GRAPHIC NOVELS

Probably more than you want to know

• Definition
• Selection Criteria
• Other Things to Consider
• Purchasing
• Web Resources
• Print Resources
• Useful Tip
• Personal Recommendations
• Instructional Uses
  
• Bibliography
• Footnotes
  

Definition:

A graphic novel is basically a long comic book.  It has a stiff spine and can stand upright on the bookshelves.  A comic book is defined as a “medium for expressing information and/or artistic ideas that is defined by images used in a sequence.”[1]  Most graphic novel experts agree that comic books are serial, and graphic novels are stand alone stories, although some of them are anthologies of previously published comic books.  According to the East Greenbush Community Library in New York, the text is peripheral in most graphic novels, and the story is told mainly through the illustrations.[2] 

Selection Criteria: 

1. Age level, target audience, and general suitability.

2. Writing quality, including originality of plot and characters, overall appeal, character development, dialogue, and pacing.

3. Artistic quality, including layout, dramatic impact, storytelling flow, drawing skill, coloring (where relevant), and lettering.

4. Artistic style, especially regarding distinctive styles such as manga or cartoon art.[3]

5.  http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com/selection_criteria.htm  offers “kid-safe criteria”, for elementary, middle and high-school students.

Index

Other Things To Consider:

1. Popularity. Monthly lists of the top-selling graphic novels titles are readily available in fan magazines and trade journals.

2. Tie-ins to TV shows, movies, video games, and toys. 

3. Genre:  Super-hero and fantasy titles continue to be the most prevalent and popular genres, but libraries should consider exploring science fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and other styles.

4. Reputation of writers and artists, many of whom have strong fan followings.

5. Awards and recognition received. Major industry awards include the Eisner, Harvey, and Kirby awards. Significant annual fan awards include the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards and the Usenet "Squiddies."   (My Note:  visit http://users.rcn.com/aardy/comics/awards/  to information and links to the  awards.)

6. Reputation of publisher.

7. Color versus black & white. Newer readers may not be used to b&w comics.[4]

8   Imaginative story lines, interesting characters, and captivating illustrations.[5]

Index

Purchasing:

1.  Several web-sites recommend buying Graphic Novels from a comic book shop.  “Establishing a relationship with a local comic book store can be very beneficial.  The store can recommend titles, notify you of new acquisitions, and sometimes give you a better discount.  To find a store in your area, use the comic book shop locator:  http://csls.diamondcomics.com “[6]

2.  You can also buy direct from some web-sites:

http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/

http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com/

http://www.capstonepress.com/ --advertising history graphic books

http://www.amazon.com

3.  Traditional vendors such as Book Wholesalers, Inc. (BWI), Ingram, Follett, Baker & Taylor, and Scholastic are carrying increasing numbers of graphic novels.  On page 1300 of the March 15 issue of Booklist, Stephanie Zvirin lists several new graphic-novel imprints that are directed specifically toward young readers.[7]

Index

Web Resources:

http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com/links.htm -- professional resources for librarians

http://my.voyager.net/~sraiteri/comicslinks.htm --  links to comics and graphic novel sites compiled by Steve Raiteri, a librarian at the Greene County Public Library in Xenia, Ohio. 

http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2002/collectiondevelopment.htm  --good primer on collection development, also by Steve Raiteri

http://yahelp.suffolk.lib.ny.us/yacomic.html -- comic and graphic novel resources for young adult librarians, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, New York.

http://www.noflyingnotights.com/index.html  -- website reviewing graphic novels for “kids” and for teens.

http://www.ala.org/ala/booklist/speciallists/speciallistsandfeatures3/referenceonweb/graphicnovels.htm  --ALA Reference on the Web site.  Includes more links, in case you think I haven’t listed enough!

http://www.angelfire.com/comics/gnlib/ -- graphic novels listserv.

http://www.ala.org/ala/booklist/speciallists/speciallistsandfeatures1/GraphicNovelsforYouth.htm --top ten graphic novels for youth, by Francisca Goldsmith.

http://www.ala.org/ala/booklinksbucket/graphicnovelsforyounger.htm -- lists graphic novels for elementary school readers.

http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2005/february05/comicbooks.htm  -- includes links for research guides, news and reviews, and organizations and associations; bibliography and collections, online magazines and journals, reference tools and resources.  Includes 4 web-sites “of particular interest to librarians”.

Index

Print Resources:

Getting Graphic!  Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy with Preteens and Teens.  Michele Gorman.  Linworth, 2003.

Understanding Comics.  Scott McCloud.  Perennial Currents, 1994.

"Spotlight on Graphic Novels." Booklist 101.14 (2005): 1277-1308.

Neace, Melissa. "Building a Graphic Novel Collection." Library Media Connection April/May 2005: 52-54.

Index

Useful tip (being also a personal recommendation):

Think about how you will catalogue and shelve graphic novels.   Should they be in their own section, perhaps with “GN”, much the same way we use “FIC”, or should they be integrated by category (fiction, non-fiction, biography, etc) into the collection.  I have seen it both ways, and I recommend the separate section.

Personal Recommendations (being also useful tips):

I would look to the graphic novel reviews in Booklist, School Library Journal, and Library Media Connection.  Also, several of the web-sites listed above include suggestions on getting started with your graphic novel collection development, or include links to articles about getting started, such as this one by Robin Brenner: http://kdla.ky.gov/onlinepubs/selectionotes/AprJune2004/gn_wheretostart.htm.  According to the web-site, Ms. Brenner recently completed her MLS at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; part of her course work involved developing a Readers’ Advisory website for graphic novels.

Instructional Uses:

The first, and seemingly obvious, use for graphic novels in the school library is to inspire reluctant readers.  And to those observers who believe that reading among young adults is on the wane, graphic novels could be just the ticket to attract those young adults back into the school library.  Historical fiction and realistic fiction can tie in to social studies curriculum.  Non-fiction graphic novels can insert some life into social studies and science.  Some classic literature titles are being adapted into graphic novels, which could jump start students’ interest in the classics.   The idea that graphic novels do have instructional uses is supported by this quote from Leslie Bussert in the College and Research Library News:

“Comic books and graphic novels are becoming two of the most pervasive and influential media forms of popular culture. Placed within the context of changing society, comic books and graphic novels entertain and educate, but they have also been instrumental in documenting and interpreting social, historical, and current events.”[8]

    Index

Bibliography

Alba, Jessica. ""What is a graphic novel?"." Artbomb.net. Artbomb. 13 Apr. 2005 http://www.artbomb.net/comics/introgn.jsp.

Bussert, Leslie. "Holy Hyperlinks, Batman!." College and Research Library News Feb 2005. 14 Apr 2005 <http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2005/february05/comicbooks.htm>.

"Graphic Novels for Librarians." East Greenbush Community Library. 13 Apr. 2005 http://www.eastgreenbushlibrary.org/teen/yagn.asp.

Lavin, Michael. "Comic Books For Young Adults: A Guide for Librarians." University at Buffalo: The Libraries. Lockwood Memorial Library. 13 Apr. 2005 http://ublib.buffalo.edu/lml/comics/pages/.