Why Are Comic Books Printed At Such An Odd Size?

American comics are printed at a size, unlike any other printed matter. Why is that?
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[@darlalathan6143]

Action Comics No. 1 was a 1930s Golden Age comic. It was worth 10 cents then, but costs $2 million now!

[@ScottSerkland]

I know. It’s crazy when you think about it!

[@mydrynphillippe7530]

The issue gets even worse with manga that go from the size of a current Marvel/DC on the first print and be reduced down to the size of a paperback novel at 7 1/2 to 6in tall when reissued as a graphic novel. As a side question, I'm having trouble getting my head around how the bleed area works and how much of that area ends up in the final product.

[@ScottSerkland]

True, but manga is still at a common digest size unlike American comics. For bleed I usually factor in an extra 1/4 inch all the way around to be safe.

[@ddexpress]

The strange journey of comic book art sizes. Neat little video on that. STill gives me trouble when trying to make my own guidelines for it. I would prefer to draw larger as drawing smaller is quicker, but it makes it a challenge in throwing in details which would otherwise be easier at a larger size. It also makes the art look a little more sloppy and rough I feel- great for horror and anyone interested in that particular look though.

[@ScottSerkland]

Yeah, there are both pros to working large or small and cons.

[@tylerblakeart4810]

If that was really an Action Comics #1 you'd still be making comics for the love of it... but on a beach :D

[@ScottSerkland]

True!

[@tedbragg74]

American comics spun out of newspapers, and were printed on the edges and ends of newsroll (that’d normally just get trimmed as waste) and that size fit perfectly. Over time the giant sheet sizes changed to maximize shorter press runs and comics followed suit. Japanese Manga is the size it is, due to similar reasons - their presses run a lot narrower. The final trim size reflect this optimization

[@ScottSerkland]

Thank you for you insight. That’s helpful information.

[@Michael-ns1ey]

An A4 sheet is about 29.7 x 21cm, give or take a millimetre. In inches: 11 11/16 x 8 5/16. I'm in the UK, and I wish we had the American 8 x 11" paper - I prefer those proportions. Also, the proportions of Golden Age comics are the most 'homely' and loveable, in my opinion. They are nice to hold and handle. I gather imperial measurements are based on real things - feet, hand spans, finger lengths, etc - so they feel more 'human', whereas metric measurements are abstract, so have maybe a 'colder' feel.

[@ScottSerkland]

Thanks for clarifying Michael. I always assumed A4 was the same as a standard America letter sized paper (8.5 " x 11")

[@thomasvillage267]

This guy is truly amazing ,his channel is one of the most interesting channels I’ve seen that are actually a lot of help, he’s underrated ,it’s a shame he left KZbin

[@ScottSerkland]

Thank you for the kind words. That is high praise. I do hope to be back soon with new and different content. I just need a break to figure things out.

[@thomasvillage267]

@@ScottSerkland I'm glad you thought so , I enjoy your channel alot , but I can see how stressfully and time consuming it would also be , I'm only a kid and I'm printing off my own comics book Wich I've pencilled , scanned in and inked on the drawing tablet I asked for for my birthday Wich was an XP pen Wich was cheaper than quite a few and I'm using the kraftone true grit texture supply to color each page and it's taken me 3 months but I'm trying my hardest toget one done , the only problem I keep coming across is the size and I only have A4 paper that I found online with a nice golden age comic texture , I was trying to just print the pages off double sided and stick the prices of paper together and staple it , how exactly do you do your comics or do you have any advice on this or of any of it ? thanks

[@franciscopacheco1504]

I don't have access to a computer I'm doing my whole comic book traditional all hand drawn but I'm having a problem for printers to print my comic book.They tell me I have to digitize it is there a way I can print mycomic book the " traditional" way

[@ScottSerkland]

Most printers nowadays only work from digital files. It’s an added expense but if you don’t have a way to photograph or scan your work you would need to take it to someone who can. I would imagine even a copy shop should have the ability to scan your art. But even in the old days traditional art had to be taken to a service bureau to be photographed. Depending on the size of your art you might be able to go the mini comic or zine route and paste up your pages and print them out on a xerox machine.

[@ThomasSchannel]

How did they use to get the drawing onto the plates for printing? Basically how did the printing work?

[@ScottSerkland]

That's something you will probably have to research on your own. I am definitely not an expert in that area.

[@ThomasSchannel]

@@ScottSerkland fair enough

[@benjfischer]

This guy drinks way too much coffee. Why are comic books this size?

[@ScottSerkland]

That's all-natural enthusiasm. No coffee necessary.

[@tylerblakeart4810]

I really prefer to work big, I'm going to start doing individual panels that will make a 15.5 x 24 page

[@ScottSerkland]

Sounds like a good idea.

[@chuzzbot]

Do a show about sizes and then only speak in ducats, furlongs and barleycorns. The American Empire dying like a fart in the wind.

[@ScottSerkland]

sorry to disappoint

[@zambot3325]

This guy is 80 years too late

[@ScottSerkland]

Thanks for the feedback

[@CaptainShamrock]

I love you but get to the point already lol

[@johnlabry325]

Bro lol

[@ScottSerkland]

I will be moving towards creating more fast pace highly edited format in the future, but for know this is what you get. I'd offer you your money back but it's free so I don't know what to tell you.