Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics/References

A selection of resources to help provide reliable sources and prove notability

Awards

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Sales

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Magazines/Journals

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Books

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Contact User:Hiding if you require access to:

Contact User:Curly Turkey if you require access to

  • The Comics Journal #27–184, 200, 205, 210, 225, 227, 250, 301 or The Comics Journal Library volume 7 (Harvey Kurtzman):
Sortable table
Name Publisher Year Reliability Citation Owners
The Language of Comics: Word and Image University Press of Mississippi 2001 Reliable, University published collection of essays by a number of contributors writing on the comics form, including David Kunzle on the 1880's French caricature magazine Le Chat Noir, Robert C. Harvey on the gag cartoon and Gene Kannenberg, Jr. on Chris Ware Varnum, Robin & Gibbons, Christina T. (ed.) ''The Language of Comics: Word and Image'' (University Press of Mississippi, 222 pages, 2001, ISBN 1578064147) Hiding
Understanding Comics second Kitchen Sink edition Kitchen Sink Press 1993 Reliable source for McCloud's theories of the comics form [[Scott McCloud|McCloud, Scott]] ''Understanding Comics'' (Kitchen Sink Press, 224 pages, second edition, July 1993, ISBN 006097625X) Hiding
Comics Ideology: Power and the Critics Manchester University Press 1989 Reliable academic source. Barker examines media influence on British comics, particularly Action (comics) Barker, Martin ''Comics Ideology: Power and the Critics'' ([[Manchester University Press]], 320 pages, 1989, ISBN 0719025893) Hiding
Strips, Toons and Bluesies Princeton Architectural Press 2006 Reliable source which looks at the intertwined origins of both comics and animation, and also covers American Underground comix. Dowd, Douglas Bevan & Hignite, Todd ''Strips, Toons and Bluesies'' ([[Princeton Architectural Press]], 224 pages, 2006, ISBN 1568986211) Hiding
Arguing Comics University Press of Mississippi 2004 Reliable, academically published collection of previously published essays. Includes Umberto Eco's essay on Superman, as well as E. E. Cummings on Krazy Kat, Thomas Mann on Frans Masereel and contributions from Dorothy Parker & Marshall McLuhan amongst others Heet, Jeer & Worcester, Kent (ed.) ''Arguing Comics'' ([[University Press of Mississippi]], 176 pages, 2004, ISBN 1578066875) Hiding
McSweeney's 13 McSweeney's Ltd 2004 Reliable source, includes introduction and essay on Rodolphe Töpffer by Chris Ware alongside essays from John Updike on the form and others [[Chris Ware|Ware, Chris]] (ed.) ''McSweeney's Quarterly Concern'' ([[McSweeney's|McSweeney's Ltd]], 263 pages, hardcover, issue 13, May 2004, ISBN 1932416080) Hiding
Comics & Sequential Art Will Eisner's first book on the comics form, influence on McCloud's Understanding Comics. Reliable source for Eisner's opinions, major thinker in comics. [[Will Eisner|Eisner, Will]], ''Comics & Sequential Art'' Hiding
Graphic Storytelling Will Eisner's second book on the comics form, influence on McCloud's Understanding Comics. Reliable source for Eisner's opinions, major thinker in comics. [[Will Eisner|Eisner, Will]] ''Graphic Storytelling'' Hiding
Masters of Comic Book Art Overview of a number of comics artists. Euro-centric, covers Frank Bellamy amongst others. Reliable source of opinion on the covered artists. Hiding
The Comics Before 1945 Brian Walker's history of American comic strips. Reliable source. Covers strips pre 1945. [[Brian Walker|Walker, Brian]] ''The Comics Before 1945'' Hiding
The Comics Since 1945 Brian Walker's history of American comic strips. Reliable source. Covers strips pre 1945. [[Brian Walker|Walker, Brian]] ''The Comics Since 1945'' Hiding
The Great Comic Book Artists Reliable source for Ron Goulart's opinions of comic book artists. Goulart is a well respected, widely published author on comics. Slanted towards mid eighties, and not of great in-depth coverage, but reliable for what facts and opinion there are. [[Ron Goulart|Goulart, Ron]] ''The Great Comic Book Artists'' Hiding
