General Comic Questions

[NicoleR85]

I have a ton of general questions regarding comics and I was hoping you all might be able to answer a few. Is it ok to post here? I tried to message an admin to ask but I'm not allowed.

[SuperCooper]

What's your question? Depending on the topic it may be moved to a more specific forum (Marvel, DC, etc.) or further moved to one of the general question threads on the subforums (X-Men, Batman, Superman, and so forth).

But ask away!

[thehod]

Go ahead.


(stupid bloody ten character limit.)

[NicoleR85]

Sorry work is crazy....

I'm working at my local comic book/game store part time now but theres just so much I don't understand. I've been asking tons of questions.... so far if I understand right comics are written in a way that you could pick up any one and get the jist of the story line, if not the specifics...? I've also been filled in on who some of the characters are and how they interacted over the years with other characters. How are you supposed to help people with back issues? Maybe a new story section starts at issue 117, maybe it starts at 112. How could I know? Also, usually comics are usually sealed in plastic. So getting an idea of whats inside is a pain especially if you haven't heard of the title. Do you just have to literally read one of each and just know what they are? It took me a couple years before I started reading them because everytime I'd walk into a store it was WAY too overwelming looking at a wall of comics and knowing where to start.... and the people working in the stores have a hard time helping you if you don't know anything. Anyway, I just want to help the store sell more but I don't know where to start...

[The Black Guardian]

Sorry work is crazy....

I'm working at my local comic book/game store part time now but theres just so much I don't understand. I've been asking tons of questions.... so far if I understand right comics are written in a way that you could pick up any one and get the jist of the story line, if not the specifics...?

Some are. Some are not. This used to be the way stories were generally written. Marvel and DC tended to have the philosophy that "every issue was someone's first issue," and plotted accordingly. However, these days it's not as common.

I've also been filled in on who some of the characters are and how they interacted over the years with other characters. How are you supposed to help people with back issues? Maybe a new story section starts at issue 117, maybe it starts at 112. How could I know?

Knowledge bits like this are not going to come overnight. There are even lots of diehard fans that get it wrong. A lot of this information can be found on the Internet these days, through Wiki and various other database sites.

Also, usually comics are usually sealed in plastic. So getting an idea of whats inside is a pain especially if you haven't heard of the title. Do you just have to literally read one of each and just know what they are? It took me a couple years before I started reading them because everytime I'd walk into a store it was WAY too overwelming looking at a wall of comics and knowing where to start.... and the people working in the stores have a hard time helping you if you don't know anything. Anyway, I just want to help the store sell more but I don't know where to start...

As long as a person knows how to swim/read, then it's best to ignore the overwhelming appearance and dive in.

[tonythelion]

How are you supposed to help people with back issues? Maybe a new story section starts at issue 117, maybe it starts at 112. How could I know? Also, usually comics are usually sealed in plastic. So getting an idea of whats inside is a pain especially if you haven't heard of the title. Do you just have to literally read one of each and just know what they are?

I way I use to see what issues form a particular story arc is the Comixology iPad app. It gives you a brief description, and tells you what story arc it belongs to. For example, Batman #13 on there has the description

"Death of the Family" part 1 featuring the return of the Joker! He crippled Batgirl. He killed Robin. What will the Joker do now that he's returned to Gotham City? And what must Batman do to protect his secret identity and that of those who fight alongside him?

So you know it's part 1 of a new story