The Endearing Nature of Comic Strips

Comic strips are a form of visual entertainment that a lot of people enjoy. The first comic strips appeared in Germany in 1865. It was about two boys who are getting punished for always getting into mischief. Comics strips gradually increased in popularity and began to appear regularly in American newspapers in the beginning of the 20th century. This popularity has paved the way for the creation of comic books.

They entertain us through funny or dramatic storylines, interesting characters, and classy artworks. Creating good comic strips requires a lot of hard work. You have to overcome the limitations of speech bubbles and the difficulty of telling a story frame by frame. Some comic strips have been created by a pair of artists, one person being involved in creating the story while the other is responsible for the visuals. Artistic drawings are also necessary in maintaining the interest of readers.

Many teenagers collect comic books dedicated to the characters of their favorite comic strips. Collectors often hang out in comic books store, waiting in anticipation for the latest issue of comic books. Some comic books editions are collector’s items and if preserved in mint quality condition.

Peanuts is one of the most successful daily newspaper comic strips ever created. Its characters have now become household names. We have been witnesses to the drama of how Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and other Peanuts’ characters struggle with the intricacies of being kids.
Movies and computer games have also increased the popularity of comic book superheroes that were once only limited to comic strips. The adventures of classic superheroes like Batman and Spiderman are reflections of the preoccupations of the time they were written in. They battle modern criminal activity and portray the moral sensibilities and political situations that are dominant in the time of their creation.

The simplicity of comic strips attract a reader’s interest. They are reassured by the clear depiction of the line between good and evil. Even though technology continues to advance, this bold and colorful means of entertainment will still hold a special place in the hearts of readers around the world.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Comic Strips. Visit our site for more helpful information about Comic Strips and other similar topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Choosing and Collecting Comics with Potential

There are thousands of comic book titles. They may be from the big dogs of the comic industry or from the small-time independent labels. Either way, all comic book collectors are biased when it comes to the title they accumulate. As a collector, you may be gathering issues of a specific title for your own personal pleasure or because it could be profitable someday. It is one thing to find the titles you like, but it is another to find titles that have good potential. With a lot of luck, you can kill two birds with one stone.

To complete your collection, there are a few steps to follow. For the first and most important, you must be updated and well informed. Read up on the subject from titles like the "Overstreet Price Guide" or the "Wizard Magazine". By doing this, you will be informed of the release dates of the issues to help you get the early releases and will also inform you of the cost and maybe even future values. When you find the title that you are interested in, do a rough estimate of the cost then go out and buy from a specialty shop, a catalog, online, or at a comic book convention. One can also buy from another collector. Good collectors prefer to sell their comics to another individual rather than to a comic shop because they get a better price. Before closing the deal, examine the comic and check its condition because in retailing, mistakes are inevitable. After carefully reading it, store properly in a safe place.

Back Issues are comics that are not presently sold on the racks and are sold separately in conditions ranging from "new/mint" to "very poor". The price is determined by the condition the comic is in. Also, it is good to shop around. You will see that shops compete and will undercut each other. You can often purchase overstocks of regular issues for half the cover price or more.

If the goal of your collection is to profit from it after a few years, you should fill it with titles that will grow in value over time. To achieve this, there are a few tricks to master. Once again, the key is to be informed. For example, Wizard Magazine enlists the top 100 selling comic books every month. The books on this list are the top sellers which mean that their characters are popular in that particular time. These books may have big potential in the future. Also, it is always good if you are able to buy first releases of the issues. Sometimes, the book publishers print the issues in different covers to promote sales. It is good to buy issues in their different covers too. One excellent tip is to know the creative teams of the comic because sometimes it is not the title that matters. A valuable issue may be due to the writer or the illustrator. Having an eye out for new and interesting material is useful because although most non-superhero books don't sell well, the interesting ones may gain in value. Getting to know your retailer can work to your advantage because their predictions of the next big thing will help you.

Remember that the comic's value is connected to its popularity. So sell with the tide. Sale does not depend on the titles you sell but on the timing as well. If for example a Spiderman movie is out, the sales of the comic books skyrocket.