The Great Comic Book Artists: Volume Two Reliable source for Ron Goulart's opinions of comic book artists. Goulart is a well respected, widely published author on comics. Slanted towards mid eighties, and not of great in-depth coverage, but reliable for what facts and opinion there are. [[Ron Goulart|Goulart, Ron]] ''The Great Comic Book Artists: Volume Two'' Hiding
Masters of American Comics Companion book to the exhibition which toured America. Very reliable source, valuable essays on the creators exhibited and a decent overview of the comics form. ''Masters of American Comics'' Hiding
Alternative Comics Charles Hatfield's academically published overview of the Alternative comic book scene in America. Reliable source, Hatfield a recognised comics scholar. [[Charles Hatfield|Hatfield, Charles]] ''Alternative Comics: An Emerging Literature'' Hiding
Sixty Years of the World's Favourite Comic Book Heroes Virgin Books Les Daniels DC authorised overview of their more notable characters. Reliable source for publication details, creative decisions and the like. [[Les Daniels|Daniels, Les]] ''Sixty Years of the World's Favourite Comic Book Heroes'' ([[Virgin Books]]) Hiding
Great British Comics Paul Gravett's survey of British Comics. Useful evaluation of the history, and also some commentary on a number of strips and magazines. Reliable, Gravett widely published, curates the Institute of Contemporary Arts Comica festival and is a respected author on the field. [[Paul Gravett|Gravett, Paul]] ''Great British Comics'' Hiding
The Essential Guide to World Comics Decent summary of comics across the world. Reliable, published by a well established company. ''The Essential Guide to World Comics'' Hiding
Graphic Novels Paul Gravett's survey of Graphic Novels. Doesn't really tackle the form itself, but vast commentary on a number of graphic novels regardless of publication format. Reliable, Gravett widely published, curates the Institute of Contemporary Arts Comica festival and is a respected author on the field. [[Paul Gravett|Gravett, Paul]] ''Graphic Novels'' Hiding
Dangerous Drawings Collection of interviews, including those conducted with Dan Clowes, Chris Ware, Art Spiegelman, Julie Doucet and Dan Clowes. Reliable source of opinion on those interviewed. ''Dangerous Drawings'' Hiding
The Great Comic Book Heroes Jules Feiffer's essays on a number of comic book heroes and what makes them work. Valuable book, reliable, cited by scholars in the field. [[Feiffer, Jules|Jules Feiffer]] ''The Great Comic Book Heroes'' Hiding
Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels Roger Sabin's second study of comics. Good comprehensive overview of comics. [[Sabin, Roger|Roger Sabin]] ''Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels'' Hiding
Adult Comics: An Introduction Roger Sabin's first overview of comics, written after Maus, Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns started to challenge perceptions of comics. Good overview of comics, advances a number of positions, reliable source on development of comics and Sabin's ideas. Sabin a published author within the field. [[Sabin, Roger|Roger Sabin]] ''Adult Comics: An Introduction'' Hiding
Pictures and Words Hiding
The Penguin Book of Comics Penguin Books Second printing. Decent if limited overview of comics as a form and the history. Reliable, published by well established company. ''The Penguin Book of Comics'' ([[Penguin Books|Pengin]]) Hiding
Will Eisner's Shop Talk Dark Horse Comics Will Eisner discusses the comics form with a number of creators, including Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Gil Kane. Reliable source for opinions of the form and of opinions and biographical detail of the creators and themselves. [[Will Eisner|Eisner, Will]] ''Will Eisner's Shop Talk'' ([[Dark Horse Comics]]) Hiding
Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko Fantagraphics Books 2008 Blake Bell's book regarding Steve Ditko. Good source on Ditko. [[Blake Bell|Bell, Blake]] ''Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko'' ([[Fantagraphics Books]], 2008) Hiding
Kirby Mark Evanier's book on Jack Kirby. Evanier is a widely published author, book is a good source of data on Kirby. [[Mark Evanier|Evanier, Mark]] ''Kirby'' Hiding
Thrill-Power Overload [2] Rebellion Developments 2007 Pretty reliable history of 2000 AD, from an ex-editor and based on extensive interviews. Might not count as truly independent but doesn't pull punches {{cite book |title=[[Thrill Power Overload]] |last=Bishop |first=David |authorlink=David Bishop |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=[[Rebellion Developments]] |location= |isbn=1-905437-22-6 |page= |pages=260 |url= }} Emperor
Our Gods Wear Spandex [3] Weiser 2007 Looking a the occult background of various comics, some of it is his opinion and interpretation but it also well referenced with interesting (and obscure material). {{cite book |title=[[Our Gods Wear Spandex]]: The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes |last=Knowles |first=Christopher |authorlink=Christopher Knowles (comics) |others=Illustrated by [[Joseph Michael Linsner]] |year=2007 |publisher=[[Red Wheel Weiser Conari|Weiser]] |location= |isbn=1578634067 |page= |pages=256 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=93Mv-1R5yskC }} Emperor
Holy Superheroes! Westminster John Knox Press 2007 Looks at the religious messages/interpretations of superheroes {{cite book |title=Holy Superheroes!: Exploring the Sacred in Comics, Graphic Novels, and Film |last=Garrett |first=Greg |authorlink=Greg Garrett (writer) |others= |year=2007 |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |location= |isbn=0664231918 |page= |pages=216 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=as3FxsVLPeAC }} Ntnon
Comics: Between the Panels Dark Horse Comics 1998 A self-proclaimed incomplete (aren't they all?) history of the comics industry, through the eyes the people who were there. Anecdotal in tone, comprehensive in scope. Invaluable. Duin, Steve & Richardson, Mike Comics: Between the Panels (Dark Horse, 498 pages, hardback, 1998, ISBN 1-56971-344-8) Ntnon
The Science of Superheroes John Wiley & Sons 2002 Gives a good overview of the scientific explanations put forward to explain superpowers - very useful for sourcing the "Powers and abilities" section {{cite book |title=The Science of Superheroes |last=Gresh |first=Lois H. |authorlink= |coauthors=[[Robert Weinberg (author)|Robert Weinberg]], [[Dean Koontz]] |year=2002 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |isbn=0471024600 |pages=224 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=TCv0LyEnzsUC }} Ntnon
The Science of Supervillains John Wiley & Sons 2005 Gives a good overview of the scientific explanations put forward to explain superpowers - very useful for sourcing the "Powers and abilities" section {{cite book |title=The Science of Supervillains |last=Gresh |first=Lois H. |authorlink= |coauthors=[[Robert Weinberg (author)|Robert Weinberg]] |year=2005 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |isbn=0471482056 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sS4V9CKB7TYC }} Ntnon
The Comics University Press of Mississippi 1947 Earliest historical overview of American comic strips (and a bit about comic books at the end) {{cite book |title=The Comics |last=Waugh |first=Coulton |authorlink=Coulton Waugh |year=1947 |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |isbn=9780878054992 |url=http://books.google.co.jp/books?id=fm8mRsBP3YkC }} Curly Turkey
Invaders from the North: How Canada Conquered the Comic Book Universe Dundurn Press 2006 As of 2013, the latest and most thorough history of Canadian comics {{cite book|last=Bell|first=John|authorlink=John Bell (historian)|title=Invaders from the North: How Canada Conquered the Comic Book Universe|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jLju98T3PQMC|year=2006|publisher=[[Dundurn Press]]|isbn=978-1-55002-659-7}} Curly Turkey

