Graphic novels are small or long stories described by pictures, either in an experimental design or in a traditional comics format and most of the stories are non-fiction stories. Graphic novels look nicer and more durable than Familiar comic magazine, however; they use the same methods and materials, and also they both generally sold in bookstores. Graphic novels sometimes called long comics books.
The first graphic novel in US was published in 1940s.William Blake is the first western artist who wrote writing with some specific images such as Marriage of Heaven and Hell.
“In 1976, the term “graphic novel” appeared in print to describe three separate works. Bloodstar by Richard Corben (adapted from a story by Robert E. Howard) used the term to define itself on its dust jacket and introduction. George Metzger’s Beyond Time and Again, serialized in underground comics from 1967 to 1972, was subtitled “A Graphic Novel” on the inside title page when collected as a 48-page, black-and-white, hardcover book published by Kyle & Wheary.
The digest-sized Chandler: Red Tide (1976) by Jim Steranko, designed to be sold on newsstands, used the term “graphic novel” in its introduction and “a visual novel” on its cover, although Chandler is more commonly considered an illustrated novel than a work of comics.”(wikipedia)
Today, there are graphic novels suited to all ages, and some that are particularly unsuitable for the young. Japanese cartoon graphic novels is called Manga, which is so popular nowadays and it has its own methods.
Graphic novels are not great for increasing the reading comprehension and vocabulary, however; they provide an approach to reading that reflects the multimedia Nature of today’s Technology centric culture.
“Some in the comics community have objected to the term “graphic novel” on the grounds that it is unnecessary, or that its usage has been corrupted by commercial interests. Writer Alan Moore believes, “It’s a marketing term… that I never had any sympathy with. The term ‘comic’ does just as well for me… The problem is that ‘graphic novel’ just came to mean ‘expensive comic book’ and so what you’d get is people like DC Comics or Marvel Comics—because ‘graphic novels’ were getting some attention, they’d stick six issues of whatever worthless piece of crap they happened to be publishing lately under a glossy cover and call it The She-Hulk Graphic Novel “(wikipedia)
References:
*Graphic Novels. (n.d.). ipl2: Information You Can Trust. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.ipl.org/div/graphicnovels/gnsHistBasics.html
*Graphic novel – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_novel
*Tychinski, S. (n.d.). Diamond Bookshelf | Graphic Novel News, Reviews and Resources for Educators and Librarians – Comics History . Diamond Bookshelf | Graphic Novel News, Reviews and Resources for Educators and Librarians . Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.diamondbookshelf.com/Home/1/1/20/164?articleID=64513
*What are Graphic Novels?. (n.d.). wiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-graphic-novels.htm
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