Rare books also sell well. This is because the new comics are too mass-produced and anyone can get them. This results in the decrease of their value. It is advisable to buy comics with a very good storyline and exceptional illustrations. Buy books that you like because of their story and the art. Buy old books that fascinate you and try to get to know if the prices of these have already increased slightly. Be ready to pay for the best quality/grade of each issue. In choosing titles, take your time and shop hard. Remember that mainstream superhero titles are always going to be popular and buy the best of the issue. Don't listen to comic book dealers because they are often dishonest people trying to make money from children. Also try subscribing to a Comics buyer guide to learn all about the past and present issues. Lastly, learn to store your comic books properly to enjoy them for longer.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Comic Books. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Heroes and the Evolution of Comic Books

Heroes came out of nowhere at the beginning of this TV season and has turned into a runaway hit show. This was not entirely unexpected; NBC had a lot of confidence in Heroes from the beginning. However, no one could have legitimately expected Heroes to become the top 15 hit and ratings phenomenon that its become. Why, I suppose, is the question. Why has Heroes become such a great hit? What is the shows appeal?

Heroes is a comic book story, through and through. Regardless of what comic you believe it to be knocked off of, all comic are derivative of something or other, and Heroes certainly has its unique qualities anyway. What Heroes does better than any of the comic book adaptations before it, is actually act like a comic in its execution. Of course, Heroes is the first real comic book story to make its way to prime-time live action TV. Smallville might be considered, certainly now, but that show, from the very beginning, considered itself a teen drama. Only now is it getting deep into DC mythology.

Heroes, on the other hand, is paced like a comic book. Every episode is an epic adventure, serial in nature, that covers a wide array of characters in a methodical manner. The writers are taking their time with the story, allowing the characters and relationships to develop in a way that we haven’t yet seen in comic books.

Why haven’t we seen it, however? Why haven’t there been more attempts to bring the comic book aesthetic to television? Have there been fewer break out comic books in the past ten years? The BuddyTV article examines this question with great insight and precision.

For more resources about Heroes or even about Heroes and the Evolution of Comic Books please review http://www.buddytv.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola

Comic Book Collector Questions

Many of us collected comic books as kids. As adults, we think back to a simpler time when our biggest worry was the release of the latest edition of our favorite comic. At the time, we collected comics simply because we loved them.

As we grew up, however, our interests changed. We became adults and too grown up for comic books. We might still have a stack of old comics in the attic, though, or we may have sold them at a yard sale years ago.

Some adults, though, remained proud of their comic book collections, and many turned that collecting instinct to profit, buying, and selling comic books to supplement their income.

If you are new to collecting for value, you may have some questions and concerns. This article will address the questions most commonly asked by new comic book collectors.

How do I grade my comic books?

You have two choices when it comes time to grade a comic book. You may send the comic book to the Comics Guaranty Company for grading, or you can grade the comic yourself. o The CGC will charge a fee for grading, and then seal your comic in a plastic sleeve. A CGC rating is the only purely objective means of grading and guarantees to a potential buyer that your comic does have a certain official rating.

However, since the CGC grading costs money, it is not worthwhile to have every comic graded that way. You can learn to grade comic books yourself and for lower dollar value comic books, this is the way to go. Remember to be objective when grading your own comics, as you do not want to cheat a buyer inadvertently.

For comic books that are in less than perfect condition, you will need to look carefully at each bit of damage or wear to determine which grade the comic book should receive. Online guides or comic book collectors' magazines often have reference sheets to tell you the specifics of each grade.

It may be best to work with a more experienced collector initially, until you are more familiar with how the grading system works. He or she can show you examples of various comic grades.

How can I properly store my comic books to decrease wear and tear?

First, individually bag each comic book in Mylar. These storage bags are available from any good comic book store. You will also want to use comic book boards to prevent bending or creasing.

Purchase these individually or in bulk at your comic book store. Remember to change out your boards every few years to prevent the breakdown of the board, which can have a negative impact on your comic. Finally, you will need storage boxes.

Comic book storage boxes are available in long or short size. Long boxes are better value for the money, but if your comics must be stored in tight quarters, short boxes will give you more flexibility.

Remember to store your comic books in a climate controlled environment. Extremes of heat, cold, humidity, or dryness could have a negative impact on your comic books.

So what comic books should I buy?

