September 25
- National One-Hit Wonder Day
- National Comic Book Day
- National Lobster Day
- National Tune-Up Day
- National Research Administrator Day
- Math Storytelling Day
- National Women’s Health & Fitness Day– Last Wednesday in September
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NATIONAL COMIC BOOK DAY
Every year on September 25th, National Comic Book Day honors the art, artists and the stories of comic books. Fans, collectors, readers and artists come together to celebrate the day with events across the country.
First popularized in the United States, comic books are also called comic magazines. Generally, comic books produce drawn sequential and opposing panels representing individual scenes. Each scene often includes descriptive prose and written narratives. When placed together, the panels form a complete store or a portion of a serial.
The earliest comic strips, (which later gave birth to comic books), dialogue displayed in bubbles or balloons above characters’ heads. The art form weaves intricate designs. For example, text, dialogue, personalities, color and imagery developed part of a storyline. Over time, these storylines distinguish eras, artists, genres and themes.
People who collect comic books are known as pannapictagraphist.
The term “comic book” comes from the first book sold as a book reprinted of humorous comic strips. Despite their name, comic books are not all humorous in tone and feature stories in all genres.
One of the earliest known comics printed was The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. The 1842 hardcover comic book became the first known American comic book.
In 1896, a comic-book magazine was published in the United States featuring The Yellow Kid in a sequence titled “McFadden’s Row of Flats.” The 196-page book featured black and white print and measured 5×7 inches. It sold for 50 cents.
In 1933, a comic book, Famous Funnies, appeared in the United States. Many believe the work to be the first real comic book. The reprinting of earlier newspaper comic strips established many of the story-telling devices used in comics.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalComicBookDay
This dynamic art form continues to inspire artists and storytellers today. Try sharing your collections and artwork to spread the love. Attend a convention or visit a comic book store. Maybe you’ll discover a great find. Study the art of comic books. Explore the styles and artistry. Read about the history and how the medium changed and evolved.
Learn about the careers of Steve Ditko, John Buscema, Curt Swan or Carmine Infantino. Tell us who your favorite comic book artist or storyteller is.
Pick up a comic book to read and use #NationalComicBookDay to post on social media.
Educators, visit the National Day Calendar classroom for projects designed to include the days in your classroom.
