Some Graphic Novel Basics

• Graphic novels use text and pictures to present information

• Graphic novels use the same format as comic books

• Graphic novels differ from comics in that they usually contain stand-alone stories with complex plots

• Graphic novel is a format, not a genre

Milestones in Graphic Novel World

• 1978-Will Eisner coins term “graphic novel” to distinguish his book A Contract With God from traditional comic books. (Although the term and others similar to it were used previously, this was the GN that facilitated adoption of the term on an “official” level).

Milestones in Graphic Novel World

• 1986- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns written by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics, is released. This reintroduced Batman to the general public in his more psychologically dark 1930s era conception. This new incarnation was “dark” and troubled and ushered in an era of “grim and gritty” superheroes.

Milestones in Graphic Novel World

• 1987- The Watchmen by Alan Moore (illustrated by Dave Gibbons), is published by DC Comics. One of the first superhero graphic novels to present itself as serious literature, it’s the only graphic novel to ever win the Hugo Award. It is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time Magazine’s 2005 list: The 100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to the Present.

Milestones in Graphic Novel World • 1992-Maus: A

Survivor’s Tale written by Art Spielgelman, wins the Pulitzer Prize Special Award for Letters.

Milestones in Graphic Novel World

• 2005-“Graphix” Scholastic’s graphic novel imprint for children is launched.

Milestones in Graphic Novel World

• 2006-Gene Yang’s American Born Chinese is a National Book Award finalist in the category of Young People’s Literature and in 2007 it wins the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in Young Adult literature.

How to read a graphic novel…

A Graphic Novel PagePages consist of a variety of elements

• Panels-squares or rectangles that contain a single scene

• Gutters-space between panels

• Dialogue Balloons-contain communication between/among characters

• Thought Balloons-contain a character’s thoughts

• Captions-contain information about a scene or character

• Sound Effects-visual sound clues i.e.. Wonk! Pow!

Thought Balloon

Sound Effect

Panel

Gutter

Dialogue Balloon

Caption

How to Read a Graphic

Novel Page

Graphic novels are read left to right, just like traditional texts

Dialogue Balloons

Dialogue balloons are read left to right or top to bottom as is appropriate.

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Sometimes it can get a little more complicated…

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3

2

4

But the basic left to right rule still applies to panels

and dialogue balloons as well

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2

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Major Types

Humor

Non-Fiction

Fantasies

Adaptations

Spin-offs

or

Realistic Fiction

Personal Stories