OGN - Original Graphic Novel

Definition: For the longest time, the term graphic novel was the phrase used for any kind of longer comic book, hard or soft cover. They fell into two categories. One was a collection of previously published material from a comic series and usually had some kind of theme to it. The collected works of Jack Kirby or a story arc of Spider-Man, something like that. The other category were those graphic novels that were never published as a comic book, but where originated to be in the longer graphic novel format. Will Eisner was the pioneer in this, and is considered the father of the graphic novel with such works as "A Contract With God", "Last Day in Vietnam", and "The Plot: The Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion".

Lately, a new term has surfaced to describe those comics that have been created solely to be published in the graphic novel format - OGN, or original graphic novel. This describes any work that has been created with the intent to be published in the graphic novel format and was not previously published as a serial comic book.

Also look at: What is the Difference Between Graphic Novels and Comic Books?

 

What is a comics crossover?

A crossover occurs when characters published by different companies or perceived as belonging to different fictional realities appear in a shared context.

Example: This George Perez illustration below - from JLA/Avengers #3 - shows the mightiest heroes from the DC and Marvel "universes" joining forces to keep the world safe for bean dip.



Note: Tap on the painting to get larger image. (Courtesy of Zach's Comics Art Gallery)

What means 'swiping'?

In the comic book world, there is a common practice known as swiping, which is taking a completed panel from a released comic, changing some details and claiming it as your own. It's like how all the dumb kids would copy the nerd's homework in school and then intentionally make one answer wrong just to throw off the teacher.

It looks a little something like this:

So yeah, those aren't the same images, but the artist on the right clearly used the picture of Storm as a basis and just deleted like, what, eight feet of hair? Nine?

Most of the time, swipes are taken from classic artists who have a lot of panels, are highly regarded and just don't care because they're already at the top of the game.

Here are a few more to show how blatant the whole thing can really be:

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What are the “New 52”?

The “New 52” is an attempt to renew, refresh and perhaps even reboot several major characters within the DC Universe to reconnect with fans, receive new ones, rejuvenate sales and rethink the overall fictional routines of super people in the comic book medium. It’s not exactly wiping the slate clean, but it may seem like it for some characters.