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Graphic Novel Collection Development

+What are graphic novels?

Long comics

Gained popularity after Will Eisner put the term on A Contract with God

Scott McCloud defines “sequential art” in Understanding Comics

Books with panels

+Superhero Comics

Mostly published by DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman) and Marvel (Spider-man, X-men).

Publishers own the characters.

Stories about different characters take place in the same “universe.”

First published as “floppies” and then collected into trade paperbacks (tpb).

+Superhero “Events”

Secret Invasion/Civil War/Death of Capt. America/The Seige

New Heroic Age

Ultimate Spider-Man’s new identity

New 52

Upcoming Films: Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Batman Dark Knight

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+Superhero Strategies

Avoid continuity issues: Invincible

Collect Origin Stories: Marvels, Mythos, Ralph Cosentino and Marvel picture books

Identify standalone titles like All-Star Superman, the color series, Batman Hush, Spider-Man Noir

Focus on important artists: The World’s Greatest Superheroes

Look for Teen characters: Spider-man loves Mary Jane, Teen Titans, Superman: Earth One

+Manga/Manhwa

Reads right to left and usually black and white.

Targets different age groups (shojo, shonen, josei, seinen, etc.).

Series have a beginning and an end, unlike superhero comics that are usually open-ended.

Characters are more stylized or cartoonish, and often distort to show emotion.

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+Recommended Manga/Manhwa

Shonen Jump Magazine

Naruto

DragonBall Z

Full Metal Alchemist

Death Note

Sailor Moon

+Manga Publishers

Tokyo Pop

VIZ Media

Yen Press (Hachette Group)

Kodansha (Del Ray/Random House

+Graphic Novels and Nonfiction

Aren’t necessarily serialized

Often the work of only one or two people

+Publishers I Like

TOON books

Blue Apple (Balloon Toons)

Stone Arch (Capstone)

Top Shelf

Boom! Studios

First Second (:01)

+What else is out there?

Picture books with panels

Hybrid novels

Light novels

Web Comics

Comic strips in newspapers

+Setting Goals

What are your reasons for collecting graphic novels?

How do graphic novels fit into your larger collection development goals?

+Goal Ideas

Accessible versions of the classics, fairytales, and myths

Graphic biographies

American history and other social studies curriculum tie-ins

Beginning readers (follow them up the grades)

Teaching genre

Reluctant readers

Expand art section

+Popular Titles

Smile by Raina Telgemier

Babymouse by Jennifer Holm

Yummy by G. Neri

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

+Selection Criteria

Artistic merit

Durability of the format vs. cost of replacement

Availability of other volumes/replacements

Alternative review sources

+Selection Tools

YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Texas Maverick List

Diamond Book Shelf

ICv2

Wizard

No Flying No Tights

Good Comics for Kids on SLJ website

JLG

GNLIB

+Core Title Lists

Diamond Book Shelf

Good Comics for Kids

Graphic Novel Reporter

+Cataloging Questions

Separate section?

What about nonfiction?

By author, title, series title, publisher, or character?

What about comic-like books in picture book format?

+Tools for teaching about graphic novels

Adventures in Cartooning

Lila and Ecco

Understanding Comics

ReadWriteThink comics creator

Drawing Words Writing Pictures

Graphic Classroom