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 Page
Pages 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!
Caption
Panel
Thought
Balloon
Sound Effect
Dialogue
Balloon
Gutter
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.
1
4
2
3
5
Sometimes it can get
a little more
complicated…
2
1
But the
basic left to
right rule
still applies
to panels
3
4
2
1
and dialogue
balloons as well
3
4
5
6
7
Major Types
Humor
Non-Fiction
Fantasies
Adaptations
or
Spin-offs
Realistic Fiction
Personal
Stories