The answer to that question really depends on your personal interests. Did you have a favorite comic book character as a kid or do you have one now? Seek out early editions of that character's comics or read the latest on what he or she is doing now.

If you see your comic book collection mostly as an investment, then you will want to carefully research and attempt to understand the market before jumping in. Spend time on online auction sites, visit comic book shops, and talk to other collectors.

Find out what is consistently hot, what is hot right now, and what the future trends expect to be. Focus on collecting first editions, full sets, and vintage "finds."

My comic book collection is huge! How can I possibly keep up with what I have?

A variety of tracking software is now available to monitor your comic book collection. Sme programs are free; others charge a small fee. The complexity of the programs varies dramatically, from simple tracking forms to the ability to generate multiple reports based on many different criteria.

Alternately, you can create your own database or spreadsheet file using software that you already own. Any office software can track a comic book collection. Simply decide which information you want to include and set up a new worksheet.

What should I know before I sell my comic book collection?

Be sure that each comic in your collection is individually graded, either by yourself or friend, or professionally through the Comics Guaranty Company (CGC). Any especially rare or valuable comics should definitely be graded by the CGC prior to sale, as the official rating will often increase the price you can receive.

Once every comic is graded, check the average selling price for each comic. Decide whether to sell individually, in sets, or in bulk. Often you can receive a better price for low value comics by selling them in bulk or in a complete set, while particularly high-end comics may command the best price alone.

Everything you want to know about comic books is at your fingertips from Mike Selvon's portal where a free gift awaits you. Visit us and leave a comment at our cartoons blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon

Comic Book Collector Questions

Many of us collected comic books as kids. As adults, we think back to a simpler time when our biggest worry was the release of the latest edition of our favorite comic. At the time, we collected comics simply because we loved them.

As we grew up, however, our interests changed. We became adults and too grown up for comic books. We might still have a stack of old comics in the attic, though, or we may have sold them at a yard sale years ago.

Some adults, though, remained proud of their comic book collections, and many turned that collecting instinct to profit, buying, and selling comic books to supplement their income.

If you are new to collecting for value, you may have some questions and concerns. This article will address the questions most commonly asked by new comic book collectors.

How do I grade my comic books?

You have two choices when it comes time to grade a comic book. You may send the comic book to the Comics Guaranty Company for grading, or you can grade the comic yourself. o The CGC will charge a fee for grading, and then seal your comic in a plastic sleeve. A CGC rating is the only purely objective means of grading and guarantees to a potential buyer that your comic does have a certain official rating.

However, since the CGC grading costs money, it is not worthwhile to have every comic graded that way. You can learn to grade comic books yourself and for lower dollar value comic books, this is the way to go. Remember to be objective when grading your own comics, as you do not want to cheat a buyer inadvertently.

For comic books that are in less than perfect condition, you will need to look carefully at each bit of damage or wear to determine which grade the comic book should receive. Online guides or comic book collectors' magazines often have reference sheets to tell you the specifics of each grade.

It may be best to work with a more experienced collector initially, until you are more familiar with how the grading system works. He or she can show you examples of various comic grades.

How can I properly store my comic books to decrease wear and tear?

First, individually bag each comic book in Mylar. These storage bags are available from any good comic book store. You will also want to use comic book boards to prevent bending or creasing.

Purchase these individually or in bulk at your comic book store. Remember to change out your boards every few years to prevent the breakdown of the board, which can have a negative impact on your comic. Finally, you will need storage boxes.

Comic book storage boxes are available in long or short size. Long boxes are better value for the money, but if your comics must be stored in tight quarters, short boxes will give you more flexibility.

Remember to store your comic books in a climate controlled environment. Extremes of heat, cold, humidity, or dryness could have a negative impact on your comic books.

So what comic books should I buy?

The answer to that question really depends on your personal interests. Did you have a favorite comic book character as a kid or do you have one now? Seek out early editions of that character's comics or read the latest on what he or she is doing now.

If you see your comic book collection mostly as an investment, then you will want to carefully research and attempt to understand the market before jumping in. Spend time on online auction sites, visit comic book shops, and talk to other collectors.

Find out what is consistently hot, what is hot right now, and what the future trends expect to be. Focus on collecting first editions, full sets, and vintage "finds."

My comic book collection is huge! How can I possibly keep up with what I have?

