Graphic Novels vs. Comic Books
As you can already tell, I read a lot of graphic novels. I do not, however, read comic books. When I show people the Graphic novel that I am reading, the normal reaction is “Why are you reading a comic book?” They are not the same thing at all. Graphic Novels have complex plots and characters as would a novel. Whereas a comic book is a periodical told over several issues spanning months or even years with action center plots. They are most definitely not the same thing. I will be discussing both in detail then providing you with some examples of the Graphic Novels in this blog entry!
Similarities between Graphic Novels and Comic Books
- Use Illustrations to tell a story
- Published
- Panel style illustrations
- Target audiences can be Children, YA, and Adults depending on the content
Difference between Graphic Novels and Comic Books:
Stories
Graphic Novels (GN)- Stories are longer and more complex; detailed plot, characters, backgrounds of characters, etc. (Reads like a book)
Comic Books (CB)- Stories are short (sometimes under 22 pages in length). Does not go into depth with characters but more action centered plots
Plot
GN- Story has a beginning, middle, and end- Typically wrapped up in one book
CB- Story is typically periodicals and told over several issues; to be continued to the next issue
Published
GN- Published like a book
CB- Published monthly or serialized
Printed
GN- Books are bound like a book (glued); printed on better paper and color is more vivid
CB- Typically bound with “Saddle Stitching” with staples; printed on cheaper paper with brighter than life colors
Genres
GN- Fiction or non-fiction
CB- Fiction (Superheroes, sci-fi, or cartoons)
Examples of Comic Books:
- Superman
- X-Men
- Spiderman
- Batman
- Avengers
- Comic Magazines (Mad Magazine, Action Comics, etc).
- Manga is a form of both comics and graphic novels (In this case, I am putting it in the comics section).
- Peanuts
Serialized Comic Books but with complex characters and plots (sometimes even published monthly- borders comic books):
- “The Walking Dead” series by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore
- “Saga” series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
- “The Watchmen” series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons & John Higgins
- “Y: The Last Man” series by Brian Vaughan and Pia Guerra
Examples of Graphic Novels (these are merely examples and not the best of GN):
Fiction:
- “Blankets” by Craig Thompson
- Coming of age novel
- “Ghost World” by Daniel Clowes
- “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang
- “This One Summer” by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian
Tamaki
- Coming of age novel
- “Waves” by Ingrid Chabbert and Carole Maurel
- Deals with an abortion
Adaptions of Novels:
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee; Fred Fordham
- “The Lightening Thief” by Rick Riordan; Robert Venditti and Attila Futaki
- “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood; Renee Nault
- “Jane” by Aline McKenna and Ramon K. Perez
- Modern re-telling of “Jane Eyre”
Non-Fiction:
- “The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of
Television” by Koren Shadmi
- Biography
- “Drowned City” by Don Brown
- Hurricane Katrina before and after
- “Thoreau at Walden” by John Porcellino
- Biography
- “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, Justin
Eisinger, and Steven Scott
- Internment Camps WWII
- “March” by Andrew Aydin and John Lewis
- Civil Rights
Historical Fiction:
- “Maus” by Art Spiegelman
- WWII
- “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi
- Growing up in Iran
- “White Bird” by R.J. Palacio
- WWII
- “My Friend, Dahmer” by Derf
- Jeffery Dahmer in his teenage years
Reviewing Graphic Novels:
When I review a graphic novel, it is like a normal book review. The only difference is that I often mention the graphics. Sometimes the graphics and/or the placement of the panels play an important part of my review. I typically place the review on all platforms that I generally place any other novel.
Counting Towards Your Reading Goals:
Yes, I count every Graphic Novel towards my reading goals. I typically read each Graphic Novel as I would a regular novel. Sometimes Graphic Novels take me just as long to read. I like to admire the illustrations but also read the story as I would a typical novel. I knew there will always be people that will never consider this form to be a novel, but I will always count it towards mine!
Drop a comment with your favorite Graphic Novel or Comic Book on this post! Happy Reading, everyone! Thanks for stopping by and reading!