Types of comics
explained with examples
Comic strip, short comic, graphic novel, manga, webtoon… Learn the types of comics by format, genre and audience, with examples of each one and what it is good for.
EVERY STORY!
A comic is a story told with images in sequence, usually inside panels with text in bubbles and captions. But not all comics are alike: a four-panel newspaper strip and a 300-page graphic novel are two very different types of comics.
Comics can be classified in three ways: by format (how long they are and where they are published), by genre (what they are about) and by audience (who they are for). Knowing the types helps you choose what to make for a school assignment or for your own series.
💡 Comic, comic strip or manga?
“Comic” is the general term, a “comic strip” is a short newspaper-style comic, and “manga” is the name for Japanese comics.
Types of comics by format
Comic strip
1 to 4 panels in a single row with a punchline at the end. The newspaper format: Peanuts, Garfield or Calvin and Hobbes. Ideal to start: try a 4 panel template.
Short or one-shot comic
A complete story in a few pages, with a beginning, middle and end. The one most requested at school. Read examples in short comics.
Serialized comic
The story continues issue after issue or chapter after chapter, like superhero comics or magazine series.
Graphic novel
A long, self-contained story published as a book, often with deeper themes. Examples: Maus, Persepolis.
Webcomic and webtoon
Comics published online. Webtoons use a vertical strip you read by scrolling on your phone.
Single panel or cartoon
A single image with a short caption, widely used for gag cartoons and political cartoons.
Silent comic
Tells the story without dialogue, using only images, gestures and sound effects.
Manga
Japanese comics: read right to left, almost always in black and white and published in chapters.
Photo comic
Uses photographs instead of drawings, with speech bubbles. Make one by uploading your photos to the comic maker.
Types of comics by genre
- Humor: meant to make you laugh; usually short and ending in a joke.
- Adventure: journeys, mysteries and characters overcoming danger.
- Superhero: characters with powers who protect others. Invent yours with our superhero ideas.
- Horror: builds suspense and fear with shadows and surprises. See horror ideas.
- Science fiction: imagines the future, technology or life on other planets.
- Educational: explains a subject (science, history, values) visually. Very common in class: see the ideas by topic.
- Historical: tells past events or traditional legends.
- Comics journalism: tells a real news story or report in panels.
- Autobiographical: the author tells their own life or a personal experience.
- Romance: focused on relationships and the characters' feelings.
📖 Read every genre
At historietas.app you can read free comics by independent creators in every genre in genres.
Types of comics by audience
Children's
Simple drawings, bright colors, little text and positive messages. See comics for kids.
Young readers
Adventure, humor, friendship and first love; many shōnen and shōjo manga belong here.
Adult
Complex themes, social criticism, history or violence; graphic novels often fall into this group.
Summary: which type of comic to choose
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of comics?
By format: comic strip, short comic, serialized comic, graphic novel, webcomic, single-panel cartoon, silent comic, manga and photo comic. By genre: humor, adventure, superhero, horror, science fiction, educational, historical, journalism and autobiographical.
What is the difference between a comic and a comic strip?
A comic strip is one type of comic: very short (1 to 4 panels in a row) and almost always funny. A comic can be any length.
Which type of comic is easiest to make?
A 4 panel comic strip or a 6 panel short comic. Check out our easy comics to draw with scripts.
What are the parts of a comic?
Panels, gutters, speech bubbles, captions, sound effects, motion lines and visual metaphors. We explain them in elements of a comic.
Make your comic now
Put this guide into practice in our free comic maker: pick the panels, upload your drawings or photos and add bubbles and sound effects. No sign-up and nothing to install.
Make a comic