A variety of tracking software is now available to monitor your comic book collection. Sme programs are free; others charge a small fee. The complexity of the programs varies dramatically, from simple tracking forms to the ability to generate multiple reports based on many different criteria.

Alternately, you can create your own database or spreadsheet file using software that you already own. Any office software can track a comic book collection. Simply decide which information you want to include and set up a new worksheet.

What should I know before I sell my comic book collection?

Be sure that each comic in your collection is individually graded, either by yourself or friend, or professionally through the Comics Guaranty Company (CGC). Any especially rare or valuable comics should definitely be graded by the CGC prior to sale, as the official rating will often increase the price you can receive.

Once every comic is graded, check the average selling price for each comic. Decide whether to sell individually, in sets, or in bulk. Often you can receive a better price for low value comics by selling them in bulk or in a complete set, while particularly high-end comics may command the best price alone.

Everything you want to know about comic books is at your fingertips from Mike Selvon's portal where a free gift awaits you. Visit us and leave a comment at our cartoons blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon

Comic Book Collecting and the Essentials

Where comic book collecting is concerned, in over seven decades the genre of comics has transformed into something much more than children's reading material. Even age lines have become blurred as more adults, either for personal pleasure ore monetary gain, have turned to comic book collecting.

If a foray into cartoon book collecting is something you are interested in, then a general knowledge of periphery items is in order such as a good cartoon book price listing guide and even cartoon book collection software.

Comic books are more than just about collecting and storing in boxes. Many individuals chose to trade and even sell their acquisitions. To do this a current comic book price listing guide is absolutely essential for determining the value for comics in varying conditions.

Even if your end goal is not to sell your collection, it makes for great conversation as well as determining value for such things as home owner's property insurance. A cartoon book collection, emotional significance aside, can turn from a hobby into a monetary gain.

Comic book collecting for some individuals involves the art of selling pieces of their collection. This can be very profitable and is a great influence on the comic book market.

As new comic books are introduced and other older issues become increasingly hard to acquire, the value fluctuates. With collectors studying comic book price listing guides, there is an overall sense of direction where the hot trends will be found and helps other collectors sell their pieces for a good price.

Comic book collection software is almost essential if you want to be a competitive buyer and seller of comic books and merchandise. You can enter thousands of pieces of information into a database that is easily searchable in a matter of seconds.

Comic book collection software can also help you spot trends and prices in the market as well as patterns of particular genres. You can compare prices, time periods and other bits of information to help you make educated decisions with your cartoon book collecting practices.

Whether you are a beginning or an expert collector, this can be one of the most useful comic book collecting tools you will ever buy.

Everything you want to know about comic books is at your fingertips from Mike Selvon's portal. A free gift awaits you along with a lot more information about comic book collecting. Visit us and leave a comment at our cartoons blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon

Heroes and the Evolution of Comic Books

Heroes came out of nowhere at the beginning of this TV season and has turned into a runaway hit show. This was not entirely unexpected; NBC had a lot of confidence in Heroes from the beginning. However, no one could have legitimately expected Heroes to become the top 15 hit and ratings phenomenon that its become. Why, I suppose, is the question. Why has Heroes become such a great hit? What is the shows appeal?

Heroes is a comic book story, through and through. Regardless of what comic you believe it to be knocked off of, all comic are derivative of something or other, and Heroes certainly has its unique qualities anyway. What Heroes does better than any of the comic book adaptations before it, is actually act like a comic in its execution. Of course, Heroes is the first real comic book story to make its way to prime-time live action TV. Smallville might be considered, certainly now, but that show, from the very beginning, considered itself a teen drama. Only now is it getting deep into DC mythology.

Heroes, on the other hand, is paced like a comic book. Every episode is an epic adventure, serial in nature, that covers a wide array of characters in a methodical manner. The writers are taking their time with the story, allowing the characters and relationships to develop in a way that we haven’t yet seen in comic books.

Why haven’t we seen it, however? Why haven’t there been more attempts to bring the comic book aesthetic to television? Have there been fewer break out comic books in the past ten years? The BuddyTV article examines this question with great insight and precision.

For more resources about Heroes or even about Heroes and the Evolution of Comic Books please review http://www.buddytv.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola