Different Comic Formats

Caitlyn Woodbury

caitlyn.gabsbitesizeblogs@gmail.com

So, you’ve watched some sort of superhero media and want to read that character’s comics? But, you have no clue where to start? You research the best stories to read, but get loads of different phrases thrown at you, such as “single issue” or “omnibus”. This can be overwhelming and can often lead people to not read comics. So, here is a summary of some of the different formats to make it a little less overwhelming.

Single Issue

This is often what people think of when they think of comics. It’s more of a thin booklet of around 20-30 pages and will include one part of the ongoing storyline or run. These will come out weekly or monthly and are often around £4 from your local comic book shop. Due to the thin material it can be damaged or ripped easily, so any comic collectors will often put them in a protective sheet.

Graphic Novel

A graphic novel will include a certain number of single issues all places in one book. It will include one storyline, often around 100-200 pages. Its pages will often be slightly thicker than a single issue and will need less protection. They can often be categorised in volumes based on that comic run. This means that it will be numbered by which storyline in the whole run it is- for example, if a comic book run has 5 storylines, then there would be 5 volumes of graphic novels. Due to its bigger size, they are often priced around £15-£25.

Omnibus

These are much larger collections of issues, often containing more than one storyline. Sometimes, this can include a whole comic run, or if the run is too long, it will be separated into volumes. An omnibus will often contain hundreds, if not thousands, of pages. These are often aimed more to avid readers or super fans (or someone who loves to collect and sell comics). They are not impossible for regular readers to get; they are available at any seller. However, their price is what makes it difficult, with a range of £60-£120. Whilst single issues or graphic novels can be a monthly treat, omnibuses are something you save up for (unless you’re lucky enough to have that spare).

Compact Issues

This is more of a new format, likely inspired by the manga format. Big comic producers such as Marvel and DC are periodically releasing new “Premier” and “Compact” comics (labelled respectively). Similar to graphic novels, these contain one storyline but are reduced to smaller dimensions. The aim is to help make comics more accessible and portable. However, due to its recency, the number of storylines available is still quite limited. Additionally, many believe that the compact format can have an effect on the art. Nonetheless, it is great for people to get into comics, especially with its price of £8.99.

I hope this guide has helped your understanding of the different types of comics. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me. Until next time...