrently can conflictAmazing SpidermanNew Avengers

Story details contained within story arc

Usually 3 to 10 issues

Arc(s) usually published as graphic novel

Easy jumping-in points

How to Store Your BooksThe Long Box Method The Binder Method

BinderPlastic Storage

SlipsTabs

Bags & BoardsLong BoxDividers

The Final Product

Example @ Prairie Dog Comics – Wichita, KS

AnyQuestions

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