Other reference works

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The following is an incomplete list of reference works that are believed to be of use:

  • Mike Benton, The Comic Book in America Taylor Publishing 1989
  • Eddie Campbell, alec: how to be an artist Eddie Campbell Comics 2001
  • David Collier, The Aesthetics of Comics
  • Les Daniels Comix, A History of Comic Books in America Bonanza Books 1971
  • Will Eisner Comics and Sequential Art Poorhouse Press 1985
  • Will Eisner Graphic Storytelling Poorhouse Press 1995
  • Mark Estren A History of Underground Comics Straight Arrow Press 1987
  • Ron Goulart Over 50 Years of American Comic Books Publications International 1991
  • Ron Goulart The Funnies: 100 Years of American Comic Strips
  • R. C. Harvey The Art of the Comic Book: an Aesthetic History University of Mississippi 1995
  • R. C. Harvey The Art of the Funnies: an Aesthetic History University of Mississippi 1994
  • Maurice Horn ed. The World Encyclopedia of Comics Avon 1977
  • Gerard Jones & Will Jacobs The Comic Book Heroes Prima 1996
  • David Kunzle A History of the Comic Strip University of California 1973 and 1989
  • Harvey Kurtzman From Aargh to Zap! Prentice Hall 1991
  • Rick Marschall America’s Great Comic Strip Artists Cross River Press 1989
  • Scott McCloud Understanding Comics - the Invisible Art HarperCollins 1994
  • Scott McCloud Reinventing Comics HarperCollins 2000
  • Trina Robbin A Century of Women Cartoonists Kitchen Sink 1992
  • Roger Sabin Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels: a History of Comic Art Phaidon 1996
  • ed. Bill Blackbeard & M. Williams The Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics Smithsonian Institution 1988
  • ed. Bill Blackbeard & Dale Crain The Comic Strip Century two-volume slipcased collection Kitchen Sink 1995
  • ed. Gary Groth & R. Fiore The New Comics Berkley Books 1988
  • The Comics Journal magazine

External lists of relevant books

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Bibliographical help

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Reliable online column archives

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Databases, indices, and other such websites

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  • The Grand Comics Database - as a tertiary source, it is unwise to use it to support any specific detail as its details are drawn from the actual comics so it is usually better to use the primary source (as there is always the potential for errors to sneak in). Note that the name changed from The Grand Comic-Book Database to The Grand Comics Database in December 2009.
  • Comic Book DB - another tertiary source like the GCDB, with similar caveats
  • Toonopedia - Don Markstein's Toonopedia, often contains useful in-depth articles, especially focusing on older American comics and comic strips.
  • Comiclopedia, at Lambiek - short but usually accurate biographies, especially useful for non-US comic creators (where English-language material can be thin on the ground), good breadth of coverage
  • Comixjoint, a good source for information and reviews of underground comix. The depth and amount of information used in each article differs from comic to comic, but is generally good.
  • International Catalogue of Superheroes, similar to the Marvel Appendix below (doublecheck as they often use material from there and it is better to use the original) with excellent breadth of coverage, especially useful for non-US characters
  • Bedetheque, very useful for Franco-Belgian comics and language skills needn't be a problem - just enter the search term in the box labelled "rechercher" (the results are well laid out and you should be able to find what you want - if not ask for help at WT:CMC. Just remember to use {{fr icon}} to flag that it isn't in English
  • BDoubliées, similar to the above. Quickest access might be through the search.
  • The Comic Strip Project: Credits
  • National Cartoonists Society (Members' mini-bios)

For those no longer with us we can access other sources (see Jack Kirby for an example of these in use:

Also to cut down on external links use the Open Directory Project (following WP:ELMAYBE), using {{dmoz}}:

  • Comics, click the subsections and then use the letters to navigate to the right page

Templates

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There are templates which can help add references to databases (which can help satisfy WP:V) so using the example from Hulk (comics)#References:

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=character|id=397|title=Hulk}}
* {{gcdb|type=character|search=Hulk|title=Hulk}}
{{refend}}

For the order and naming of the sections at the end of an article, see: WP:LAYOUT#Standard appendices and descriptions.