Comic

Comic is a term with several related meanings in literature and media. As an adjective, it describes something humorous or pertaining to comedy. As a noun, it can refer to a comedian, a performer who entertains with jokes, or to a work of humorous entertainment. In common usage, comics or the comics denote the medium of sequential art.

Origin and usage: from Late Latin comicus, via Greek komikos, meaning "of comedy." The term expanded in English to cover both the quality of humor and the artistic medium of sequential art, including comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels.

Forms and terminology: comics typically present panels with artwork and dialogue in speech balloons or captions; pacing and layout are crucial. Major formats include newspaper comic strips, single-issue comic books, and longer graphic novels. Manga refers to Japanese comics; webcomics are distributed online.

History and scope: modern comics arose from satirical prints and illustrated magazines in the 19th century, expanding into serialized newspaper strips in the early 20th century. The 1930s–1950s saw the rise of superhero comics in the United States. Global traditions include Franco-Belgian bandes dessinées, Japanese manga, and diverse strands of graphic nonfiction and memoir.

Impact and reception: comics span many genres, from humor to fantasy to reportage. They have influenced visual storytelling, animation, and popular culture, and are studied for art, narrative, and sociocultural significance.