If you’re wondering and also trying to figure out the reason why they are called comics, then you’re in the right place.
Let’s take a fun and easy trip through history to figure this out. I’ll also share a few personal thoughts along the way, just like I would if we were sitting on a couch, geeking out over our favorite books.
Where It All Began
To understand the origin of comics, we have to travel back to the 1800s and early 1900s. At that time, newspapers were a huge part of daily life.
People didn’t have smartphones, YouTube, or even television. The newspaper was everything. It told the news, showed the weather, and even included something called “comic strips.”
These comic strips were short, funny stories told in pictures. Most of the time, they were about silly characters who got into weird situations.
One popular example was The Yellow Kid, a comic strip from the 1890s that many people consider one of the first modern comics.
Because these stories were meant to make people laugh, they were called “comic strips.” That word “comic” comes from “comedy.”
Over time, even when comics started telling more serious stories, people still used the name. Then, if comics today can be about superheroes, war, heartbreak, or survival, why do we still use the name comics at all?
Here’s the real reason…
The name stuck !!!
Just like how we still say “phone” even though our phones are basically mini-computers now, the term “comics” never changed. Once people got used to saying it, it became a category of its own.
Even though today’s comics cover deep topics and serious themes, the original label has stayed the same out of habit and tradition.
When Comics Became More Than Just Funny
As the 1900s went on, comics began to evolve. In the 1930s and 1940s, superheroes like Superman and Batman entered the scene.
These stories weren’t funny at all, they were bold, full of action, and sometimes even tragic. Still, they were printed in what people called “comic books.”
Even when Marvel and DC brought in characters who dealt with grief, pain, or power struggles, the term “comics” never went away.
This means that, we might not laugh while reading about Spider-Man’s personal loss or the X-Men’s battles for equality, but we can still call these stories comics.
How the World Sees Comics Now
Nowadays, comics are everywhere. You’ll find webcomics online, graphic novels in libraries, and comic book movies dominating Hollywood.
They’ve grown far beyond just being “funny pages.”
Other Words People Use Instead of “Comics”
Even though “comics” is the popular name, some folks use other terms to be more clear. Such words include…
Graphic Novels – These are longer comic stories in book form.
Manga – This refers to Japanese comic books.
Webtoons – These are digital comics that you read on your phone.
These words help people describe what kind of comic it is, but in the end, they all come from the same family. Still, the original term “comics” always seems to come back.
Are They Still Funny Today?
Sometimes, yes!
There are still some that make us laugh, especially strips like Garfield, Peanuts, or The Far Side.
But today, they cover every emotion. Some make you cry. Others make you think. And a few will just completely blow your mind with how deep the story goes.
So the word “comic” might not describe every story perfectly, but it still connects everything, from superheroes to slice-of-life tales.
My Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve gone through this journey, let’s answer the big question.
The truth is simple.
The name came from the early days when comics were mostly funny strips. Even though they’ve changed and grown, the name never changed. People got used to it, and it stuck.
It’s kind of like calling your pet cat “Puppy.” Although, it might not make sense anymore, but the name becomes part of the story.
Maybe someday the word will evolve again. But for now, it’s still here, and it’s means so much more than just jokes.
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