What are Graphic Novels?
The graphic novel is a literary comic book. It is a story that is told
through artwork. Graphic novels have evolved over the years and encompass
more than just the superhero stories. Graphic novels come in many genres:
romance, classics, humour, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, historical
fiction, fairy tales, and reality fiction.
Key Terms:
Comics – Usually refers to the single issue paper-based
books.
Graphic Novels – The entire story illustrated in comic
form. Usually a comic book series is bound together to make the compete
story in this form.
Anime – The Japanese word for animation. The term is used
in English to describe the style of artwork/animation that is produced
in Japan.
Manga – The Japanese word for comics. Japanese “anime”
styled comic book.
Eisner Awards – An award given to the best comic book published
that year.
Popular Titles for Teens
Astro
Boy - Doctor Boyton is the Head for the Ministry of Science; A brilliant
professor who is dedicated to his work. For months, Doctor Boyton has
been trying to create a new type of robot; A robot with a soul, a robot
capable of human emotions. After many failed attempts, his son, Toby,
suggests that his father creates a "boy robot". Inspired by his son's
idea, Doctor Boyton re-launches his research with new found enthusiasm.
Blankets
- This story chronicles Craig's journey from childhood to adulthood,
exploring the people, experiences, and beliefs that he encountered along
the way.
Bone
- Follow the adventures of the three Bone cousins—Fone, Phoney,
and Smiley—as they strike out from Boneville to find their destiny.
Faeries
Landing - Faeries' Landing, a place where the real world and the
faerie realm collide. 16-year-old Ryan doesn't realize that supernatural
beings descend on his town at night, but when he stumbles on the Faerie
Bath, he ends up becoming guardian of Fanta, a grounded - and very fetching
– faerie.
JLA
- Justice league America – All your classic favourite comic heroes
fighting for justice.
Elfquest
- Since the beginning of memory, elves and humans have been bitter enemies
in this nameless, prehistoric world. Near the forest home of a tribe
of elves called the Wolfriders dwells a band of humans who hunt and
sacrifice elves.
Maus
- The story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe,
and his son, a cartoonist who tries to come to terms with his father's
terrifying story ...
The
Tale of One Bad Rat - Helen Potter is escaping a nightmare of sexual
abuse. She's on a journey that takes her through urban and rural England
along the same path that another Potter, Beatrix Potter, once took.
Across the decades, two lives touch, and Helen discovers that the strength
of two is far greater than one.
Fantastic Graphic Novel Authors
Alan
Moore
Jeff
Smith
Neil
Gaiman
Chuck
Dixon
Frank
Miller
