Comic Book or Graphic Novel?

Historically, comics have been around since the 1920s. Originally, they were newspaper strips which eventually became so popular as to warrant their own publications. Thus, comic books were born. But, some may ask, what exactly is a comic book? Well, a comic book is simply a periodical issued on a regular basis that features sequential artwork in addition to the storyline. Comic books didn’t become as explosively popular until Marvel created the first superhero around the start of the second world war. But what then separates a comic book from a graphic novel? Is it just a more sophisticated term used by geeks to justify their hobby as a worthy pursuit? Or is it a snobby way of distinguishing between true artistry and less worthy imitations?

The truth is: all of the above and none of it. Technically speaking, a graphic novel is distinct from a comic book in several ways. First, graphic novels are typically substantially longer than comics. Most graphic novels are comparable in page count to a standard novel, whereas comics more closely resemble magazines.

Furthermore, graphic novels are outside of the realm of comic books by definition, because they are not usually published as periodicals necessarily, as the time required to create, edit, and publish them is significantly longer and often inconsistent. Lastly, though it is probably more a common opinion than a verifiable fact, graphic novels are considered to be more complex and possess more depth in terms of both illustration and plot than the average comic book.

But where did the divide start?

Originally, the term graphic novel had less to do with any technical differences between the styles of publication, and more to do with fan pride. By the 1980’s certain comics had seemed to almost outgrow their category and deserve more prestige than the title “comic book” conveys. Publications like Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen, had storylines that were as complex and thematically rich as any other fictional novel, as well as characters that were developed and dynamic. Despite this distinct separation, it still wasn’t until 2001 that book stores began selling graphic novels as its own genre.

Now, graphic novels have become so prevalent and diverse that there are even nonfiction graphic novels like Persepolis, and many popular book series are being adapted and republished in graphic novel format. Graphic novels are recognised as a legitimate and valuable story-telling medium that bridges the abstraction of art with the traditional literary method of story-telling.