Comic Glossary

Floppy or single - A single issue comic book which is printed in limited numbers.

• Regular Variants- This is any cover that is not the main cover to an issue, printed on an open to order basis. This means retailers can order as many as they like from the publisher and quantity limits are not based on order numbers of a series or issue. These variants are generally the same price as the main cover on the retail market, unless a higher price has been set by the Publisher.

• Ratio/Incentive Variants - These are covers printed in much smaller numbers, often making them scarcer to find, and therefore in greater demand. Retailers are limited to the number they can order, generally based on how many they order of the main cover, but sometimes as few as one per store.

Mini-Series - A comic book series with a planned ending. They most commonly last between 4 and 8 issues, although they can be as long as 12 issues.

One-Shot - A one off issue or story.

Ongoing - A continuing comic book series, mostly shipped on a monthly schedule.

TP - Trade Paperback - A softcover collection of comic books, sometimes also referred to as SC, or softcover, or GN, Graphic Novel.

Digest - These are collected editions that are smaller in size, generally the format is for All Ages titles, however not exclusively.

HC - Hardcover - A hardcover collection of comic books.

Omnibus - Large hardcover collections that typically collect an entire series or creative run or at the very least 20-30 issues.

OGN - Original Graphic Novel - A story only published in TP or HC format

MMPB - Mass Market Paperback - Softcover novels, all words no pictures. BORING.

Standing Order - A service provided by KINGS, where we put specific titles aside for customers. In order to set up a standing order we require a minimum of 4 ongoing titles and a valid credit/debit card. Also referred to as a Pull List.

Kings Premier Club Card - A membership card that entitles you to 10% off all products (excluding sale items and movie screenings) for a calendar year. A Premier Club Card costs $25.00

Continuity - The comic book canon that has been established throughout a title or publishing history.

Ret Con - Retroactive Continuity - Changing a character's back story to fit into a current storyline. i.e. Green Lantern: Secret Origin, Hal Jordan's origin story was changed to include the character Atrocitus whose first appearance was in 2008, almost 40 years after Hal Jordan was originally introduced.

Reboot - When a series relaunches with a new number 1 in a new continuity.

Relaunch - When a series relaunches with a new number 1 in the same continuity.

Crossover - When a story goes across multiple titles. In some cases this can be tied into larger publisher-wide event that will go across not only multiple titles, but often multiple issues as well.

PX - Previews Exclusive - Only available in specialty comic book stores.

Golden Age - Late 1930's to the early 50's - The Golden age of Comics is the period in American comics associated with the beginning of Superhero comics. The Golden Age saw the first appearances of characters like Superman, Captain Marvel, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Captain America, The Sub Mariner, and many more heroes who are still popular today. These books are exceedingly rare and often the most sought after by collectors.

Silver Age - Mid 50's to the 70's - The Silver Age is most well-known for the revitalization of Superhero Comics, and the rise of Marvel Comics. DC Comics modernised many of their heroes most notably The Flash and Green Lantern, and perhaps more importantly created the first super team with the formation of the Justice League of America. With the release of Fantastic Four #1 in 1961, Marvel also joined the scene, with a new and extremely innovative style of storytelling. The Silver Age features a rash of cornerstone, key issues, and first appearances. Though not as rare as many Golden Age books, many of these issues are still highly regarded by collectors.

Bronze Age - 70's to the early 80's - The Bronze Age is most notably associated with Superheroes tackling real world issues. Some famous examples include; the Speedy taking heroine issue (Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85), the "Death of Gwen Stacey" (Amazing Spider-Man #122), and the ever unpopular "New" Wonder Woman by Dennis O'Neil (Wonder Woman #178). This era also saw the revival of the Super Team, the most notable of which was the fantastic New Teen Titans run by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, the return of the X-Men, and the continued success of The Avengers and JLA. 

Modern Age - Mid 80's to Today - The modern age is pretty much what you see on the shelf, and in the back issue bins. Books from this time period are plentiful, on occasion excessively so. Many books, especially those from the insane half a million copy print run 90s, are extremely de-valued, in most cases well below cover price. Someday in the future we might get a metal related moniker, who knows, The Nickel Age? The Aluminium Age? Maybe even the Holofoil Age?