How Many Pages Are in a Comic Book?

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When you buy a comic book, it normally has a set number of pages in it, and it almost always seems like it is in multiples of 4. This practice is pretty standard in the industry, but did you know why there’s a specific length or a particular number of pages in each comic book?

The number of pages in a comic is a multiple of 4, such as 24 or 32 pages. comics usually include a letter page and some advertisements, while the plot should be approximately 21-22 pages for a 24-page comic or 28-30 pages for a 32-page comic.

You are reading: How many pages are comic books

In this article, we will discuss the following:

the proper number of pages for comics.
the reason behind that specific page count.
how a graphic novel differs from comics.
some of the popular comic sizes.

let’s get started.

why do comics count pages in multiples of four?

Comic book page counts are usually multiples of four, like 8, 16, 24, etc. this may seem strange, considering that most books have a random number of pages. but why is this?

Comics have page counts in multiples of four because, when printing most bindings, the printer produces one master sheet. this contains a page count of 8, 16 or 32 on one of the sheets of paper depending on the size of your comic. the printing press cuts and staples them to form a book.

Although the page number is usually divided by four, the number of pages does not have to be a multiple of four for wire or spiral bound projects. however, board books are printed differently, requiring only two-page spreads.

printing technicians

To further elaborate on this word count requirement, each comic “page” is a section of a larger sheet printed on many pages, which are then folded into a “signature” group. three signature edges are cut for a bound book, and this is how the pages of a comic are formed.

Interestingly, the most popular total page count for a comic book is 32, including covers, as most offset printers work with 16 or 32 page signatures. you’re wasting paper if you have more or fewer pages than the signature while still spending on it.

As a result, the most profitable total page counts, including covers, for print comics are 32, 64, or 96.

other variations in the number of pages

Of course, there is a stipulation. not all offset printers use a 32 page signature as some only use 16. so you would also have the alternatives of 16, 48 and 80.

The second variation is that today’s digital printers make no effort to notify you of any of this. instead, they stick to the simple rule of four. they will publish their book if the number of pages is divisible by four to further explain this.

You’ll still be charged for wasted paper, but you’ll never know.

can you have as many pages as you want in comics?

Before the advent of digital distribution, single issue comics had to be an even issue for print shops. these days, it’s less of an issue, considering who you print/publish with.

You can have as many pages as you want in the comics. this is due to modern techniques that go into making an effort to keep the number of issues in your comic to an even number, such as 32 pages.

Also, most comics are published in a series of four to six issues. the occasional number 7 or 8 can be found, although these are uncommon.

As a result, a four-series comic with 100 words per page and 32 pages has a total word count of 12,800 words and 188 pages. these figures are not set in stone and change according to the interests and preferences of the creator of the comic.

Once you cross the line and hit 96 pages, you know you’ve entered graphic novel territory. It’s always a good idea to check with your planned digital print/publisher beforehand if they have any limits or rules.

what is the difference between comics and graphic novels?

To communicate a story, both comics and graphic novels employ a combination of graphics and text. it doesn’t matter if the narrative is fiction or non-fiction if it is about a superhero or a catastrophic event.

The difference between comics and graphic novels is mainly size and presentation. a graphic novel is typically between 60 and 500 pages long, while the average comic is 22 pages long and provides a largely self-contained plot.

the number of pages of dc or marvel comics

In today’s comics, marvel and dc have 20 pages of plot, but the comics themselves are usually 32 pages. the front cover, inside front cover, back cover, and inside back cover are four such pages.

both are made from the same material, since it’s less expensive that way.

previously, marvel/dc comics like marvel mighty marvel masterworks (available on amazon.com) tended to feature 22 plot pages, with the odd exception of a third page, usually at the price of the lyrics section.

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Indie comics can do whatever they want, but for an ongoing series, they usually stick to 20-25 plot pages in a 32-page format.

conclusion

The most common big hurdle for many comic writers trying to write comics for the first time are:

trying to put too much on one page.
the number of pages a comic has.

Publishers say comic numbers range from 20 to 30 pages, including ads, and without ads, it’s estimated at 16 to 26 pages.

The comics have a certain extension, which is around 32 pages. On the other hand, graphic novels are usually longer, between 60 and 500 pages, while the number of pages in a comic must be a multiple of four.

sources

comix well spring: how many pages does it take to print a comic?
quora: how many pages are there in a comic edition? or can you have as many as you want?
mf: comics vs. graphic novels: what’s the difference?

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How Many Pages Are in a Comic Book? – Chilkibo Publishing