This document discusses the challenges of cataloging comic books for libraries and information professionals. It notes that comics are not made to last and have inconsistent titles, series, and creators. It also highlights various Marvel comic book projects including MarvelDigitalComics, IntellectualPropertyHub, and the Marvel Database Project, which aims to be a useful resource for catalogers by providing metadata on characters, storylines, and more to help navigate the complex world of comic book continuity and titles.

1. Oh! What a tangled web we weave…Where Geeks, librarians and databases collide!Caitlin ArndtPratt SILS27 April 2010Web of Spider-Man # 70

2. Comics are serious businessOver the past 20 years, comics have gained recognition as valuable cultural artifacts.How do we, as Information Professionals, deal with the ultimate in low-culture, high-maintenance materials?

3. So what’s the big deal?Comics are not made to last.Little consistency among titles, series and creatorsSingle Issues, Trade Paperbacks, Digital Comics…ALA Graphics: Batgirl Poster

4. What can Marvel do?Projects to watch out for:MarvelDigitalComics

5. What can Marvel do?Projects to watch out for:MarvelDigitalComicsIntellectualPropertyHub

6. What can Marvel do?Projects to watch out for:MarvelDigitalComicsIntellectualPropertyHubDon’tForgettheLibrary!C.Arndt 2010

7. Desperately seeking Metadata…We turn to…

8. OHOTMUOutdatedLacks useful information for catalogersLots of redundancy

9. Just a few Spidey TitlesNot to mention all the spin-offs and crossovers…

10. It's complicated...Created by: Dean Clayton & Peter Luzifer

11. “Punisher” a.k.a.Frank CastiglioneFrank CastleCharles FortFrancias StrongholdJohnny TowerBig NothingMr. SmithFrank RookAnd that’s just mainstream continuity!

12. One Possible SolutionGo to the geeks!

13. Geek:“A person with an eccentric devotion to a particular interest”(via The New Oxford American Dictionary)

14. Marvel Database Project

15. Any Questions?All Images from Marvel Database Project unless otherwise noted.