Graphic Novels Discussion

There isn’t a definitive requirements list for establishing what a graphic novel is, and isn’t and I’m sure to offend die-hard fans of the genre so I’ll preempt this description with the declaration that I’m explaining for those who aren’t yet fans…

My Definition: A Graphic Novel is a complete story told through pictures with dialogue and narration in which the character or characters progress through plot points similar to a literary novel. It falls somewhere between an illustrated novel and a serialized comic.

My Graphic Novel Experience:

Great Illustrated Classics introduced me to Ben Hur, Captains Courageous, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Sherlock Holmes, The War of the Worlds and other classics before I ever read the literary originals. These had one black and white drawing per page of writing in the abridged books and kept the tales moving along well. These hooked me on classics (especially adventure classics like Ben Hur and Captains Courageous).

I wasn’t reading superhero comics at the time (I was allowed Archie comics and Sunday comics but that was about it!) so these were my first experience of a story told through words and pictures. I never did become a comic book reader (though I love comic book movies!) likely because I felt too old for the medium once I was allowed to read it. Also, the comic book tales were serialized and not necessarily continued with the same authors or artists so they told short stories with new gimmicks every time rather than one complete story arc. The mythology of the characters becomes well developed (see any of the “[Insert Superhero] Men: The Ultimate Guide” books for references) but the stories themselves aren’t compelling or educational. We get to identify with the characters (teenage angst, isolation, etc) but not grow as a result of their stories.

Then along comes a graphic novel…. Propelled by graphics, yet full of beginning, middle & end story arc(s) that shows uses both the literary media and the graphic one to tell a tale that we take away a great deal more of. Whether memoir or fiction, these stories can move one as much as a book, or inform one where the printed word alone would be ignored.

I don’t remember my first graphic novel, but the one that hooked me on the genre (and made me take it seriously) was The Complete Persepolis , a compendium of Persepolis I & II which chronicled the author’s childhood and teens as a young Iranian woman (In Iran and France). I was blown away… not only did Iranians seem so relatable, but it put the last 30 years of political engagements with the U.S. into a completely different context. This was both the easiest and most engaging way to learn history ever! The author does a great job telling (true) stories as evidenced by her other works as well.

I’ve even discovered a favorite publisher: First Second (now owned by Macmillan) – they seem to have the right combo of story & good graphics for me. Eddie Campbell, Joann Sfar, Gene Luen Yang & others favs of mine are published with them.

So now, I’m a fan, and bound to add my own “Top 10”-ish List to the plethora out there.