July is graphic novel month, and this year we’re celebrating with the long history of Graphic novels. Graphic novels now have entire sections within chain bookstores and indies alike. With over 16.2 million adult graphic novels sold in 2020, it is undoubtable that graphic novels are solidifying as a prominent literary genre. Written in every genre, graphic novels can appeal to any reader. 

What is a Graphic Novel?  

According to Nova University, graphic novels describe book-length comics. They can be hundreds of pages in length and tell stories over the course of volumes or single novels.  

The main format of comic strips are images designed to tell a story. They can be just a few panels, or several pages, like in comic books.  

Graphic novels are comic books, but they are generally longer. Also, graphic novels are typically stories that are original and never before published. However, there are several graphic novel adaptations of modern books and classics. There are novels in every genre, including nonfiction memoirs.  

How Comic Strips became Graphic Novels 

According to the Public Libraries of Singapore, typical comic strips initially became common in newspapers in the late 19th century. They featured social commentary and humorous strips. In the 1930s, the classic superhero comic strips became popular, spawning an increased interest in longer comic books.  

Richard Kyle coined the term “graphic novel” in a 1964 comics fanzine. However, the term only became popular in 1978 with the success of A Contract With God by Will Eisner. This work was targeted toward adults and was meant to be a literary work instead of the typical superhero comic strips.  

With the 1970s came the rise of malls and corporate chains, and the decline of five-and-dimes and mom-and-pop stores. Comic books primarily were sold through display racks in the smaller stores. The rise of big business meant that new sales avenues had to be explored to keep up with the change. Thus, a greater investment in the graphic novel industry and storytelling.  

The 1980s proved a renaissance for establishing graphic novels, as three titles among many dominated both critically and commercially. The first was Maus, a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel which tells the story of a Holocaust survivor. Second was Watchmen, which depicts an alternate history that uses superhero satire to showcase contemporary worries. The third was Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, telling an alternate Batman storyline, where 55-year-old Batman returns to fight crime. 

Manga 

Manga is style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels for adults and children. Some mangas are based on Japanese animated TV shows called anime. What makes manga different from graphic novels, other than the language and culture, is that the panels are read from right to left.  

In the 12th and 13th centuries, drawings of frogs and rabbits that used drawing techniques to simulate running that are still used in manga today. There were books through the 17th to 19th centuries that emulated the concept of using drawings and texts to tell stories. However, the term manga was only first used by Katsushika Hokusai in 1814 to the title for one of his sketchbooks called Hokusai Manga.  

Manga became sensationalized by the Imperialist government to spread propaganda. After World War II, the Allies prevented propaganda from being published, and the import of US comic books created an explosion in modern manga.  

From there, Tezuka Osamu created Astro Boy in the 1950s, which exploded onto popularity internationally. The aesthetic created within the novel created the modern manga standard, and is still loved internationally and domestically. Tezuka’s impact meant that he quite literally became known as the God of Manga and the Godfather of Anime. Some modern popular manga are Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto, and One Punch-Man.  

Modern Graphic Novel Usage 

Accessibility  

According to Iowa City Public Library, graphic novels prove a useful tool for making reading more accessible to those who struggle with traditional books. Many who struggle with reading, English-language learners, and people with learning disabilities benefit from the broken-up text and visual aid. This helps kids gain the confidence to confront longer and denser books.  

Education 

Further, new research from Northwestern University shows that kids that read graphic novels have more support in understanding sequencing and linear thought, building visual literacy, attention to detail, and reading comprehension. Graphic novels provide a huge support to increasing literacy rates. As a result, teachers of all grade levels are increasingly using graphic novels within their classroom.