Many people have written me over the last two years, asking me about specific terms relating to comics. So, in hopes of answering people's questions, I've decided to add a glossary of commonly-used terms relating to comics. They will be presented here in alphabetical order. To see a definition of a term, just click on it below, and it will zip you down to that term.

This list is by no means complete. If you don't understand a term that isn't listed here, send me some feedback asking me to include that term. Or, if you don't like my definition of a term, or would like to add one, please send me feedback. Please note that I'm targeting these definitions to Batman readers, so I'm going to use Batman examples; also, some of these terms may only apply to comics from DC Comics.

Terms:

• Annual
• Crossover
• First Appearance
• Graphic Novel
• Issue
• Miniseries
• One Shot
• Prestige Format
• Title
• Trade Paperback

Most monthly titles produce a special comic every year called an annual. This comic is longer than the standard monthly comic, and often is part of a theme. For example, each year DC Comics picks a theme for all their titles. 1996's theme was "Legends From A Dead Earth," a Sci-Fi theme where the stories (about today's heroes, or their descendents) took place on planets in the future. Personally, my favourite theme so far has been 1995's "Year One" theme, where all the stories took place during that heroes' first year as a hero.

A Crossover is a story that takes place across multiple titles. For example, Knightfall took place in Batman, Detective Comics, and Showcase 93.

First Appearance refers to the first time a character appeared in a comic book. For example, Batman's first appearance was Detective Comics #27. Note that a character's first appearance does not have to be in the same issue as their alter ego: for example, Tim Drake appeared in a comic quite some time before he appeared as the third Robin - and these are treated as separate first appearance's. An issue with a first appearance is often valued more than a normal issue.

There seems to be a lot of different opinions on what a graphic novel is. To me, a graphic novel is a hardcover comic that is very special. They often tell a special story (recent Batman GN's have been Batman/Deadman and The Joker: Devil's Asylum), and are quite long. They often incorporate special art (Batman/Deadman's art was painted). Graphic Novel, to me, does include any subsequent paperback releases of a hardcover.

An Issue refers to a particular title and number, for example, Detective Comics #700

A Miniseries is a special series that only runs a short number of issues. Miniseries are used to tell a story outside of a regular title, and often features characters other than the title character. For example, Sword of Azrael was a four-issue miniseries that introduced Jean Paul Valley/Azrael. Gordon's Law was a miniseries that featured a particular case that Commissioner James Gordon worked on. Batman: The Long Halloween is a miniseries of 13 issues, and has often been referred to as a maxiseries.

A One Shot is a miniseries of one, or a single comic that tells a complete story. Batman: Death of Innocents was a one shot that told the story of Batman's trip to Central America to deal with the deaths of an employee. Batman: Vengeance of Bane was a one shot that just happened to have a sequel.

Prestige Format refers to a special format of comic. A PF comic has a stiffer cover than the standard, monthly comic, and is glossy, producing a more vibrant image. PF comics are usually longer than a standard monthly comic. And, accordingly, they cost more. PF comics have a higher grade of paper (like Miraweb), which not only doesn't let colours bleed through (like older comics), but really enhances the colours on the page, and won't tear as easily.

A Title refers to the name of a comic that appears on the cover, for example, Batman or Detective Comics.

A TPB is a comic that contains several related stories. For example, there is a Knightfall TPB which collects the comics that made up the Knightfall story. TPB's are usually used to provide people with a popular story, when the story was spread out over multiple titles, or where the individual issues are hard to find.

This file was last modified on June 30, 1997

A second window will open if you select any links external to the site.