Discover graphic novels

Graphic novels have been around for a long time and have many devoted readers. In fact, graphic novels have their own awards, named after Will Eisner, who coined the name “graphic novel” to identity a “longer work, not published as a pamphlet, with greater permanence and literary merit”. This sets them apart from comics.

Comic books exist primarily for entertainment. A comic is still what it used to be, a slim thing on flimsy paper that is usually published at regular intervals and often has ongoing story elements. Graphic novels are a format, rather than a genre, and can be about almost any topic, including everything from the Holocaust to fractured fairytales to superheroes. Superheroes dominate but manga is the most popular in the YA area. Manga are Japanese comics, noted for characters with big hair and big eyes. Chances are you have seen some examples already (think Pokemon or last year’s movie Howl’s Moving Castle).

Graphic novels are now so prolific that there are books to help identify the best graphic novels as well as books to help understand why they can become so addictive. Paul Gravett’s Graphic Novels: Stories to Change Your Life provides great examples of different styles and ties them together for the reader.

Come visit any branch of the Calgary Public Library to check out our children's, young adult, and adult graphic novel collections.