Today, we went over a basic introduction of the many types of comics are out there.  This way,  students in the class were able to decide for themselves what kinds of comics they want to create, and what types of characters they were going to build.

So, without further ado– here’s a quick recap of the types of comics there are, that we learned about!  And what makes each genre unique from one another.

There are many different types of comics in this world! 

Here are some examples:

GAG COMICS and NEWSPAPER COMICS

These are one, to a few, panel comics that tell the whole story.

If it is a SIGHT GAG, the picture tells the whole story.

Otherwise, the picture AND the words together tell the story.

NEWSPAPER COMICS

Also sometimes called “the funnies” these comics are “gag”comics.  A sight or a word “gag” is a joke or a pun told through the picture itself, or through the words.    Sometimes, newspaper comics are a single panel.  However, they can also be three or four panels long.  They use pictures and words to tell a story quickly.

“Charlie Brown” was a very famous newspaper comic strip for many years.  And another example of a “sight” gag, sometimes used in theatre and sometimes drawn out in comics, is when a person is walking along, does not notice a banana peel in his path, and then he slips on it.

SUPERHERO COMICS

Many people think of superhero comics when they hear the word “comic book,“ since superhero comics and  characters have been popular for a very long time.

They are now very popular because many Superhero stories are being turned into movies.  In class we talked about some really popular comic books that are now popular movies– “Batman,” “The Green Lantern,” and “Spiderman” were only a few.

We also went over the qualifications a person needs to have to be a superhero, or a superheroine– what does a boy or girl need to do?

Well, the first things to be are kind and protective.  Superheroes tend to have good hearts, and the ability to protect people and save them from danger.  They also do things that normal people can’t do– like climb up buildings or fly– which is where the “super” part of their name comes in!

*Luckily, we also talked about the fact that superheroes AREN’T the only kinds of heroes.  A character, or even a real life person, can still be great and a hero, even just by being helpful and kind.  Sometimes, that’s even more important than being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. *

FANTASY COMICS

            In Fantasy Comics, MAGIC is a popular theme.

Creatures that use magic are characters in Fantasy.  Fairies, wizards, elves, pirates, queens, kings and dragons are often characters in Fantasy Comics.  In some ways these comics are similar to superhero comics, as characters in fantasy comics can sometimes use powers (magic). 

Also, fantasy comics are a great form to work in because as a creator, you can make ANYTHING happen.  Even stories where dogs and cats can talk can be considered fantasy.  Anything that would not be possible in the “real” world is always do-able in a fantasy.

Tinkerbell, from Disney’s “Peter Pan,” is a popular fairy/fantasy character from a fantasy story!   We also talked about “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings,” which are not graphic novels, but whose stories and characters have inspired a lot of illustrations from illustrators and cartoonists.  You don’t get much more magical than Hogwarts or Middle Earth.

MANGA/MANHWA

We also reviewed the types of comics that come from overseas.  Manga is the Japanese word for comics (when it is a cartoon movie, it‘s called anime).  Manhwa is the Korean word for comics.

Both of these kinds of comics are published here in the United States, and are very popular.  Many American artists have begun to draw actual Manga and Manhwa styled comics.

One way to tell these two apart?  Manga is read from right to left, as that is how Japanese is traditionally read (and the books will keep this, when translated into English).  Manhwa is read from left to right, even when translated, for Korean is actually read in the same direction that English is.

For people here in the states, Manga and Manhwa are considered their own genre.  However, since those words literally just mean “comics” in their home countries– their stories can be about anything!  Superhero comics, fantasy stories, and stories about everyday people are all genres that can be created using the Manga or Manhwa styles.  No matter what the story content is, though, the reason they are thought of as somewhat different in this part of the world, is because the drawing and storytelling styles are a little bit different than “Western” comics.  

Some of the many differences are that facial expressions are sometimes greatly exaggerated, cuteness is very often focused on, and there are certain things emphasized more for humor.  Next time you read a Manga and you notice a very annoyed character, notice a little four line symbol that looks almost like a star near the top of their head– that’s a symbol often used to show a character is so irritated, his or her veins are popping out!

We also talked a bit about “Naruto,” which is very popular both here and in its native Japan.  It is published as a series of Manga books, as well as an animated cartoon– the word for animated cartoons from Japan is “Anime.”

ALTERNATIVE/INDEPENDENT COMICS

This genre of comics was the last one we talked about, and a bit different from all the other types we went over.

Alternative and “independent” comics do not fit into any specific genre.  That means that they can be drawn in any style, and often, creators who have very unusual or different styles of drawing are interested in these types of comics.  In addition, we talked about how alternative and independent comics can be about anything– a bit like fantasy comics!  

Although, while there are some fantasy comics drawn with a more “alternative” style, there are also many about real people.  Situations involving real-life relationships, coming of age friendships, and the humor and drama present in both are often drawn as independent comics.

Frequently, these comics are drawn in all black and white, with a heavy emphasis on the pen and ink in the style.  And, as I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of room for different styles when working in this genre.  We looked at three examples of alternative comics, all with different drawing styles and very different stories: “Owly,” a black and white cartoon graphic novel that is all ages and shows the friendship of an Owl, a worm, and their friends; “Mouse Guard,” a color graphic novel that is both alternative and fantasy, as it is set in a fantastical world, yet rendered in a beautiful, unique style that is not exactly what “traditional” fantasy art looks like; and “Blankets,” a black and white graphic novel, drawn with a brush pen, that tells the story of a boy named Craig and his experience with his first love.

The last thing we discussed with independent comics might just be the coolest part about them– this is a genre where many people choose to make comics, and then publish them all on their own!  Even without a publishing house, anybody who can find access to a copier can make many copies of their own alternative comic, to give away and/or sell.

In fact, when you DIY– Do It Yourself– in terms of writing, drawing, copying, and printing your comic, you have actually become a “Self-Publisher” of your own work.

After we’d gone all over these different types of cartoons, the students were able to start working with their own ideas and on their own projects!  What types of stories did they want to tell?  Were they more comfortable working at first with one panel (“gag”) comics, or did they want to start making a page long story– or even a many pages long story?

The students then began working on their own stories (some even had ideas and characters already forming, which was great!), thinking about the following questions and concepts.

The first step in telling a story is to decide on your MAIN CHARACTER– who the story is about! 

*What is his or her name? 

*How old is your character?

*Is your character a person or an animal?

*Is your character a regular person, a fantasy character (like a fairy), a superhero, or someone else?

*Where does your character live?

*To get a better idea of this, make some small sketches of what your character might look like.

*Draw the character from the front, the side, and the back– we will go over this more in detail on the next class (about something called “character design”), but this will help you draw the character over and over when you are creating your story.  And, drawing a character over and over again is something that all cartoonists have to learn how to do.

So, that’s all for now, folks!  Stay tuned for the next Comics for Kids recap, and thanks for reading