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Comic Arts

Overview of SDSU's Comic Art Collection

Comic Arts Collection @ SDSU

https://libguides.sdsu.edu/comicarts 

The Comic Arts Collection at the SDSU Library is home to more than 100,000 comics, secondary research about comics and numerous archival collections. The collection is located in numerous locations throughout the Library in print and also includes online resources. Some sources can be checked out for use off-campus; others need to be viewed inside of Special Collections & University Archives.

Comics Corner

Located near Special Collections & University Archives on the 1st floor of Love Library, the Comics Corner concentrates on secondary research about comics, however there are also numerous collected volumes, graphic novels and trade paperbacks available for check out. Books are arranged using the LC Call Number system and can be identified in the Library’s online catalog, OneSearch. The Comics Corner is supported by the generosity of alumni Jack and Laura Sword.

Juvenile Collection

Located on the 4th floor of Love Library, the Juvenile Collection includes numerous comics that are appropriate for K-12 children, but also enjoyed by adults. These comics can be checked out. Books in this section are arranged using the Dewey Decimal System and can be identified in the Library’s online catalog, OneSearch. Just want to browse the shelves? Aim for the 741.5 section. 

Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA)

SCUA materials cannot be checked out, but you are highly encouraged to use them in SCUA’s Reading Room. There are 3 locations for published comics in SCUA:

  • Single Issue Comic Books (i.e. floppy comics) can be identified in the SDSU Comics Hub
    • We are still in the process of cataloging our single issue "floppy" comics so you will not see everything we have in the Hub just yet.
  • Bound comic books, including collected editions and graphic novels, can be identified in the Library’s online catalog, OneSearch.
    • There are thousands more waiting to be cataloged. We're getting there!
  • Comics contained in our Zines and Mini Comics Collection can be identified in the Finding Aid (inventory list) for this collection. 

Online Comics

Check the links in this guide for access to comics online. Non-SDSU users can only access the subscription database inside the library and not remotely, however, some of the online resources are freely available websites. 

Comics Collection Development Policy

Last updated in January 2023