As with any subject, comic books have their own glossary. The following definitions will help a neophyte navigate through a specialty store.

• Ongoing series: A monthly, open-ended comic book.

• Limited series: A monthly comic with a beginning, middle and end. It typically runs 2 to 12 issues.

• Graphic novel: A one-issue publication printed on better paper stock with a large page count, with a minimum of 48 pages.

• Trade paperback: A collection reprinting a set number of monthly issues from a comic title.

• Manga: Japanese publications sold in America using smaller pages with large page counts in black and white.

• Back issues: Previously published comic books typically sold higher than their original prices.