- European comics
European comics is a generalized terms for comics produced in
Continental Europe . Though technically European,British comics are for historical and cultural reasons considered separate from European comics due to the existence of a well-established domestic market and traditions which more closely resemble the development ofAmerican comics .Though many purely European
comic books exist, the "comic album" is a very common printed medium. The typical "album" is printed in large format, generally with high quality paper and colouring, roughly A4-sized, approx. 22x29 centimetres (8.4x11.6 in), has around 40-60 pages, but examples with more than 100 pages are common. In Anglo-Saxon terminology these would be calledgraphic novel s, but this term is rarely used in Europe, and is not always applicable as albums often consist of separate short stories, placing them somewhere halfway between a comic book and a graphic novel. The European comic genres vary from the humorous adventure vein (such as Tintin andAsterix ), especially in its earliest forms, to more adult subjects.History
The roots of European comics can be found as early as 18th century
caricature s and later with precursors in the form of illustrated picture books likeWilhelm Busch 'Max and Moritz . The early 19th century Swiss artistRodolphe Töpffer is regarded by many as the "father of the modern comic" and his publication "Histoire de M. Vieux Bois " is sometimes called the first "comic book". [McCloud, Scott, "". New York: Harper Collins & Kitchen Sink Press. 1994. ISBN 0-06-097625-X, pg 17.]Franco-Belgian comics are historically among the dominant scenes of European comics. It started inBelgium in the 1920s, followed quickly byFrance . In later years,manga has become successful, and as a consequence many French and German artists are now drawing comics in manga style.ee also
*
Franco-Belgian comics
*Belgian comics
*British comics
*Czech comics
*Dutch Comics
*German comics
*Italian comics
*Serbian comics
*Polish comics
*Hungarian comics References
External links
* [http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/exhibit.htm The European Comics Collection Introductory Exhibit, Michigan State University Libraries]
* [http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/117591395470871.htm Interview with Bart Beaty, author of "Unpopular Culture: Transforming the European Comic Book in the 1990s"]
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