Adkinson-Lynton Comic Collection

Comic Books

A comic book is a sequence of comic strips that comprise an excerpt from a larger narrative or arc. The wider story in a single-issue comic book is unresolved. In order to understand the broader narrative, readers should read the issues that were published before and after a specific issue. 

Comic books use visual illustrations and cues to tell the whole story from panel to panel, including illustrations, captions, speech, or thought balloons.

To find comic book recommendations, check out the rest of this Libguide!  

Graphic Novels

A graphic novel is a story written and presented with the help of images. In other words, graphic novels are novels that have images to better illustrate what happens in the story. The story is self-contained in a graphic novel and can be read as a stand-alone book. 

To find graphic novel recommendations available from the West Library, check out our Graphic Novel Reading List!

Source: https://www.10differences.org/comic-books-graphic-novels-difference/

Single Issues

Most comic books begin as single issues that closely resemble a magazine. 

One-Shot

This is a single issue of a comic that is not part of a series. 

Annual

A longer single issue that is published on a once-a-year basis. They usually tie into an existing series and can be referred to by number or by year of publication. 

Variant

A variant is a comic released with a different cover than the main, "official" cover for the book.

Trade Paperbacks (Trades)

A trade is reprinting of anywhere from 4-12 issues of a monthly comic book, but six issues tend to be the standard. 

Volumes

A volume refers to how a publisher numbers its trades. It can also indicate which specific comic book series you are talking about when multiple series have the same name. 

Digital Editions

Technology has allowed comic books to move online, where readers can access them electronically through either their local library or from various digital services such as Marvel Unlimited and Comixology. 

Series

A series of comics consists of consecutively numbered single issues under the same title. 

Run

A run is a consecutive string of issues of a particular comic series. 

Source: https://bookriot.com/guide-comics-terminology/

Steps to Starting

1. Think about which kinds of comics you want to read:
   • What kind of movies, books, TV shows, or video games do you enjoy?
   • Which comic book movies or TV shows have you enjoyed?
   • What kinds of stories do you want to read

Your answers to these questions will help you pinpoint which comic runs you want to delve into. 

         2. Take advantage of your local library and other free comics:

• The West Library has a variety of graphic novels and comics to choose from including those from our Adkinson-Lynton Comic Collection. Bring your student ID and visit the Circulation Desk to access it!
• If you have Amazon Prime, you have access to Comixology which is one of the largest digital comics marketplace that also have a have a wide variety of free comics you can read. 
• Borrow from your friends and fellow comic readers!

         3. Visit your local comic store:

• If you would rather own the comic books you read, visit your local book or comic store and see what they have to offer!
• Find your local comic book store by visiting comicshoplocator.com 
• New comic issues usually release on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week, so make sure to stop by your comic store then to check out all of the new titles!
  • To find out which titles are released every week, visit ComicList to be in the know!

         4. Broaden your horizons:

• Check out other work from the artists and writers that you love. 
• Ask other like-minded readers what they are enjoying at the moment. 
• Ask our librarians or the staff at your local comic book store what you should read. 

         5. Get your friends into comics:

• Recommend your favorite stories to your friends and share all that you have learned from your journey into the comic world!