Where do you file the Punisher, Raquel?

And graphic novel, as far as I understand it, is just a format term, not a content one -- it's bigger than a comic, with a cover like a paperback, and is (often) a compilation of individual, previously published issues.

Is Constantine more of a superhero than Wes?

Well, he's as super as Zatanna, no, or Dr Strange?

Wesley's not a superhero, but the Halliwell girls are, if that makes any sense.

And yeah, I'm looking at superhero comics, not any other kind. Not the Watchmen, or V for Vendetta, or Preacher

See, but there it is: I'd call Watchmen without a doubt a superhero comic, but not V for Vendetta. Don't know Preacher at all though.

Which brings up another Alan Moore - League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (SO not talking about the movie here), which I think is more of a superhero comic than Hellblazer (where John Constantine is from).

I'd call Watchmen without a doubt a superhero comic, but not V for Vendetta.

So it IS the tights.

I'd file Punisher (heh...typed Pinusher) as a not-superhero, just a normal guy willing to go the extra mile. Unless he's in the old-skool costume with the tights, because tights=superhero.

In ME, Buffy and Angel are superheros, Xander and Giles are not. Willow wasn't and became one.

Well, he's as super as Zatanna, no, or Dr Strange?

Huh, I don't remember Constantine as being as powerful as Dr. Strange, but it has been a LOOONG time since I read those. Strange I always thought of as Willow powerful, but I always pinged Constantine as "knows a few handy tricks, but not about to take down monsters single-hand".

The Buffistas are a bad influence. Sooo many books I haven't read once, and now I want to start digging out my comics.

Played catchup at the comic book store yesterday: I picked up the latest three Y: The Last Mans, the last four Ultimate Spideys, and the the last two Tales of the Vampires...es. I very pointedly steered clear of the Bat-titles, because I spent too much money without them. Besides, Ultimate Spidey is a wee hyper ball of adorablesness.

So it IS the tights.

Well, that's what's cool about V for Vendetta - he wears a mask and a cape, but not so much with the tights.

However, he's in more of a costume than Rorschach in Watchmen (who just had the mask).

Willow wasn't and became one.

I never thought of Willow as a superhero. She had magic powers, yes, but she never went out on her own to fight the good fight, she was always the accompanist.

Though I guess by that definition, the individual members of, say, the Fantastic Four wouldn't be superheroes. When they are. I just never got a superhero vibe from Willow. I don't think I mean "accompanist" in terms of doing, but thinking.

I'd call Watchmen without a doubt a superhero comic

Definitely.

she never went out on her own to fight the good fight, she was always the accompanist.

So a superhero has to be the lead actor and not a sidekick?

I don't see how Watchmen can not be a superhero comic. It's emblematic, ur-, something I can't think of right now.

Constantine's saved the world. What more can I guy do?