Genre and Medium

I think the most frustrating thing about telling people I write comics is that people don't know what comics are. The only experience most of us have is either the strips in the newspaper or the superheroes at the newsstand. Comics have to be either short and funny, long and action-packed, or weird and Japanese.

The confusion comes from one simple misunderstanding. Comics are a medium, not a genre. A medium is simply a manner of communication. A genre is a style of communication. Media of writing include: comics, novels, short stories, essays, creative nonfiction, plays, etc. Genres include: comedy, drama, action, fantasy, science fiction, slice of life, etc.

Any given medium can support any given genre. Many combinations very rarely occur. Sometimes it's for good reason, though. An action play is probably too expensive, if even possible. A slice of life novel could be a marathon of dullness. However, nothing is certain, especially with somebody who is determined. I would challenge any writer to, just as an exercise, try to come up with the most ludicrous combination of genre and medium and try to make it work.