How to Make a Comic/Types of Comics

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Although most people think of superheroes when they think of comic books, there are many other genres for collectors to enjoy. Aside from superhero, the main genres of comic books are: alternative/esoteric, manga, science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, horror, humor, romance, children's, and adult. Superhero comics are most popular in the United States. Superhero comic books are similar to modern day mythology, with fantastical settings and characters with superhuman powers and abilities. Examples of superhero comics include Wonder Woman, X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, and Batman.

Alternative Comic books[edit]

Alternative/esoteric comic books are more realistic than superhero comic books, but they do not necessarily have to be real to life. Readers who want to think a bit more about what they are reading enjoy these comic books. Some are about fictional events, while others are educational or based on history. These comic books tend to receive more critical recognition and acclaim. Examples include American Splendor, Strangers in Paradise, Ghost World, and Sandman.


Manga comic books are Japanese. In the United States, these books are translated into English. With the popularity of these comic books, the style is often also produced in countries other than in Japan. Manga is the most well known comic book type worldwide.

Science Fiction/Fantasy[edit]

Science fiction comic books tell futuristic stories that incorporate advanced technology and, usually, travel through space. Many superhero comic books also fall under the science fiction category because of the superpowers and weapons they include. Nonetheless, superhero comic books belong to a category of their own.

Fantasy comic books involve fantasy creatures, swords, sorcery, and mythological figures. Some of the most successful fantasy comic books are also turned into very successful fantasy novels. An example of a fantasy comic book that has had widespread success is the Conan the Barbarian series.

Action Comic Books[edit]

Action/adventure comic books usually involve characters that do not have special powers. Rather, they are everyday people experiencing a conflict. Most of the characters, however, are detectives or police, and the story focuses on their battles against criminals.

Horror Comic Books[edit]

Horror comic books feature characters such as zombies, monsters, and vampires. These comic books tend to be gruesome and often include nudity and profanity. Humor comic books also generally contain dark themes. They are not strictly funny, as a comic strip found in the Sunday newspaper would be. Humor comic books often cross over into many different genres of comic books.

Romance/Adult Comic Books[edit]

Romance comic books involve stories about love and relationships. Many times, these comic books also cross over to other genres. In fact, comic books that are strictly about romance are no longer very common. Children’s comic books are also not that common, as most comic books are geared towards an adult audience. Comic books that are geared toward children are generally whimsical and humorous.

Adult comic books are considered the underground publications of the comic book genre. Nonetheless, there are numerous adult comic books to choose from. Many mainstream bookstores and even comic book shops do not carry this genre. Rather, most are downloaded from the Internet.