Gleeson Library: Graphic Novels: Graphic Novels

What is a Graphic Novel?

According to the The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English:

Graphic novel..."is a term used to describe a long comic in book form containing a fictional or non-fictional narrative with a thematic unity. Since 1986 graphic novels have become increasingly popular. They are mainly about 50 pages in length, in full colour, and with card covers. Technically, for story-telling purposes, graphic novels depend on the characteristics of a traditional comic: they utilize a weave of text and image rather than a process of simply illustrating the text."

Generally graphic novels are visual art combines with text to tell a story or convey information. The can be narrative, instructive or somewhere in between. There are many subgenres and styles and can be compilations as well as standalone works.

Graphic Novels and Scholarship

Accessibility: Graphic novels can be useful for scholars of a particular subject as well as for a casual reader. The format of a graphic novel makes it accessible for people who either want to become familiar with a subject without having to become a scholar as well as for people who experience accessibility issues with solely text based resources. For scholars, graphic novels present a distinct way to share information that text alone cannot. From memoir to illustrating scientific concepts and processes, information is made real through the combination of text and images.

Graphic Novels and Representation

Publishing a graphic novel is in many ways more accessible to traditionally underrepresented people. For this reason, graphic novels are one of the most useful ways to be exposed to the personal narratives of diverse communities. In burgeoning subgenres like "Graphic Memoir", readers will find many works about the immigrant experience, life during conflict, LGBTQ+ narratives and life as a racial or religious minority. These stories are largely told in the words of those who experienced them. Readers will also find biographies about lesser known historical figures whose legacies would otherwise be forgotten.

Subgenres of Graphic Novel

Click on the images to learn more about the graphic novels in Gleeson's collection.

Fiction

Superhero: featuring traditional tropes of the hero, with or without special powers.

Science Fiction/ Fantasy: science fiction or supernatural characters and worlds, often referring to traditional lore or mythology.

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Character Narratives: character-driven stories that are rooted in life experience.

Book Adaptations: graphic interpretations of classic novels.

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Nonfiction

Graphic Memoir: biographical in nature, these tell stories in the voices of those who experienced it.

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Graphic Biography: stories of someone's life, told by someone other than the subject.

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Informational/ Educational: educational in nature, these can recount historical events or explore concepts and ideas.

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Graphic Medicine: anything from the experience someone has regarding their health and wellness, or information for patients about medicine and health. These can be full-fledged novels or brief comics or brochures.

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